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Is there an easy way to check that your step exported correctly?

Question asked by Carrie Ives on Apr 18, 2018
Latest reply on Mar 25, 2019 by Carrie Ives

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We create step files to send to suppliers. Recently, one of our step files exported without the drafts included. We discovered this while reviewing the tool design. On this particular part, we do not get an accurate step file. It is able to export a good parasolid file. (We checked by opening the step file and looking at it compared to the original model. There were obvious surface differences. It is a solid part with one body.)

We are using SolidWorks 2016. We have verification on rebuild turned on.

Have you ever seen something like this?

Do you check your step files after you create them to make sure they are accurate? If so, how do you do this?

We currently save our step files with a macro.

Thanks,

Carrie

Carrie Ives Mar 27, 2019 5:23 PM

Correct Answer

Turns out the problem was partially user error. The draft surfaces were missing from STEP because they were not in the SLDPRT. We had the split line in the SLDPRT but hadn't added the drafts we were sure where there.

If there is a split line on a surface but other than that, it would be one surface, the STEP export does not have the split line. So, if we had compared the geometry of the step to our SLDPRT, we would have found that difference in the surfaces. This would have lead to us noticing that the draft wasn't included. (The split line was there but the drafts to each side of it weren't.)

I have written a macro for the compare. We have a save as STEP macro that saves to a particular file location with the revision information. The compare macro starts with an open SLDPRT file. It uses that file to find the STEP file that has the same revision. It saves the STEP file to a temporary SLDPRT. I used the help example on comparing geometry and have it compare my original SLDPRT with my temporary SLDPRT that was STEP. The results of the volume and face check get stored in a report that can be reviewed.

Things of note:

I used LoadFile4 to open the step file.

A successful compare (volume or faces) is not the same thing as identical parts. I changed the message window to let the user know that.

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Mahir Abrahim Apr 18, 2018 11:42 AM

That's pretty strange. Translation errors are usually in the form of a bad surface which leads to non-manifold geometry (bunch of surfaces instead of a solid volume). My gut tells me the draft feature was inadvertently suppressed when the Step file was created. If the error was in the step translation, it wouldn't be as specific as drafted surfaces suddenly becoming undrafted.

But that doesn't help answer your question. The easiest way I can think of to verify Step translation is to compare part volume between the SW part and re-imported Step file. SolidWorks also has a Compare Documents function (Tools>Compare) that lets you compare the geometry of two files. Hope that helps.

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Richard Gergely @ Mahir Abrahim on Apr 18, 2018 11:50 AM

Yes funky things can happen without a rebuild or a save all. Also as you mention if the geometry is not perfect it would appear to translate in Step worse than parasolid.

I have noticed that if you don't ensure you saved the files exactly as you want it on occasions the Step export reverts to the last save of the file. So a very basic example is a item may be hidden on the last save but has since been changed to visible but because the assembly wasn't save in that state the export has then item missed the item.

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Carrie Ives Apr 18, 2018 11:55 AM

Of further note, we saved a new step file today and got similar results. That's when we tried the parasolid. The missing features are not suppressed. It has been several weeks since the original step file was sent out for tool design.

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Richard Gergely @ Carrie Ives on Apr 18, 2018 2:24 PM

Maybe going into a bit more depth on this will help to narrow where exactly the problem is originating from.

was the component model originally imported into solidworks or modelled in solidworks?

were the drafts added to the component model or were they in the tool design?

what exactly is the size of the draft missing. Is it tiny like 0.5 degree over 5mm or large like 5 degree over 50mm?

have you tried not knitting surfaces when re-importing the culprit Step file and does it look like there is some draft but the knitting eliminates it?

Edit

Have you tried renaming the part and the step file that are the problem - this is relevant if the step file was ever made previously in the state with no drafts as you describe.

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Carrie Ives @ Richard Gergely on Apr 18, 2018 3:01 PM

The original part was modeled in SolidWorks. Drafts were added in SolidWorks. It is a fairly small part with small surfaces. It's supposed to have 1 degree draft over a 2mm surface. (2mm to each side) There is a split line, but it looks like the draft isn't there. When we reimport the step, we lose the split line for sure. I haven't gotten to look at the original step file we sent out. I don't think I can attached the file.

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Ruben Balderrama Apr 18, 2018 12:25 PM

There is a topic with the exportation of mathematical files

Surfaces the best choice is IGS (default configuration)

Solids could use * .SAT (to AutoCAD) STEP (any CAD system) * .XT (to other SW)

It is feasible for IGS to export solids as well, but the translator must be setup.

Deepak Gupta give me one macro very usefull for STEP 2014

It would be necessary verify the mathematical file if it doesn't have any errors, perhaps that's it as a result a wrong translation.

Attachments

SaveSTEP214Color.zip19.6 KB

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Ruben Balderrama Apr 18, 2018 2:33 PM

Could you attach your file?

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Dan Pihlaja Apr 18, 2018 2:37 PM

I generally re-import any files that I export just to make sure that they cam through ok.

Question:

Can you export the parasolid, then import the parasolid, then export that file as STEP?

I have heard of this working because it takes out the extra calculating rebuild "gunk" (technical term) that sometimes makes step files get stuck.

Actions

Carrie Ives @ Dan Pihlaja on Apr 18, 2018 2:45 PM

Dan Pihlaja - Do you manually re-import and inspect after you have exported? Do you use part compare, or just check that it mostly looks good?

