IGES/STEP import, projected textures, and resolution Tweet

[gristle]

Downside with exporting as a .STL is that it does not export vertex normals. Then the issue is having really big meshes when they might not be needed (to try and get around smoothing issues), or how the CAD package meshes the model. I know if ProE it can generate some really long skinny triangles which are fine for getting a SLA etc, but not so great for rendering. Especially with a blanket smoothing applied. From memory, I think SW has a more even mesh.

[eobet]

Not to forget that Autodesk Alias products also use this file format for importing/exporting to other CAD packages...

[NickB]

Also an industrial designer.

I have always found IGES to be buggy as there are so many variations on it, but STEP is a modern interchange standard for solids that always gives good results. The CAD software I use will export to STL and OBJ, but requires quite a bit of tweeking of parameters to get good results. My preference would be for STEP, or ASICS SAT. As for paying extra, I would prefer not to, but would be willing to pay a small ($50 - $100) premium for SAT + STEP import.

[eobet]

Wow, first to find this thread at the top of the Google search results ("Octane Step import") and then to see that I already posted in it 7 years ago.

A lot of things have happened in those seven years, but apparently not for Octane. I'm no longer a student and where I work it feels as if Keyshot has reached the end of the line and we're looking for replacements, but I just downloaded the current Octane demo and boy, I guess I'll keep looking. Talk about bare bones still... no import options... no material library... no user friendliness.

(Also, I just wanted to see if I could remember my password to this forum, haha.)