Free STEP viewer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DutchGert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 04:27:10 pm
content: Hi guys,Does anyone know a good, free, offline STEP viewer?I tried STP Viewer (http://stpviewer.com/) but it does not seem to support colors in the STEP files.Also, FreeCAD seems very slow....

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 04:37:06 pm
content: I use STPViewer to double check my CAD exports before sending off to the machine shop. I didn't know you could even store color information in STP files. What are you trying to view?

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 04:45:47 pm
content: I am using the e-drawings feature of Solidworks.There is a free version available but that one may not open STP files, I am not sure.There is also 3D-Viewers, but I am not sure what the free version is limited to.http://3d-viewers.com/

author: DutchGert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 10:17:05 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on October 19, 2016, 04:37:06 pmYes you can, I want to use it to check my 3D output version of the PCB form Altium Designer

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 10:53:23 am
content: Autodesk 123D can import step I think.

author: blackfin76
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 11:18:11 am
content: I use IDA step viewerhttp://www.ida-step.net/

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 12:58:51 pm
content: http://www.freecadweb.org/

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2016, 07:05:16 pm
content: Topic: Free 3D model STEP file viewer I can recommend to customers...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/free-3d-model-step-file-viewer-i-can-recomend-to-customers/

author: gkv311
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 16, 2017, 08:35:25 pm
content: You can try CAD Assistant - free for OS X, Windows, Android and iOS.Supports viewing and converting plenty of formats including STEP with colors:https://www.opencascade.com/content/cad-assistant

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2017, 08:54:14 am
content: Varicad viewer can handle STEP files:https://www.varicad.com/en/home/products/products/

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2017, 11:03:57 am
content: you are using Altium? how about export a 3D PDF?

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2017, 10:50:10 pm
content: Quote from: daqq on January 20, 2017, 08:54:14 am(no login)https://www.varicad.com/userdata/files/release/en/VariCADViewer2017-1.01-EN.exe

author: dalescott
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 08:54:55 pm
content: The current eDrawings reads STEP files and is simple! I have a STEP file for an embedded product (10 top-level product, 60 parts each in a 5-deep hierarchy with re-use of major electronics sub-assemblies). I'm reviewing the design and stepping through the hierarchy. How best to select and hide, or hide others, took some getting used to (and I still don't seem to understand correctly). You can also apparently markup a drawing (possibly to send back to the designer for another iteration) but I haven't tried.First time poster, long time listener (thanks Dave!).Dale

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 11:41:31 am
content: Welcome to the forum.Yes, the eDrawings indeed opens STEP files perfectly.I just got a huge 165 MB STEP file from a customer, the largest file I got so far.It opens in eDrawings right away within seconds.But in Solidworks it needs about 5 min, to analyze all details, before it opens up.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 04:38:59 pm
content: I use FreeCAD as well.Note of caution: it doesn't have the most intuitive workflow. You have been warned.

author: xzswq21
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2019, 07:49:38 am
content: use 3D-tool. the best tools to see 3D filesvery simple and fasthttps://www.3d-tool.com/message me if u want to check it, I can send u.

author: christinarebel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 01, 2019, 04:19:22 pm
content: On Wikifactory, you can view STEP files and a whole range of CAD formats without needing plugins or installs:https://wikifactory.com/Take a look at this VR headset to see how it is viewable even on Mobile:https://wikifactory.com/+wikifactory/north-star-build/file/Assembly/LMC.stepWe breakdown the feature here:https://wikifactory.com/+wikifactory/stories/introducing-our-brand-new-file-visualisation-systemDisclaimer: I am Wikifactory Co-founder

author: emsnickw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2020, 01:54:27 am
content: I found this recently. Works in your browser and no login required.https://www.emachineshop.com/free-online-step-file-viewer/

author: Feynman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 07:03:00 pm
content: I use Design Spark Mechanical for this purpose.

author: GloW
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 15, 2021, 11:44:19 pm
content: You can use F3D to quickly view step files !f3d-app.github.io/f3d/disclaimer: I am a F3D dev

author: rpiloverbd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 11:26:57 am
content: Here you can find various ways of opening a PCB file using offline software like Eagle, Altium etc.:https://www.raypcb.com/open-pcb-files/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2021, 07:23:58 pm
content: Quote from: GloW on December 15, 2021, 11:44:19 pmLooks interesting.. just a question: can it also export step files? What I'm looking for is a tool which can compress / optimise STEP files. The PCB package I'm using produces massive STEP files which IMHO can be significantly optimised.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2021, 08:41:08 am
content: Pains me to say it but I think Fusion360 will import .stp (in fact, I know it will) and re-save as optimised. But the person to ask, to be sure, is beanflying who often regales us with his enjoyment of it and its capabilities.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2021, 08:04:17 pm
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on December 24, 2021, 08:41:08 amFusion360 absolutely imports STP -- I use that feature all the time, as PCB layout programs export in STP.Once the model is in F360 I don't particularly care what the program does with it.

author: Hawaka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2023, 06:36:20 pm
content: If anyone stubble on this thread I just found Mayo as a great stp viewer because of the following:- Color support- Dimensional measurement- offline, no subscription- fast and lighthttps://github.com/fougue/mayo

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2023, 10:03:33 pm
content: Mayo looked OK but is very, very slow. Like 2FPS on an i7-7700 with RX480. And it's not the loaded file that's slow - if a new file is created with nothing in it, the performance (or lack, thereof) is exactly the same.Also tried loading in a DXF from Coreldraw (first one that came to hand). Import progress got stuck at 100% until I manually killed it off.Got potential but needs work, I think.

author: Hawaka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 10:36:26 am
content: Interesting, I've loaded some 40MB stp file (PCB with >200 components) on my work computer (which is no beast at all) and performance was no issue. Panning or zooming was around 15-20 fps

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 10:53:41 am
content: Windows or Linux?

author: Hawaka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 11:13:22 am
content: Win10

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 12:18:30 pm
content: Hmm. Dunno then

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 03:07:14 am
content: Blender perhaps, I THINK it can import STEP, atleast I think some Blender versions will import STEP to let you view it, or maybe will if a plugin is installed.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 03:51:56 am
content: I use FreeCAD, and at least the current version (0.21.1) is pretty fast on my hardware. But does slow down on very large files (>1.0E5 elements)

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 05:58:54 am
content: I do use FreeCAD for that as well.For those who can't use FreeCAD, or just want something that doesn't require any install, you can use this:https://3dviewer.net/works a treat.