

This research compares STEP, STL, and other 3D printing formats. The viewer can also be used convert STL files, that are used for additive manufacturing and 3D printing, into STEP AP242 tessellated part geometry.

PMI consists of annotations and attributes that define product geometry and product specifications including annotations to specify Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

STEP files are used to represent parts, assemblies, and Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI) that is used for data exchange and interoperability between Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Manufacturing (CAM), Analysis (CAE), and Inspection (CMM) software. STEP ( ISO 10303 –STandard for Exchange of Product model data) files are also known as Part 21 files with a file extension of. The Analyzer generates a spreadsheet of all entity and attribute information reports and analyzes any semantic PMI, graphical PMI, and validation properties for conformance to recommended practices and checks for basic STEP file format errors. The free STEP File Viewer supports parts and assemblies, dimensions and tolerances, supplemental geometry, datum targets, and point clouds.
