This is particularly crucial where the design is intimately matched with a product enclosure that also exposes PCB peripherals such as controls, switches, connectors, and displays. Export STEP filesĪn important function in the data exchange relationship between the ECAD and MCAD worlds is the ability to port the PCB or Multi-board assembly into mechanical design software for the purposes of physical clearance checking.

► Read information on the STEP file format. ► See the the ISO 10303-21 specification web page. Note that both the STEP AP214 and the legacy AP203 formats are supported by Altium Designer – exported files are ISO-10303-21 -compliant (AP214). This provides the basis for the free exchange of high-quality, standardized 3D modeling data between software domains, which simplifies ECAD-MCAD design collaboration and enhances both the quality and accuracy of 3D model data. At the fundamental file exchange level, Altium Designer offers both export and import capabilities for 3D STEP files. The STEP file format itself ( *.step or *.stp) is defined in the ISO 10303-21 (International Organization for Standardization) specification for CAD data exchange and is supported by the majority of MCAD tools and systems. The range of systems and interfaces that bridge the ECAD-MCAD domains also rely on standardized data formats such as the industry ratified STEP protocol ( Standard for Exchange of Product model data), which provides an information-rich, clear text encoded file format for 3D model design data. ► Learn more about Direct ECAD-MCAD Design with Altium CoDesigner.Īltium Designer offers advanced capabilities for interacting with mechanical design systems and software (MCAD) through the active exchange of physical design data.

Learn more about the features included in each Subscription Plan. ► The features available in Altium CoDesigner depends on your Altium Subscription Plan. Working through a connected Workspace, such as an Altium 365 Workspace, CoDesigner can push the board shape and placed components back and forth between your MCAD software and Altium Designer. Note that for supported MCAD packages, it is also possible to transfer the board and components directly between MCAD and ECAD using CoDesigner, Altium's ECAD-to-MCAD connectivity technology.

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