Ideal for a bunch of design tasks from 3D modeling and rendering to transferring and validating designs, STEP is the Swiss army knife of CAD file formats. Thanks to STEP’s mathematical precision and compatibility with most CAD software, you can easily share and edit your 3D models on multiple devices. The following article tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the STEP file format, such as:

• What is STEP?
• What is a STEP file used for?
• How can you edit and share STEP files in Shapr3D?
• How can you use STEP files for Visualization?

Read on to get the gist of STEP files for your 3D models.

‍What’s a STEP file?

Abbreviated from Standard for the Exchange of Product Data, STEP is a standardized exchange file format in the world of CAD. It’s compatible with a wide range of software, so you can easily export, share, import, and edit your 3D models as STEP files. Part of STEP’s superpower is that even though it’s made up of plain text, it contains all three-dimensional model data and appears as a 3D model in CAD programs. It’s a super precise file format, ideal for saving every detail of your design.

Did you know? Categorized as ISO 10303 standards, STEP files can also be called STP. You can use file extensions .step and .stp interchangeably – Shapr3D supports both of them.

What is a STEP file used for?

In short, STEP is the most commonly used file format for transferring 3D models, especially in those areas where pinpoint precision is key, such as manufacturing, validating, and engineering simulations. Unlike STL files where your model’s surface is represented as polygons, STEP files save more than just basic geometries. They use NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline, which is the mathematically precise representation of splines) to hold all 3D components accurately, which makes file transfer super smooth.

Thanks to STEP’s accuracy and interoperability, its two main use cases are sharing and editing 3D models across users and CAD software without a hitch. Let’s see how!

Share your STEP files

Back in the ‘80s, the STEP file format was specifically developed to make file sharing easy across various CAD programs. Today, it’s a widely supported format in the 3D modeling industry: most programs can open 3D models stored as STEP files with perfect precision to the last data point. But STEP files are not just for saving and viewing models – they allow for modification, as well.

You can easily import STEP files to Shapr3D

Edit your STEP files

Since STEP files store the accurate geometry of a 3D model, you can go back to editing every time you need to. Contrary to an STL file that works as a mesh model, using STEP files means that all curves and splines remain smooth. No matter how many times you save and share it, you can always open and modify it again without losing geometric details. With all data saved and stored precisely, the STEP file format also enhances collaboration with your team.

Editing STEP files is super easy in Shapr3D

How can you use STEP files in Shapr3D?

There’s no secret here, you don’t need to take any extra step to excel at its usage (pun intended). Importing a STEP file to Shapr3D is super easy. Once opened in the app, you can edit and modify it just like any other CAD model – using the intuitive direct modeling tools. And Shapr3D’s adaptive UI will be by your side from the first tweak to the last edit, predicting your next move.Once done, simply tap “Export” and save it as a STEP file. Or if you want to 3D print your model, you can easily convert it into an STL file.

Once you’re done with editing your 3D model in Shapr3D, save it as a STEP file and share it with your team.

Showcase your STEP files in Shapr3D

A STEP file may take up a lot of space and store the complete 3D body of your model, but even this complex file format is not able to keep the material and the texture of your design. To save you from the trouble of constantly going back and forth between your CAD and rendering programs, Shapr3D has recently launched its built-in Visualization tool. It only takes a flick of a finger to add realistic materials to your model, in real time.Once your design is ready, tap Visualization in the toolbar, and pick and choose from metallics, plastics, wooden and glass textures, or a handful of brushed and polished finishes. Preview as many as you like, and then go back to designing. Make an edit or two, or completely redo your product, and visualize it again, without leaving the app.

Add realistic materials to your model with Shapr3D’s built-in Visualization tool