Convert STEP to U3D

What is STEP file?

The STEP (.STP) file format is a widely-adopted 3D model standard used by major CAD programs and software packages, such as SOLIDWORKS, and the Autodesk® Inventor® suite. It is designed to accurately represent precise three-dimensional shapes of physical objects, which makes it an ideal format for the transfer and storage of designs between CAD applications and engineering systems. [ ⏩ ] STEP file extension

What is U3D file?

U3D is a .U3D file format which is developed by Autodesk and standardized by the 3D Industry Forum. This format is primarily used for representing 3D data in a compressed binary format, and it is compatible with several applications that allow 3D objects to be used more widely. This file format enables data interchange between various applications and devices, and can also be used for compressing large 3D models to keep download times reasonable. [ ⏩ ] U3D file extension

How to convert the file from STEP to U3D?

To successfully convert the STEP file to U3D, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.STEP). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case U3D (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than U3D).

What is a file conversion?

A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. STEP to U3D. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.

Program for converting STEP files to U3D files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension U3D, while before this step we had the STEP file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new U3D file, or not.

Other STEP and U3D file conversions