vcad-step-import
Import and work with STEP files using vcad MCP tools. Use when the user mentions STEP files, .step, .stp, importing CAD from other software (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape), or converting between CAD formats.
Best use case
vcad-step-import is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Import and work with STEP files using vcad MCP tools. Use when the user mentions STEP files, .step, .stp, importing CAD from other software (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape), or converting between CAD formats.
Teams using vcad-step-import should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/step-import/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How vcad-step-import Compares
| Feature / Agent | vcad-step-import | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Import and work with STEP files using vcad MCP tools. Use when the user mentions STEP files, .step, .stp, importing CAD from other software (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape), or converting between CAD formats.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# vcad STEP Import
Import geometry from STEP files (AP203/AP214) using the vcad MCP tools. STEP files are the standard interchange format exported by Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, CATIA, and other CAD software.
## Available Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `import_step` | Import geometry from a .step/.stp file |
| `inspect_cad` | Analyze imported geometry (volume, area, bbox) |
| `export_cad` | Re-export to STL or GLB |
| `open_in_browser` | View imported model in vcad.io |
## import_step
```json
{
"filename": "part.step",
"name": "imported_part",
"material": "steel"
}
```
Parameters:
- `filename` — path to the STEP file (.step or .stp)
- `name` — part name (default: filename without extension)
- `material` — material key: `"steel"` (default, density 7850 kg/m3), `"aluminum"` (2700), or `"default"`
Returns an IR document with `ImportedMesh` nodes containing triangulated geometry, plus a summary:
```json
{
"document": { ... },
"summary": {
"bodies": 3,
"total_triangles": 15420,
"total_vertices": 8210
}
}
```
## Workflow
### Import → Inspect → Export
```
1. import_step(filename: "bracket.step")
→ Get IR document + body count
2. inspect_cad(ir: <document>)
→ Volume, surface area, bounding box, mass
3. export_cad(ir: <document>, filename: "bracket.stl")
→ STL file for 3D printing
```
### Import → View in Browser
```
1. import_step(filename: "housing.step")
→ Get IR document
2. open_in_browser(document: <VCode>)
→ Shareable vcad.io URL
```
Note: `open_in_browser` works best with smaller models. Very large imports may exceed URL length limits — use `export_cad` instead.
## Supported Formats
| Format | Support |
|--------|---------|
| AP203 | Full |
| AP214 | Full |
| AP242 | Partial (geometry only) |
Common sources: Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, CATIA, Creo, Inventor, FreeCAD, Rhino.
## What Gets Imported
STEP import produces triangulated meshes (ImportedMesh nodes), not parametric BRep. This means:
- Geometry is viewable and exportable
- Volume and area measurements work
- Boolean operations with imported meshes are not supported
- The parametric history from the source CAD is not preserved
For parametric editing, recreate the geometry using `create_cad_document`.
## Tips
- Use absolute paths if the file is not in the current working directory
- Multi-body STEP files produce multiple ImportedMesh nodes (one per body)
- Assign `"material": "steel"` or `"aluminum"` to get mass calculations from `inspect_cad`
- Large STEP files (>50MB) may take several seconds to processRelated Skills
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