The STEP file extension refers to the CAD file format. A STEP file (also known as Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) is an open file format standard used to exchange data between different CAD/CAM/CAE programs. The STEP file was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is one of the most popular file formats for 3D data exchange.

A STEP file allows information to be transferred between different CAD/CAM/CAE systems without loss of data and accuracy. Unlike other file formats such as DXF and DWG, STEP is not software-specific or platform-specific. You can use it on different operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

A STEP file is a binary file format that contains information about the geometry, topology, physical properties, and other properties of 3D objects. This file can store both 2D and 3D data, as well as dimensional tolerance and material information.

The STEP file is particularly useful in the design of complex structures, as it allows you to transfer information between different CAD/CAM/CAE programs. For example, a designer can create a model in a CAD program and then send it to a CAM program to generate a toolpath or to a CAE program to perform a numerical simulation.

There are many advantages to using a STEP file. One of them is the ability to easily transfer large files between different users and CAD/CAM/CAE systems. Another advantage is the fact that STEP files are very accurate and do not lose information during transfer. This means designers can share their designs with clients, suppliers, and other users, without worrying about data loss or geometry changes.

In summary, a STEP file is an open file format standard used to exchange data between different CAD/CAM/CAE programs. It is a popular format that allows information to be transferred between different CAD/CAM/CAE systems without losing data and accuracy. The STEP file is particularly useful in the design of complex structures and allows large files to be easily transferred between different users and CAD/CAM/CAE systems.

How to open STEP files in ActCAD

1. Run any ActCAD application
2. From the menu, select File > Open
3. Search for the step file you want to open
4. Select files with the step extension
5. You can view, edit, and save the results of your work to a file
   
6. You can choose any other CAD file format supported by ActCAD, e.g. DXF, DWG, DWT, DWS, DWF, DGN, STL, IGES, DSF to save the results of your work!!