Manual › Chapter 10

🔩 Exporting STEP from SolidWorks

Export STEP files from SolidWorks parts and assemblies with the correct settings for SysHub compatibility.

Overview

SysHub uses the STEP file format (ISO 10303) to import and display 3D CAD geometry in the browser. This format is universally supported, vendor-neutral, and preserves the full solid body geometry of your parts and assemblies.

This guide covers how to export a STEP file from SolidWorks for both individual parts and full assemblies, with the recommended settings for best compatibility with SysHub.

Exporting a Single Part (.sldprt)

  1. Open your part file in SolidWorks.
  2. Go to File → Save As.
  3. In the Save as type dropdown, select *STEP AP214 (.step, .stp)* or *STEP AP203 (.step, *.stp)**. AP214 is preferred — see Recommended Export Settings for details.
  4. Choose your destination folder and filename. Use a descriptive name that matches your SysHub project (e.g. bracket_v3.step).
  5. Click Options... before saving to review export settings.
  6. Click Save.
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You do not need to close your SolidWorks session to export. The export creates a separate file — your original .sldprt is unchanged.

Exporting an Assembly (.sldasm)

Exporting an assembly exports all component parts and their positional relationships into a single STEP file. SysHub will read the full assembly hierarchy.

  1. Open your top-level assembly file (.sldasm) in SolidWorks.
  2. Ensure all components are fully resolved (not lightweight). Go to Edit → Assembly and check for any suppressed or unloaded parts.
  3. Go to File → Save As.
  4. Select *STEP AP214 (.step, .stp)* from the Save as type dropdown.
  5. Click Options... and make sure Export as is set to AP214 and that Save all components of an assembly in a single file is checked.
  6. Click Save.

⚠️ Important: Lightweight components will not be included in the export. Right-click the assembly root in the FeatureManager and select Set Lightweight to Resolved before exporting.

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For very large assemblies (500+ parts), consider exporting sub-assemblies separately and uploading them as separate SysHub projects to keep file sizes manageable.

Configurations & Bodies

Exporting a Specific Configuration

If your part or assembly has multiple configurations, SolidWorks will export the currently active configuration. To export a specific one:

  1. Open the ConfigurationManager tab (the branching icon above the FeatureManager).
  2. Double-click the configuration you want to export to activate it.
  3. Proceed with File → Save As as described above.

Exporting Selected Bodies Only

To export only specific solid bodies from a multi-body part:

  1. In the FeatureManager, expand the Solid Bodies folder.
  2. Select the bodies you want to export (hold Ctrl to multi-select).
  3. Right-click and choose Export to File...
  4. Choose STEP AP214 as the format and save.

Recommended Export Settings

Access export options by clicking Options... in the Save As dialog:

Setting Recommended Value
STEP version AP214 — preferred for color and layer data. Use AP203 only if AP214 causes issues.
Export as Solid/Surface geometry (not wireframe or tessellated)
Single file Enabled — saves all assembly components into one .step file
Include hidden Disabled — exclude suppressed or hidden components to keep file clean
Check on export Enabled — lets SolidWorks flag geometry errors before saving
Save to A local folder first, then upload to SysHub (avoid exporting directly to network drives)
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AP214 supports color assignments and layer names, which SysHub can use to color-code parts in the viewer. AP203 exports geometry only.

File Naming Conventions

Uploading to SysHub

  1. Log in to SysHub at sys-hub.com.
  2. Open or create the relevant project.
  3. Click Upload STEP File and select your exported .step file.
  4. SysHub will process the file and render it in the 3D viewer — this typically takes a few seconds for parts and up to a minute for large assemblies.
  5. Once loaded, assign the part to a position in your project hierarchy and add metadata such as material, mass, and revision notes.
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SysHub supports both .step and .stp file extensions. Either will work on upload.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
File fails to upload Check file size — keep individual STEP files under 200 MB. For large assemblies, split into sub-assemblies.
Parts missing in viewer Lightweight components are not exported. Resolve all components before exporting.
Colors not showing Re-export using AP214 instead of AP203. AP203 does not include appearance data.
Geometry errors on export Enable Check on export in options. Fix any broken faces or zero-thickness geometry before re-exporting.
Assembly looks exploded Verify you used Save all components in a single file. If components were moved before export, undo and re-export.
Wrong configuration exported Confirm the correct configuration is active in ConfigurationManager before running Save As.

Quick Reference

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