The Complete Parasolid to STEP Enhanced Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing Parasolid Files to STEP Enhanced

There are various ways to convert between Parasolid and STEP Enhanced. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize Parasolid files, at scale. It supports STEP Enhanced, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are Parasolid and STEP Enhanced files commonly used for?

The Parasolid file is a format mostly used for 3D geometric modeling kernel for CAD applications.
The STEP Enhanced file is a format mostly used for product data exchange for manufacturing.

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Comparison of Features Supported by Parasolid and STEP Enhanced

FeatureSupported by ParasolidSupported by STEP Enhanced
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoPartial0
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsNoPartial1
Vertex ColorsNoNo
MaterialsPartial2Yes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatYesYes
Embedded TexturesNoNo
Multiple UV ChannelsNoNo
Normal MappingNoNo
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsNoNo
TexturingNoNo

0 - Compressed formats (.stpz, .stpxz) available for smaller file sizes
1 - Basic transparency supported through material properties
2 - Basic material properties for modeling and analysis

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Limitations of Parasolid Files to STEP Enhanced Conversion Workflow

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

Parasolid Feature (not supported by STEP Enhanced)Limitation Details

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

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 Parasolid and STEP Enhanced 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

RapidPipeline lets you convert, optimize and prepare your 3D models, easily.
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