step file export/import (bug?)

ryan_scott341
ryan_scott341 Member Posts: 2 ✭
in Community Support
I created a fairly simple design consisting solely of various parts of a sketch being rotated 360 degrees to create parts. When I export to a step file, and then import that step file back in, I have parts that don't generate properly because of "faulty topology". Is this a bug? Or is there something I can do to prevent this error on import? It just seems weird that Onshape knows how to export the file without error, but not import it. 
I've included the errored import with the original part studio here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/10190cf80ee93d17bf206b73/w/3c3f08f6291a6a35053a112b/e/7c6439efc48ff89860b99d65

Answers

  • S1mon
    S1mon Member Posts: 4,588 PRO
    Parasolid is the native kernel of Onshape. If you export to Parasolid and import, you should never have an issue. STEP is not native. 

    Simon Gatrall | Product Development, Engineering, Design, Onshape | Ex- IDEO, PCH, Unagi, Carbon | LinkedIn

  • eric_pesty
    eric_pesty Member, pcbaevp Posts: 2,905 PRO
    @S1mon
    is correct, Parasolid is the preferred option...
    However, this does seem like a bug: at the very least Onshape should be able to read back a STEP file it exported without error!

    Maybe a more relevant question for @ryan_scott341: why are you doing this in the first place? I would thing using a "Derive" feature would make more sense... 
    I also just noticed some of these parts are very tiny and I wonder if that could be part of the problem (not sure what's the smallest "resolution" of a STEP file is):

  • NeilCooke
    NeilCooke Moderator, Onshape Employees Posts: 6,116 image
    That’s 2 microns so very likely the reason. 
    Senior Director, Technical Services, EMEA

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