Hello
I received a large step file. 575MB of a bagging line.
I need to put this line in my SolidWorks 2025 assembly.
Usually I import the step into SolidWorks and I save it as part and I insert it into my assembly...
The problem is that it takes hours in solidworks, and in the end it doesn't open.
I can visualize it in eDrawing.
I manage to open it in FreeCAD (which I just installed to try)
FreeCAD does not offer a SOLIDWORKS format to export it...
I'm a bit stuck, what would you do?
The ideal when possible is the x_t format (parasolid) rather than step.
In this format, the same component repeated x times will be the same part, unlike the step which will have x different component.
And so this format is much lighter.
Then ideally no surface because it lags.
If you don't have a choice and it's not possible to have a parasolid:
It is better (for the big AS) to import it with 3D interconnect and leave the import without breaking it and save the assembly to then import it into your layout (be careful not to delete the step file because it is a link between the 2)
And if possible you lighten what you didn't use (even if it means creating an e config and putting the unwanted bodies in the deleted state)
And yes it's a hassle but as explained the step format is more for exchanging small sets, not a complete factory!
And to conclude the parasolid is the graphics engine behind unigraphic, so solidedge, solidworks and topsolid. For iports from inventor, the iges or igt format is to be preferred it seems to me, but for my part never tested on large sets.
And good luck, it can quickly be a hassle with big imports.
Thank you for your answer. Interconnect Parasolid Surface ... It's not easy to understand all this.
I was able to get away with reading your answer: I explain how:
DeepSeek suggested that I use FreeCAD.
" * FreeCAD (can open and re-export the STEP more cleanly)"
-indeed FreeCAD manages to open the step in a few minutes but impossible to export in a "good format" for solidworks...
-on the other hand I was able to select each subset and export them in step
I did it only for the important elements for my design (I didn't do this for a bonhome)
the steps being smaller or not containing anything blocking, they were able to open in SW
then save them in part.
-create an assembly of all these parts (plus the origin is well placed, it facilitates the assembly) no need to constrain just we remove it is well placed.