STEP Tools, Inc. Hosts Free Online Data Translation Service

CAD Users Worldwide Have On-Demand Access to Newly Expanded STEP Data Translators; STEP Tools Develops Custom Versions for Enterprise Intranets and Extranets

Troy, New York-July 19, 1999- STEP Tools, Inc., the forerunner in developing STEP-integration software toolsets for the global marketplace, announced today it has expanded its free Online Data Translation Service with a variety of new file formats and a streamlined, easy-to-navigate interface. CAD users needing to convert 3D data to and from STEP (Standard for Product Data Exchange) part files will find a variety of translation options at STEP Tools Web site. The STEP Tools Online Translation service also includes popular graphic data formats and allows users to directly upload files without using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). To date, over 4000 data translations have been performed online.

Translation of STEP Files to CAD and Rapid Prototyping Formats, Graphic Files, VRML and More

The STEP Tools Online Translator supports importing and exporting STEP data to three file formats: Parasolid-XT (Unigraphics Solutions, Inc.), XML (W3C), and ACIS-SAT (Spatial Technology, Inc.). The service additionally includes support for the EXPRESS/EXPRESS-X Syntax Checker and the EXPRESS Pretty Printer. STEP models can also be exported to an STL (Stereolithography) file for rapid prototyping processes.

For visualization applications, users can capture their STEP AP 203 designs in three mainstream graphic file formats: GIF, JPEG or VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language) which can be displayed on a company's web site or utilized for design collaboration. The STEP translation service imposes an upload file size limit of five megabytes, a job run time limit of ten minutes, and requires that your Internet browser support file upload and cookies.

Web Visitors can also test drive STEP Tools Visualizer, an interactive 3D visualization tool used to display wireframe and solid model geometry in STEP part files. The Visualizer is ideal for software developers in the CAD/CAM/CAE industry or for companies developing their own vertical design/manufacturing applications.

STEP Tools' integrated suite of tools and libraries cover every aspect of STEP implementation and drastically minimize the effort needed to move applications and databases into compliance with ISO 10303 STEP and other standards that use EXPRESS information models.

Custom Online Translation Services For The Enterprise Intranet or Extranet

STEP Tools will also develop custom versions of this data translation service for enterprise Intranets and Extranets. With this type of service, manufacturers and design firms receiving CAD data from a variety of sources can readily leverage the Internet to solve interoperability issues, and provide on-demand translators to the desktops of company employees, suppliers, and subcontractors.