Start exploring how easy it can be to manage STEP files by signing up for a free STEP file viewer from Machine Research. Instantly leverage our STEP file viewer and suite of powerful, highly secure, cloud-based products that help with secure file management, as well as quoting and re-using knowledge to speed workflows for manufacturers. Check out the best STEP file viewers (online & offline)! One Step at a Time. 3D Viewer Online. Autodesk Viewer. Autodesk Viewer is a free online viewer for 2D and 3D designs including AutoCAD DWG, DXF, Revit RVT and Inventor IPT, as well as STEP, SolidWorks, CATIA and others.
Start exploring how easy it can be to manage STEP files by signing up for a free STEP file viewer from Machine Research. Instantly leverage our STEP file viewer and suite of powerful, highly secure, cloud-based products that help with secure file management, as well as quoting and re-using knowledge to speed workflows for manufacturers. We also plan to offer ITAR-compliant services for customers that are required to adhere to ITAR regulations. Pay for the functionality you need as a manufacturer, not for expensive tools you don’t.
Machine Research & STEP
STEP is one of the most comprehensive data exchange standards available, and CAD/CAM suppliers and companies of all sizes have gotten behind STEP to exchange pass data from one system to another. Machine Research recognizes that our customers need to view and manage STEP files without having to license expensive CAD systems and struggle with translators. In order to alleviate the pain associated with managing STEP files, we have developed a set of tools that let our customers read view, edit, translate and write STEP files without needing to own a CAD system. Customers can also translate and write STEP files file to several other common manufacturing industry file formats: STL, X_T, IGES, DXF, ACIS, DWG, SAT and more. Machine Research supports STEP AP203, AP214 and AP 242.
STEP - Some Background
ISO 13030, more commonly known as STEP [STandard for the Exchange of Product data], is the most comprehensive and largest collection of standard documents governed by ISO to date (file extensions are .stp or .step). A major need behind the to development of STEP was to expand a product data exchange standard beyond IGES.
The work that resulted in STEP was initiated in 1984 and the first release was published by ISO in 1994. Today, STEP is made up of several hundred ‘Parts’ and more are added annually. The ‘Parts’ or application protocols [APs] most applicable to Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Product Lifecycle Management are: AP203 ‘Configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies’, AP214 ‘Core data for automotive mechanical design processes’, AP242 (a merge of AP203 & AP214) ‘Managed model based 3D engineering’ and ISO 10303 AP238 ‘Application interpreted model for computerized numerical controllers’ or “STEP NC” (a standard striving to replace the G-Code format that’s been around since the dawn of NC machining).
The work that resulted in STEP was initiated in 1984 and the first release was published by ISO in 1994. Today, STEP is made up of several hundred ‘Parts’ and more are added annually. The ‘Parts’ or application protocols [APs] most applicable to Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Product Lifecycle Management are: AP203 ‘Configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies’, AP214 ‘Core data for automotive mechanical design processes’, AP242 (a merge of AP203 & AP214) ‘Managed model based 3D engineering’ and ISO 10303 AP238 ‘Application interpreted model for computerized numerical controllers’ or “STEP NC” (a standard striving to replace the G-Code format that’s been around since the dawn of NC machining).
STEP files (or STP files) are used to design3D diagrams, and special software is required to view them. Using the software, you can rotate, pan, move, zoom, etc your files. You can also view your data from different angles and views too. Here we have compiled a list of free step file viewer software that you can use to view your STEP files.
Depending on the software there are various other features available for you to use.
Contents
- 1 6 Best STEP File Viewer Software
6 Best STEP File Viewer Software
Here are the best STEP file viewer that you can look for.
VariCAD Viewer
Varicad Viewer is a stp file viewer freeware that can be used as a STEP file viewer software. It can convert STEP files to VeriCAD, DWG, IGS and DXF and vice versa. You can also export STEP files as BMP, JPG, PNG, and GIF. You can rotate, zoom, pan and change view of STEP files.
Various viewing options available for you are front, back, top, bottom, left and right. You can switch between 2D and 3D views for STEP files. You can also find options to rotate views around different axes. Some display options let you shade/wireframe entire display, view rotation center to display center, etc.
