STEP exporter

STEP is the current standard for exchange of CAD data between different software packages. BRL-CAD makes use of the STEPcode libraries to support import and export of STEP files, but STEP is a very large standard and there is a lot of additional work to be done.

For this project, there's a lot of directions that can be taken:

• We usually export Brep geometry since that is what AP203 supports, but newer STEP standards (AP214, AP242) also support a number of geometric primitives. We also don't currently support exporting mesh geometry (triangle or polygon based) and that's something we need to support, even if STEP isn't really a traditional container for triangle meshes.

• We don't do much about trying to preserve our attribute metadata currently - explore what options are available for doing so.

• Undoubtedly many more possibilities.

There are three relevant standards: AP203, AP214, and the in-development AP242. A number of useful resources are listed below.

References

• src/conv/step
  • this is where the current step-g importers and exporters resides
• src/other/step
  • this is STEPcode

• Recommended Practices for AP203
  • http://www.steptools.com/support/stdev_docs/express/ap203/recprac203v8.pdf
• Usage Guide for the STEP PDM Schema V1.2
  • http://www.steptools.com/support/stdev_docs/express/pdm/pdmug_release4_3.pdf

Requirements

• Familiarity with C++