STEP Import for SketchUp is a plug-in for Google SketchUp®. This plug-in gives SketchUp the ability to import solid objects from STEP files.
STEP files contain graphical data in the form widely accepted by most CAD/CAM systems. STEP Import for SketchUp converts this geometric data into corresponding SketchUp entities and adds them to the contents of the currently opened SketchUp drawing. Solids and surfaces in an STEP file are tessellated and imported into SketchUp as mesh objects.
STEP Import for SketchUp is very easy to use. Once installed, it automatically loads itself into SketchUp and adds a new submenu called "STEP Import for SketchUp" to the SketchUp Plugins menu.
The 'STEPImport' menu consists of the following commands:
# Import - Imports an STEP file
# Help - Displays the STEP Import for SketchUp help file
# Register - Registers your copy of STEP Import for SketchUp
# About - Displays the STEP Import for SketchUp About box
STEP Import for SketchUp comes with detailed documentation for each command as well as a tutorial to get you started in the shortest possible time.
The STEP File Format
ISO 10303 is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of industrial product data. Its official title is Industrial automation systems and integration - Product data representation and exchange, and it is also known as STEP or the Standard for the Exchange of Product model data. The standard's objective is to provide a mechanism that is capable of describing product data throughout the life cycle of a product, independent from any particular system. The nature of this description makes it suitable not only for neutral file exchange, but also as a basis for implementing and sharing product databases and archiving.