You can also use it to check and calculate3D distance, distance point plane, 3D coordinates, distance point cylinder, cylinder dimensions and angle between planes.
Some solid calculation options let you calculate volume, surface area, mass, center of gravity, and moment of inertia of 3D models.
FreeCAD
With FreeCAD you can choose different navigational styles to view STEP files from the options Blender, MayaGesture, OpenInventor, Touchpad, CAD, gesture, and OpenCascade.
Different draw styles options are also available where you can see the STP file as it is, view as flat lines, wireframe view, shaded view and points view. You can choose different aspects from the options such as front view, top view, right view, left view, axonometric view, etc. You can also create your view.
One can also be able to zoom, pan, rotate, etc with this stp file viewer. It is also one of the reliable STEP File Viewer Software out there. STEP files can be exported as BREP, BRP, BMS, DAE, SVG, SVGZ, OBJ, DWG, DXF, DXF, UNV, DAT, MED, INP, IGES, IGS, GCODE, TAP, etc.
gCAD3D
gCAD3D can also be used to edit STEP files. The different views available are top, side, front, axo, scal.al and scal.fix. You can choose to display shades, 3D view and select the option to hide and view certain elements.
Here STEP files can be viewed with or without measurement according to your needs. It also allows you view STEP files in either CAD, VWR or MAN form. You can also export STEP files asDXF, CAD, STEP, SVG, IGES, VRML, STL, JPG, OBJ, and TESS.
AutoDesk 123D Design
AutoDesk 123D Design is a simple software that can be used to view STEP files. It is one of the ideal STEP File Viewer Software in the market. It can be in use to perform some minor edits to STEP files.
There are some stp file viewer tools that you can be in use to pan, zoom, move, resize, scale, rotate, align, orbit, fit, and set visibility options for STEP files. You can also insert some shapes into your 3D model and make some small sketches.
Some construction parameters which are available for you can be in use to apply extrude, sweep, revolve, and loft options. The modification options available to use are press pull, tweak, fillet, split solid, etc. Some other options include snap, patterns, combine, grouping, measure and add text according to your needs.
You can export STEP files both as 3D and 2D using this stp viewer software. The 2D formats available for export are SVG, DXF and DWG. In case you want to output the file as 3D you can export them as X3D, STL, SAT, DWG, DXF, SREP, and VRML.
Geomagic Verify Viewers
Geomagic Verify Viewers is a highly useful free software which you can use. You will be able to rotate, zoom or flip your files. You can turn on or off visibility can for different elements.
Different options are available which let you change the viewpoint, choose body display mode and mesh display mode, etc. In the change viewpoint option, you can view the STEP files in various views, like top, bottom, left, right view, etc.
You can use mesh display mode to display the lines that make the STEP files. Some options are available that let you view it in point set, shaded, shaded with edges, region mode, etc.
You can set body display mode to display STEP files as hidden line, shaded, shaded with edges and wireframe. Viewprint option allows you to view the front, right, top, back, left, bottom and isomeric forms of images. You can also add colors to your STEP file as required. You can save the STEP file as XOV file.
How To Open Step File
GOM Inspect
GOM Inspect is a software that can be used as a STEP file viewer. You can specify the options such as triangulation, structure repair mode, filters, coordinate system, etc.
Free Online Step File Viewer
You can also use it to make some edits to STEP files, and you can also create a new project from scratch. Moreover, different options of this stp viewer available let you rotate, move, pan, and zoom STEP files. You can view the data in a conventional view, ISO standard view, perspective, element, change view label, etc.
Several construction options are also available that let you construct point, line, plane, circle, cylinder, cone, sphere, curved surface, any unique shape, slotted hole, rectangle, polygon, section, curve, surface, any unique shape, point cloud, etc. You can also export the STEP files as G3D, PNG, STL, ASCII, POL, PLY, PDF, JT-Open, CSV, VDA/PSET, IGES, etc.
Final Thoughts
What Is A Step File
All in All, this list of STEP File Viewer Software has simplified the choices for you and helped you.