When working with CAD-neutral files such as STEP files, it’s often more efficient to open them in an assembly environment. We’ve discussed this approach for STEP assembly files in a previous post: Turn STEP Files into Open Parts in SOLIDWORKS.
However, what if you’re dealing with a single STEP file that contains multiple bodies?
In such cases, you can adjust the assembly mapping settings in Options > System Options > Import. Set the dropdown menu under File Format to STEP, IGES, and ACIS, then modify the Assembly Structure Mapping settings. Here’s what the options mean:
- Default (As per the file): Retains the assembly structure from the file without additional processing.
- Import multiple bodies as parts: Creates an assembly if the imported file contains a multibody part.
- Import assembly as multiple body part: Ignores the original assembly structure and imports it as a single multibody part in SOLIDWORKS.
For a single STEP file with multiple bodies, selecting the Import multiple bodies as parts option makes it easier to manage the bodies in an assembly environment. This setting also lets you take advantage of new features in SOLIDWORKS 2024, such as Filter Out STEP File Components in SOLIDWORKS.
Steps to Use This Method
- In the Open dialog, select the STEP file with multiple bodies (indicated by the red arrow in the interface).
- Click Options (indicated by the blue arrow).
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Set the File Import dropdown menu to STEP/IGES/ACIS.
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Check the box for Import multiple bodies as parts in the Options section, and click OK.
- Select Open in the Open menu.
- If prompted, choose the appropriate part and assembly templates.
- The file will be opened in assembly, where multiple bodies are listed as parts.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to efficiently work with single STEP files containing multiple bodies in SOLIDWORKS, simplifying the management and editing process in an assembly environment.