STEP
STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) is an ISO standard (ISO 10303) for 3D CAD data exchange. LinkCAD imports STEP files and extracts 2D cross-sections for conversion to IC layout formats.
Format Summary
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .stp, .step |
| Encoding | ASCII / Binary |
| Import | |
| Export | — |
| License | 3D Modeler |
| Layers | Mapped from 3D body/face properties |
Import Options
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing plane | Z-height at which to extract 2D cross-sections | 0.0 |
| Tolerance | Gap tolerance for geometry extraction | Auto |
How It Works
LinkCAD reads the 3D BREP (Boundary Representation) geometry from a STEP file and produces 2D polygons by:
- Slicing the 3D model at a specified Z-plane
- Projecting the resulting cross-section boundaries to 2D
- Converting the boundaries to closed polygons
This is particularly useful for extracting device footprints, package outlines, or wafer-level geometry from 3D mechanical models.
Common Workflows
STEP → GDSII
Extract package outlines or mechanical constraints from 3D models and convert to mask layout format.
STEP → DXF
Convert 3D model cross-sections to 2D mechanical drawings.
Technical Notes
- Only the BREP (boundary representation) geometry is used; mesh/tessellation data is ignored
- The 3D Modeler license bundle is required for STEP import
- Complex assemblies with many bodies may produce complex 2D outputs
CLI / Command-File Options
These option keys can be used on the command line or in command files.
Export
| Key | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
StepOutUnits |
int | Output coordinate units |