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STEP file output won't include vias

chuckbluz

I am trying to export a STEP file so my mechanical engineer can verify fit in the product housing. However the only vias and pads that are exported are those associated with a connector on the PCB. Even if I check all three selections in the Export Options menu, In other words the "Export Free Pad Holes" and "Export Mechanical Component Pad Holes" don't seem to work. This is critical, since some of these pads are used for alignment of the PCB into the housing during manufacture.

 

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  • 0

    I too have had the problem of no vias in the STEP files.  Luckily, to this date I have not required them in my STEP files.  You could try doing a board cutout or redefining the PCB area.  That might work but I didn't try it first.  It's not a fix but it's a workaround.

  • 0

    Older versions of Altium Designer had this bug and there is a chance the same code base is used for CircuitStudio. The latest Altium Designer 18 seems to have this fixed, at least so far none of the exported designs have any missing hole.

     

    What if you change to using a PAD instead of a VIA? Would that work?

  • 0 in reply to DaveMcLaughlin

    I actually added some pads to use as reference holes, and that did not work either. I could live without the vias, but I don't see why the pads won;t show up.

     

    (the more I use CircuitStudio, the more I really dislike it)

  • 0 in reply to chuckbluz

    (using 1.5) I've only done the STEP output for a small PCB that plugs in to a larger PCB so I can't say how close this it to making the STEP usable in other tools, but my pads and (mounting) holes are in the STEP file.  (more obvious from the back, which doesn't have components). If it helps here's my example.

    image

     

     

    Here's my settings:

    image

    and a pad example:

    image

  • 0 in reply to chuckbluz

    Any chance you could include a sample of your board in step format? Export without the parts. Some 3D CAD software is better at handling this than others. My older Alibre Design didn't import holes but the same in Fusion 360 did.

  • 0

    Originally I had used a via hole to create a grounded hole for a stand-off + screw to go through. None of the via holes appeared in my step file when i exported it from Altium. I solved the problem by replacing the via holes with pad holes. They did appear in the step file, although it's hard to tell if it's covered by a thin solid shape (the two large holes near the center) :

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