The Complete ACIS to STEP Conversion Guide

August 05, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert ACIS to STEP, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing ACIS Files to STEP

RapidPipeline can import ACIS files, but currently doesn't support exporting to STEP format yet.

If you specifically need STEP export functionality for your workflow, please feel free to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to discuss your requirements and potential timeline for adding this export capability.

If you need, you can import STEP files and convert them to any of these 8 formats: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, and VRM.

In the meantime, you can explore other options on the 3D Formats Knowledge Database, which might serve as suitable alternatives for your workflow depending on your target applications and use cases.

What are ACIS and STEP files commonly used for?

The ACIS file is a format mostly used for 3D geometric modeling kernel.
The STEP file is a format mostly used for exchange of CAD data.

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Comparison of Features Supported by ACIS and STEP

FeatureSupported by ACISSupported by STEP
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsNoNo
Vertex ColorsNoNo
MaterialsPartial0Partial
Scene CompositionYesNo
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial1Partial
Embedded TexturesNoNo
Multiple UV ChannelsNoNo
Normal MappingNoNo
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsNoNo
TexturingNoNo

0 - Basic material properties and attributes
1 - Proprietary format with documented specification for older versions

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Limitations of ACIS Files to STEP Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting ACIS files to STEP format:

ACIS Feature (not supported by STEP)Limitation Details
Scene Composition

Scene Composition Support:

ACIS: Full support | STEP: No support

Scene Composition illustratedlack of support for Scene Composition illustrated

Impact:

Scene Composition describes the process of composing a scene through links from a main scene that pull in various other scenes/3D models. This can also happen in a nested fashion (through multiple levels of linkage). With a target format not supporting this feature, references to external models must be resolved and the content be baked into one 3D model, which is then saved in that target format.

What's the best way to get ACIS files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using STEP?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to ACIS and STEP files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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