How do you convert a .STEP file to use with LDraw?

[ArloB]

My question might be totally "n00b" but I have a .STEP file that I found and need to use it with LDraw software or with the Bricklink Stud.io in a 3D model that I built for my students.

How do you convert the .STEP file to another format that I could import? Or is there a series of steps to get to this process?

I would really appreciate your help. Thank you.

[Steffen]

what is a .step file?
can you point us to the application that produced it?
or what file format it contains?
when googling, I found various results, so I'm unclear about what application has produced your file.

[ArloB]

what is a .step file?
can you point us to the application that produced it?
or what file format it contains?
when googling, I found various results, so I'm unclear about what application has produced your file.

Hi, Steffen. Thanks for replying.

A step file is made in some type of CAD software to create a 3D model to use in a 3D printer for instance.
Here is an example of what I am referring to:
https://grabcad.com/library/rotacaster-4...lego-hub-1

[Philippe Hurbain]

My question might be totally "n00b" but I have a .STEP file that I found and need to use it with LDraw software or with the Bricklink Stud.io in a 3D model that I built for my students.

How do you convert the .STEP file to another format that I could import? Or is there a series of steps to get to this process?

I would really appreciate your help. Thank you.

I stumbled on this problem some time ago, and had a hard time finding a converter not costing an arm... Here is the process I use:
- Download and install FreeCAD https://www.freecadweb.org/
- Open your STEP file in FreeCAD
- Switch FreeCAD to mesh design mode
- Meshes -> Create mesh from shape (option: standard meshing)
- Select the meshed result, then meshes -> export mesh -> ASCII STL (*.stl)
- Convert the resulting stl to LDraw file using stl2dat (https://sourceforge.net/projects/stl2dat/)

stl2dat is also included in LETGUI distribution that has the benefit of providing a GUI around command line tools (http://ldraw.heidemann.org/index.php?page=letgui)

Feel free to ask if you need more details!

[ArloB]

My question might be totally "n00b" but I have a .STEP file that I found and need to use it with LDraw software or with the Bricklink Stud.io in a 3D model that I built for my students.

How do you convert the .STEP file to another format that I could import? Or is there a series of steps to get to this process?

I would really appreciate your help. Thank you.

I stumbled on this problem some time ago, and had a hard time finding a converter not costing an arm... Here is the process I use:
- Download and install FreeCAD https://www.freecadweb.org/
- Open your STEP file in FreeCAD
- Switch FreeCAD to mesh design mode
- Meshes -> Create mesh from shape (option: standard meshing)
- Select the meshed result, then meshes -> export mesh -> ASCII STL (*.stl)
- Convert the resulting stl to LDraw file using stl2dat (https://sourceforge.net/projects/stl2dat/)

stl2dat is also included in LETGUI distribution that has the benefit of providing a GUI around command line tools (http://ldraw.heidemann.org/index.php?page=letgui)

Feel free to ask if you need more details!

Hi, Philippe. I am trying this right now and downloaded everything. Thank you so much!!

[Aidan Blake]

I stumbled on this problem some time ago, and had a hard time finding a converter not costing an arm... Here is the process I use:
- Download and install FreeCAD https://www.freecadweb.org/
- Open your STEP file in FreeCAD
- Switch FreeCAD to mesh design mode
- Meshes -> Create mesh from shape (option: standard meshing)
- Select the meshed result, then meshes -> export mesh -> ASCII STL (*.stl)
- Convert the resulting stl to LDraw file using stl2dat (https://sourceforge.net/projects/stl2dat/)

stl2dat is also included in LETGUI distribution that has the benefit of providing a GUI around command line tools (http://ldraw.heidemann.org/index.php?page=letgui)

Feel free to ask if you need more details!

Thanks a lot! Your method works for me too because I use Artec Studio and it supports .stl file format. But what if I have .obj files also? Any tips you might have to give?

Aidan.

[Philippe Hurbain]

Thanks a lot! Your method works for me too because I use Artec Studio and it supports .stl file format. But what if I have .obj files also? Any tips you might have to give?

Convert first the .obj to .stl, then use stl2dat. This should be easy since both stl and obj file format are extremely common and available for most tools.