Step Files
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I've received several Step files from the same source where some open just fine and others don't. Size seems to be the issue. The larger one I've let alone to open for several hours with no luck. Is there a size limit C4D has for Step files? The ones above 250mgs seem to be an issue. I've downloaded a trial of rhino and got them to open there but what to do then is the issue. If I resave as Step they still won't open in C4D. If I make FBXs they become ridiculously heavy.
Any thoughts?
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Hi wait-channel,
The import of step files requires setting up some quality-changing parameters.
https://help.maxon.net/c4d/2024/en-us/Default.htm#html/FSTEPIMPORT-CADIMPORT_GRP_TESSELATION.html?TocPath=CAD%2520Import%257CSTEP%2520Import%2520Settings%257C_____3In a nutshell, when a curved object is present in the file, it is stored as a "circle shape formula." When opened in a polygon-based polygon application like Cinema 4D, those "formula-based shapes" need to generate polygons. The angle parameter enters the game. The smaller the angle, the more polygons will be produced during the import.
It makes no sense to compare it with another polygon-based app with different default settings or with an application that works natively with STEP, as it will read the "formula-based" shapes as such.
Often those files contain a lot of little parts (like bolts/screws) that are pretty much invisible compared to the main object, but based on those default settings, they can create an enormous amount of polygons with no visual advantage at all.
Importing these files often means starting with large values and producing a small result. Then, evaluate the results and adjust accordingly.
All the best
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Could you give me settings that would normally open a complex step file?
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Hi Gliserman,
Please have a look here (Short intro)
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/c4d_r20_import_catia_step_iges_solidworks_jt_cad_files_in_cinema_4dThe angles are the easiest, perhaps going as high as 120ยบ (turning a full circle into a triangle), but it always depends
For example, when you set the length, the data inside the file will be set based on its size and outcome; hence, it is relative. I do not know what is in your file.Cheers
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Hi,
I am looking into this further because I foresee a fair amount of step files in my future. I'm working with seven step files that make up a machine. When I import one file with default settings, except for I turn off UVs, Normals and layers. and it imports in 22 minutes. When I use best practices with Normals and Uvs and Combine set to topology, scale based tessellation, it crashes C4D after 55 minutes while processes UVs. That's why I tried it with UVs off. When it crashes the Status bar says it's 93% thru processing UVs, and it's happened several times at that point.
Any thoughts would be helpful,
Tom -
Hi Tom,
The first idea is to check if the computer is running out of memory.
Anyway, please check with support, as crashes should not happen, and that needs to go to support. Thanks for considering it. I hope that can be solved for you quickly.
https://www.maxon.net/en/support-centerI'm sorry that you have to endure this.
All the best