Actions

Dan Pihlaja @ Carrie Ives on Apr 18, 2018 2:52 PM

If the part is complicated, then I will run a part compare. If not, then just a glance to see that the part doesn't have missing surfaces is generally sufficient.

Actions

Carrie Ives Mar 27, 2019 5:23 PM

Things of note:

I used LoadFile4 to open the step file.

A successful compare (volume or faces) is not the same thing as identical parts. I changed the message window to let the user know that.

Actions

11 Replies

Mahir Abrahim Apr 18, 2018 11:42 AM
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Correct Answer
That's pretty strange. Translation errors are usually in the form of a bad surface which leads to non-manifold geometry (bunch of surfaces instead of a solid volume). My gut tells me the draft feature was inadvertently suppressed when the Step file was created. If the error was in the step translation, it wouldn't be as specific as drafted surfaces suddenly becoming undrafted.

But that doesn't help answer your question. The easiest way I can think of to verify Step translation is to compare part volume between the SW part and re-imported Step file. SolidWorks also has a Compare Documents function (Tools>Compare) that lets you compare the geometry of two files. Hope that helps.
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- Richard Gergely @ Mahir Abrahim on Apr 18, 2018 11:50 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Yes funky things can happen without a rebuild or a save all. Also as you mention if the geometry is not perfect it would appear to translate in Step worse than parasolid.
  
  I have noticed that if you don't ensure you saved the files exactly as you want it on occasions the Step export reverts to the last save of the file. So a very basic example is a item may be hidden on the last save but has since been changed to visible but because the assembly wasn't save in that state the export has then item missed the item.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
Carrie Ives Apr 18, 2018 11:55 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Of further note, we saved a new step file today and got similar results. That's when we tried the parasolid. The missing features are not suppressed. It has been several weeks since the original step file was sent out for tool design.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- Richard Gergely @ Carrie Ives on Apr 18, 2018 2:24 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Maybe going into a bit more depth on this will help to narrow where exactly the problem is originating from.
  
  So
  was the component model originally imported into solidworks or modelled in solidworks?
  were the drafts added to the component model or were they in the tool design?
  what exactly is the size of the draft missing. Is it tiny like 0.5 degree over 5mm or large like 5 degree over 50mm?
  have you tried not knitting surfaces when re-importing the culprit Step file and does it look like there is some draft but the knitting eliminates it?
  
  Edit
  Have you tried renaming the part and the step file that are the problem - this is relevant if the step file was ever made previously in the state with no drafts as you describe.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Carrie Ives @ Richard Gergely on Apr 18, 2018 3:01 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    The original part was modeled in SolidWorks. Drafts were added in SolidWorks. It is a fairly small part with small surfaces. It's supposed to have 1 degree draft over a 2mm surface. (2mm to each side) There is a split line, but it looks like the draft isn't there. When we reimport the step, we lose the split line for sure. I haven't gotten to look at the original step file we sent out. I don't think I can attached the file.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
    Actions
Ruben Balderrama Apr 18, 2018 12:25 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
There is a topic with the exportation of mathematical files
Surfaces the best choice is IGS (default configuration)
Solids could use * .SAT (to AutoCAD) STEP (any CAD system) * .XT (to other SW)
It is feasible for IGS to export solids as well, but the translator must be setup.
Deepak Gupta give me one macro very usefull for STEP 2014
It would be necessary verify the mathematical file if it doesn't have any errors, perhaps that's it as a result a wrong translation.
Attachments
- SaveSTEP214Color.zip19.6 KB
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Ruben Balderrama Apr 18, 2018 2:33 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Could you attach your file?
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Dan Pihlaja Apr 18, 2018 2:37 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I generally re-import any files that I export just to make sure that they cam through ok.

Question:
Can you export the parasolid, then import the parasolid, then export that file as STEP?

I have heard of this working because it takes out the extra calculating rebuild "gunk" (technical term) that sometimes makes step files get stuck.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- Carrie Ives @ Dan Pihlaja on Apr 18, 2018 2:45 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Dan Pihlaja - Do you manually re-import and inspect after you have exported? Do you use part compare, or just check that it mostly looks good?
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Dan Pihlaja @ Carrie Ives on Apr 18, 2018 2:52 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    If the part is complicated, then I will run a part compare. If not, then just a glance to see that the part doesn't have missing surfaces is generally sufficient.
    Like • Show 2 Likes2
    Actions
Carrie Ives Mar 27, 2019 5:23 PM
Unmark Correct
Correct Answer
Turns out the problem was partially user error. The draft surfaces were missing from STEP because they were not in the SLDPRT. We had the split line in the SLDPRT but hadn't added the drafts we were sure where there.

If there is a split line on a surface but other than that, it would be one surface, the STEP export does not have the split line. So, if we had compared the geometry of the step to our SLDPRT, we would have found that difference in the surfaces. This would have lead to us noticing that the draft wasn't included. (The split line was there but the drafts to each side of it weren't.)

I have written a macro for the compare. We have a save as STEP macro that saves to a particular file location with the revision information. The compare macro starts with an open SLDPRT file. It uses that file to find the STEP file that has the same revision. It saves the STEP file to a temporary SLDPRT. I used the help example on comparing geometry and have it compare my original SLDPRT with my temporary SLDPRT that was STEP. The results of the volume and face check get stored in a report that can be reviewed.

Things of note:
I used LoadFile4 to open the step file.
A successful compare (volume or faces) is not the same thing as identical parts. I changed the message window to let the user know that.
Like • Show 3 Likes3
Actions

Is there an easy way to check that your step exported correctly?

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