: Beyond geometry, they can store assembly hierarchies, part relationships, and sometimes metadata like material properties or tolerances. What are STEP files and how do you open them? - Adobe

A (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data), also known by its ISO designation ISO 10303 , is a neutral 3D CAD exchange format. It is primarily used to share and edit high-precision 3D models across different software platforms, making it an industry standard for engineering, manufacturing, and aerospace. Key Features and Uses

: Files retain "solid" information, allowing users to modify faces and features in a new program, which is significantly easier than editing a raw mesh.

: Unlike mesh formats (like STL), STEP files use NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) to represent 3D geometry as exact mathematical curves rather than faceted triangles.

: Acts as a "bridge" between proprietary CAD systems like SOLIDWORKS (Dassault Systèmes), AutoCAD , and Autodesk Fusion 360 .