Organization: DMSC (Digital Metrology Standards Consortium).

Year Introduced: 2013, Last Updated: 2020.

Big organization means slow to release new updates quickly.

However, both STEP AP203 and STEP AP214 have deprecated in favor of STEP AP242.

STEP AP242: Merges both STEP 203 & STEP 214 to introduce model-based definition (MBD) workflows.

STEP AP214: Includes STEP AP203 features along with colors, layers, GD&T, and design intent.

STEP AP203: Defines geometry, topology, and configuration management data of solid models for mechanical parts & assemblies.

In regards to mechanical CAD there are three major STEP file formats:

Most CAD software supports importing & exporting STEP files, allowing it to be interoperable between different systems including CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), CAI (computer-aided inspection), and CAE (computer-aided engineering). STEP files are the most widely used & accepted neutral CAD format today, therefore, making it a standard across multiple industries.

Organization: International Organization for Standardization and PDES Inc.

Representation: B-rep (precise) & Vis-rep (approximation).

Year Introduced: 1994, Last Update: 2020.

It's CAD in the age of IoT connectivity and smart data.Ĭapvidia is a leader in CAD translation & validation, especially pertaining to digital transformation and the MBD journey. This enables automation, data insights, and connectivity from design to manufacturing from a single source of truth that is both human and machine readable. MBD CAD files include both the geometry and product manufacturing & quality requirements, which are normally done on 2D drawings.īy combining 2D drawing information into the 3D CAD model, it becomes the authoritative source for a product's lifecycle. that ensure quality and consistency) and that are model-based definition (MBD) ready. Today we look at the best 8 neutral CAD file formats, especially pertaining to mechanical CAD conversion.Ĭapvidia is a firm believer in CAD formats that are standards (e.g. N eutral CAD file formats, however, are interoperable between different CAD software. Native CAD file formats from PTC Creo, Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and others are proprietary and need to be translated & validated for downstream processing.

However, think of the various stakeholders that eventually handle the file:Īll use different CAD software, making interchange difficult for all– especially when geometric information and 3D annotations such as PMI (product manufacturing information) must maintain integrity. CAD (computer-aided design) files are digital files that house 3D & 2D designs as well as information regarding materials, processes, tolerances, and other data.įrom design to production, everything begins with the CAD file.

Autocad file types