Export Assembly as STEP

Writes the whole assembly as one STEP file that keeps the structure: every part is a component with its place, and subassemblies are nested. Use it to hand the assembly to someone with other CAD software. It needs the Advanced plan or higher.

What you get: one STEP file named after the assembly (Assembly1.step for a new one), with every part as a component in the place it has here and subassemblies nested, ready for other CAD software.

When to Use It

• Send a finished assembly to a customer or a shop
• Move your assembly into other CAD software
• Keep a STEP copy for your records

Step by Step

1. Open the assembly (saved or not). It needs at least one component.
2. Click File, point to Export (or click it), then click Assembly as STEP. The item only shows while an assembly is open.
3. A loading message counts through the models: "Reading the parts..." then "Reading part N of M..." then "Writing the STEP file..."
4. Your browser downloads the file. It is named after the assembly, with spaces and odd characters changed to underscores, and ends in .step. For example, Table Frame becomes Table_Frame.step.
5. A message says how many components were written, for example "Assembly exported as STEP: 3 components, each placed as it is here."

Options

There are no boxes to fill in. On a plan below Advanced the menu item is grayed. What the file holds:

• One component for every placed part, with the same placement it has in the assembly.
• Subassemblies as nested products.
• Pattern copies, each as a component.
• Hidden components too. Hiding does not leave a part out.
• Units: the file is written in inches when your display unit is inches or feet, and in millimeters otherwise.

Tips

• Only parts that are STEP models can be written. Others are left out, and the message names them: "Left out (not STEP models or not readable): <names>."
• Each distinct model is read once, even if you placed it ten times.
• Mates aren't written. The parts are put where the mates left them.
• To export a single part instead, see Exporting Parts, Faces and Files.

Common Mistakes and Messages

• "Export an assembly as STEP on the Advanced plan or higher." Your plan does not include exports.
• "Start or open an assembly first." No assembly is open.
• "This assembly has no components yet." Insert a part first; see Insert Components.
• "The owner of this model has not allowed exports." A shared assembly follows its share's Exports setting.
• "Could not export the assembly as STEP: none of the parts is a STEP model, so there is nothing to write" Every part came from a mesh file (STL, OBJ, 3MF). Replace them with STEP models.
• "Could not export the assembly as STEP: Could not read a part" or similar. Check your connection and try again.

Related

• Assemblies: STEP Assemblies
• Used Parts
• Bill of Materials
• Export This Part as STEP