PCB Libraries Forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Libraries > 3D Models
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - STEP to PDF
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

STEP to PDF
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
rarnold View Drop Down
New User
New User


Joined: 27 Sep 2017
Status: Offline
Points: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rarnold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: STEP to PDF
    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?
Back to Top
Back to Top
Tom H View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 05 Jan 2012
Location: San Diego, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 5798 		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)
Stay connected - follow us! X - LinkedIn
Back to Top
rarnold View Drop Down
New User
New User


Joined: 27 Sep 2017
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
MartiniP View Drop Down
New User
New User


Joined: 23 Feb 2020
Status: Offline
Points: 5 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MartiniP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2020 at 2:25am
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. 

Back to Top
Tom H View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 05 Jan 2012
Location: San Diego, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 5798 		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. 
Stay connected - follow us! X - LinkedIn
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.234 seconds.