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CAD files on a Mac? dwg, igs, stp, …

F

feuerschlange

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 13, 2008
221
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I patiently wait, the Rhinoceros 3D project for Mac, to be finished, so the software can be purchased and includes a stp file filter and extensive drawing import and printing capablities.

for now though, I desperately look for a intermediate solution, to:

- open AutoCAD drawings (dwg + dxf) (the Rhino in the works version does this to an extend, but has no printing capabilities built in so far)

- open stp files (no software to my knowledge, which is either free or within bounds of a few hundred USD maximum)

- convert stp into igs

Please name your tools, you use for CAD files!
(Keep the multi thousand USD apps out of here please!)
 
Anyone know of something good to open STP files. Need to open some step files but I can not open them on my MacBook Pro. Saw a bunch of apps on the Apple App store but many had negative reviews :eek:o_O
 
stylinexpat said:
Anyone know of something good to open STP files. Need to open some step files but I can not open them on my MacBook Pro. Saw a bunch of apps on the Apple App store but many had negative reviews :eek:o_O
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Well for DWG you can use Draftsight for free, CorelCAD is free to download from the app store and will allow you to view. Both are powered by ARES Commander and is a good AutoCAD replacement. If you go to the app store there are several DXF viewers available as I recall.
 
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EdwardC said:
Well for DWG you can use Draftsight for free, CorelCAD is free to download from the app store and will allow you to view. Both are powered by ARES Commander and is a good AutoCAD replacement. If you go to the app store there are several DXF viewers available as I recall.
Click to expand...

Is it free to use to view STP files? Was just looking at the reviews for that app and it only had 2.7 stars out of 5. What about for STP files to be viewed on the iPad or iPhone?
 
stylinexpat said:
Is it free to use to view STP files? Was just looking at the reviews for that app and it only had 2.7 stars out of 5. What about for STP files to be viewed on the iPad or iPhone?
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1550784997][/doublepost]Hmmm, possibly e-drawings. Download a copy off the app store and give it a try.
 
I've been trying out Fusion 360 (using a free "startup" license) with much success. However I do not claim to be an expert with CAD. Some of the previous suggestions may indeed be superior. Yes, Fusion 360 opens .stl and many other formats and is available in the Mac App Store.
 
I just tried that CorelCAD app buy it does not look too user friendly on iPhone so far. Someone sent me a message on a chat app with a STP file. Not easy to open from iPhone or iPad. In fact I was unable to open that file with iPhone or iPad
[doublepost=1550822212][/doublepost]
Sedulous said:
I've been trying out Fusion 360 (using a free "startup" license) with much success. However I do not claim to be an expert with CAD. Some of the previous suggestions may indeed be superior. Yes, Fusion 360 opens .stl and many other formats and is available in the Mac App Store.
Click to expand...
Will look into it, thanks.
 
stylinexpat said:
I just tried that CorelCAD app buy it does not look too user friendly on iPhone so far. Someone sent me a message on a chat app with a STP file. Not easy to open from iPhone or iPad. In fact I was unable to open that file with iPhone or iPad
[doublepost=1550822212][/doublepost]
Will look into it, thanks.
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Oh, sorry, I did not realize you wanted to do this in iOS. I have no experience with CAD in iOS.
 
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Sedulous said:
Oh, sorry, I did not realize you wanted to do this in iOS. I have no experience with CAD in iOS.
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Both would be cool.. :) Originally I wanted them for the MAC and still do but I figured perhaps the developer may have had created two kinds of apps with one being for Mac and one for iPhones and iPads. I thought maybe one would be easier to use.
[doublepost=1550855035][/doublepost]Just downloaded Fusion App on my MacBook Pro. Does not open up. It shows but will not allow file from email to choose app to open. Shows app as option to choose from to open file but will not let you choose file to try and open file. The cancel tab works but the open tab does not :eek:

fusion.png


Finally got it to work. It works but it seems very buggy and slow. If I dragged and saved file on desktop then I could open file from desktop using app but it would not allow me to choose file to open when opening from Apple mail account.
 
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stylinexpat said:
Both would be cool.. :) Originally I wanted them for the MAC and still do but I figured perhaps the developer may have had created two kinds of apps with one being for Mac and one for iPhones and iPads. I thought maybe one would be easier to use.
[doublepost=1550855035][/doublepost]Just downloaded Fusion App on my MacBook Pro. Does not open up. It shows but will not allow file from email to choose app to open. Shows app as option to choose from to open file but will not let you choose file to try and open file. The cancel tab works but the open tab does not :eek:

View attachment 823069

Finally got it to work. It works but it seems very buggy and slow. If I dragged and saved file on desktop then I could open file from desktop using app but it would not allow me to choose file to open when opening from Apple mail account.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I have found Fusion 360 to be reasonably stable. I use it on a 2014 MBP without issue and have even tested it with a 2009 MBP (not recommended). I have not tried to use it to open mail attachments. Fusion 360 is meant for actual CAD design. If you only want to view, there are plenty of options. I have used Cura for this purpose but I am sure a quick search for STL viewers would yield many results for both macOS and iOS.
 
Sedulous said:
Hmm, I have found Fusion 360 to be reasonably stable. I use it on a 2014 MBP without issue and have even tested it with a 2009 MBP (not recommended). I have not tried to use it to open mail attachments. Fusion 360 is meant for actual CAD design. If you only want to view, there are plenty of options. I have used Cura for this purpose but I am sure a quick search for STL viewers would yield many results for both macOS and iOS.
Click to expand...

I work with some designers that send me files to view. Mainly to view the files they send me
 
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