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rarnold View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Sep 2017
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    Posted: 27 Sep 2017 at 2:18pm
Is there an easy (and free) way to convert a PCBL generated STEP file to PDF without using a CAD Tool?
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Tom H View Drop Down
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Points: 4791 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tom H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2017 at 2:23pm
A .STEP file is becoming the standard format for 3D model technology, but you need a software program to import it and print PDF. 

SolidWorks has the best PDF print option in the industry. You can open a STEP file and select "File > Save As > PDF" and there are 2 options. 
  1. Plain PDF
  2. 3D Render PDF (click and drag left mouse button to rotate 3D model)
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rarnold View Drop Down
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Points: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rarnold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2017 at 3:57pm
Thanks Tom.  This is good information.
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MartiniP View Drop Down
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Hello Tom!

I don't know if I should have created a new thread in the forum, but I have a question about converting STEP to PDF. Solidworks is no doubt a great and powerful tool for this, but unfortunately it is paid software. 

Is there any other way to do this, free if possible. At the moment I am using the trial version for this: exporting STEP from Artec Studio into demo version of SolidWorks -> PDF files. But the subscription to the trial version will end soon. 

Thank you in advance. 

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Tom H View Drop Down
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Points: 4791 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tom H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2020 at 9:15am
Are you referring to a 3D PDF file to render the component package? 

There is no "Free" software that can do this and there are copyrights on the process of exporting STEP files to a PDF file that can be rendered. SolidWorks is the best software for this process. 

One license of SolidWorks Standard is $3,995. The Annual Subscription service for a standard license, which covers technical support, upgrades, and more for one year, is $1,295.

PCB Libraries, Inc. does not have any plans on developing 3D STEP models to PDF rendering option. We would have to pay a royalty to someone who already developed this technology. 

Everybody wants to get paid and "Free" is very rare for good software. 
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