Our free and fast tool will convert your 3D STEP (STEP-File) model files to a standard 3DS (3D Studio Mesh) file that can then be edited further in most popular 3D editing packages or 3D printed without any further processing. Our conversion tool can also batch convert multiple STEP files; up to 200 files at a time can be converted.
To convert your STEP file, click the Upload button above and select the file to convert. Once selected, the file will be converted to a 3DS file and will be ready for download shortly afterwards. For more information about the STEP to 3DS conversion process, see the conversion information section below.
| Extension | STEP |
| Full Name | STEP-File |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | application/octet-stream |
| Format | Text |
| Tools | STEP Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STEP Animation, Text to STEP, STEP Viewer |
| Open With | CAD Assistant |
The STEP file format is a 3D format defined in 1994 and used to store 3D objects for use in computer-aided design (CAD) applications. STEP files are text-based, formatted files containing one command per line, with a full 3D model comprising of many commands.
Although STEP files are widely supported by most CAD applications, the format does have its limitations, such as the necessity to read the complete file into memory in order to parse the contents, and due to the textual storage of information, the files can be quite large and time-consuming to process.
3DS files, when imported, will be converted to 3D geometry comprising vertices and faces. If the 3DS file contains color information, this will be converted where possible.
| Extension | 3DS |
| Full Name | 3D Studio Mesh |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | application/octet-stream |
| Format | Binary |
| Tools | 3DS Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create 3DS Animation, 3DS Asset Extractor, Text to 3DS, 3DS Viewer |
| Open With | MeshLab |
The 3DS format has been a standard 3D format for many years. It has been the native file format for Autodesk's 3D Studio since the days of Microsoft's MS DOS. The age of the format began to show its limitations many years ago and was replaced by Autodesk when 3D Studio Max was launched.
There are, however, still many 3D model files circulating in the 3DS format, and these can be easily converted using our 3DS conversion tools. Some of the limitations of the 3DS file format include: texture names are limited to DOS 8.3 filenames; the maximum number of vertices allowed in the 3D mesh is capped at 65536; and there is no support for directional lighting.
Converting from the STEP file format to 3DS can be a complex process, and any tool used for this conversion process needs to be able to handle a variety of data conversion tasks as well as identify any defects within the 3D model and fix them. Here we will explain the conversion process used by our tool to accurately convert your STEP file to a valid 3DS 3D model. Let's start with the conversion process, which involves the following steps:
In its simplest form, a STEP file is a human readable text file file containing 3D data such as shapes, surfaces, curves and other geometric data. When combined, these make up the 3D model you see on your screen.
For more information regarding the STEP file format, please see this great article that goes into a lot of detail explaining the STEP format.
With the STEP file data read, our tool generates an internal representation of the full 3D model and will attempt to fix any geometry issues encountered. Along with repairing any issues with the 3D model, the tool will remove any duplicated vertices and prepare the model for exporting to the 3DS format.
With the conversion process entering its final stages, our tool now needs to take the in-memory 3D model we have created in step 2 and convert it to the 3DS format.
Yes. If your STEP file is compressed, our tool will detect this automatically and load the 3D model from the STEP file as normal.
Many 3D file conversion websites use the same off-the-shelf components to convert files, these often lack features and full STEP file compatibility. Our bespoke file conversion tools offer full STEP file compatibility and have been developed in-house by a team of developers, some of whom have over 30 years of experience working with 3D graphics file formats, meaning our tools will convert your STEP file quickly and accurately with maximum compatibility.
Yes! Our STEP tool supports full batch conversions. You can upload up to 200 STEP files at a time. Our tool will convert them all as quickly as possible. Once completed, you can either download the 3DS files individually or download them all in a single ZIP file.
First click the "Upload..." button, and select your STEP file to upload. You can also drag and drop your file onto the tool. Once your file is selected, you can set any configuration options. When the STEP to 3DS conversion has completed, you can download your 3DS file straight away.
Our STEP to 3DS file converter is up to 4x faster than other online or offline file converters, meaning your files are converted quickly and hassle-free. Smaller files are typically converted instantly, while larger files will take longer to process.
We aim to create the most accurate conversions with our tools. Our tools are under constant development with new features and improvements being added every week.
Yes, of course! We do not store the STEP file you submit to us. The resulting 3DS file, once created, is stored for 4 hours after upload; after this time it is deleted, and the short-term download link will stop working. You can create a long-term download Url with most tools that will ensure the file is retained for 24 hours, allowing you to download the file when convenient. Our tools also come with a Delete button, allowing you to delete the file immediately.
No. All our conversion tools process your STEP file on our dedicated conversion servers, meaning you can use our tools on low-spec computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices and receive your converted 3DS file quickly.
Yes! Our STEP to 3DS tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.
Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our STEP conversion tool please consider white-listing our website. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits and some settings may not be available when using our tools. Processing/conversion and download times will also be longer.
Yes. When you have converted your STEP to 3DS, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.
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