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STEP export in 8.5


bbuxton

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Hi Brian,

 

Sorry you are having trouble.  Is this only with a specific file, or if you get a New Project, draw a sphere and a cube, and export that, do you have the problem with the New Project as well?

 

If the New Project works but another does not, please send that file to us and either way, let us know which operating system you are using so we can help.

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I tried a rounded cube with a couple of boolean subtractions and it exported ok.

The file was very roughly modelled, though really it is a simple file. I was able to export from v6.7.3

Checking the 6.7.3 step file in another CAD program the Model size exceeds valid box, not sure how to correct this in FormZ prior to export.

 

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  • 2 months later...

Hi R2,

 

We suspect that perhaps you have some bad geometry in the file that is preventing the export.  If you try to export your file 1/2 at a time, can you find the bad part?  (If it does not work, export half of that, etc.)

 

If you can find a part that is preventing the export, please send it so we can handle this better for the future.  (If you need help finding the part, you can send a larger portion if the file, if necessary.)

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Hi R2,

 

Yes, DWG (with Facetted objects as ACIS objects) does work well to Rhino, but the STEP export should work properly too.  If you can send (a part of) the file that is not working, we will investigate this and see what can be done to improve it.

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I had the same problem with a file not being written, when exporting to STEP.

Even with the export selection only option, it did not work.

There were only some 2d drawings (only lines and polylines) in the formZ file other than the objects I wanted to export. (And those were simple test volumes made in formZ - a cube and a cylinder)

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Hi Mkiba,

 

R2 did send in their file and we detected an object with hundreds of crossing faces that was preventing the export.  We are working on adjusting this so such objects don't prevent the export (even if they are quite bad geometry).  If you can send a part of your file that won't export, we can see if our fix for R2's file also fixes yours, or if an additional adjustment is necessary.

 

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Hi Michael,

 

Thanks for posting your file.  Spatial Technology that makes the ACIS engine and the SAT / STEP translator libraries has an issue when any units are larger than 10,000.  Your cylinder is 15,000 cm from the origin, which is greater than that, and thus it is encountering the issue.  We have reported this to Spatial (awhile ago) and are still awaiting a response, since we (and likely you as well) don't think this should be a desirable limitation.

 

If you go to your Project Settings: Working Units and set your base units to Meters (instead of CM), then your cylinder will only be 150 Meters from the origin, and it will export properly.

 

That being said, STEP format is primarily for engineering (parts and assemblies) purposes, and using it for large architectural projects may not be ideal.  DWG may be a better choice -- depending to which program you are exporting.

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  • 1 year later...

Hi,

 

two years later, and the STEP exporter is still broken. Just upgraded to 8.5, first test should be if FormZ finally exports to STEP with group hierarchy intact, and – bummer – it exports nothing. After searching the forum this thread came up, and the problem seems worse now.

 

1. Yes, I've set units to millimeters, and my objects are all within 150 mm from the origin. Result: no STEP file is exported. Setting the working units to meters (with objects that small!) creates a STEP file. Still without groups, of course.

 

2. The export options dialog has "facetted" as the only selectable option. Who on this world would even consider using STEP (and SAT) for *facetted" exports? If I recall correctly, I've reported this bug already with version 7, years ago. The exported geometry is smooth, though.

 

 

Not exactly a successful first test of the new version… :(

 

post-66-0-33867300-1506012979_thumb.png post-66-0-62253800-1506012980_thumb.png

 

Bernd

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Bernd, 

 

This may not be a good or possible workaround for you, but have you tried using Windows/32 bit?

 

No, I haven't, and I don't have a single 32-bit Windows installation in my whole office. I'm primarily working on Mac, and have a few Win 7/64 Pro systems running either via Bootcamp (for CAD) or Paralles (for some DTP and Office apps). However, since FormZ in its latest incarnations still doesn't export hierarchically structured STEP files (independent from OS or working units) it doesn't matter that much. It just confirms that using 6.7.3 still makes sense, it isn't as "outdated" as it sounds. Yes, this version is getting older, but so am I and my computers ;)

 

Bernd

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