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RobertH15-Moonstone
15-Moonstone
October 8, 2025
Solved

Include sketch or cosmetics into a STEP export

  • October 8, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 1450 views

Does anybody know if it is possible to also export sketches or cosmetics into a STEP file?

I've tried several settings but it doesn't work. I've tried also ap214 and ap242 with "Datum", "Quilts", "Facets" and "Hidden entities" all checked but the export doesn't contain any of my Sketches, projected sketches, curves, or other 2D entities.

 

This would be nice because we can then use it for laser engraving on our laser cutting machine. Now we are using a small cutout and then in the laser cutting software someone is converting this cutting into a single line again.

Best answer by pausob

I disagree with your statement that there is no real solution.  Please review the answers in this thread.

Seems to get what you need (export to STEP including sketched curves, but not including datum items such as axes, planes, etc):

1) Ensure configuration option intf2d_out_blanked_layers is set to NO (default)

2) Put the datum items that you do not want exported on a hidden layer.

3) Export with the "Datums" box checked:

pausob_0-1761148784891.png

 

6 replies

S
23-Emerald III
StephenW23-Emerald III
23-Emerald III
October 8, 2025

Yes. These are my export settings.

The system you are importing may likely need settings adjusted also.

StephenW_0-1759937243154.png

StephenW_1-1759937252840.png

 

tbraxton
22-Sapphire II
tbraxton22-Sapphire II
22-Sapphire II
October 8, 2025

To include datum curves, you need to configure the export profile to include datum entities (includes datum curves, points, axes, planes). In Creo, sketches are not datum curves so those would not be exported. It seems that you have tried this but are still not getting the desired entities. Confirm one or more of the entities in question is a curve in the native Creo file. If curves are not getting exported then something else is blocking it, perhaps layer settings.

 

You may need to use sketches to create datum curves prior to export.

 

tbraxton_0-1759937287263.png

 

 

M
MartinHanak24-Ruby III
24-Ruby III
October 9, 2025

Suggestion: Please upload your model and describe what entity is not exported.

    R
    RobertH15-MoonstoneAuthor
    15-Moonstone
    October 9, 2025

    Thanks for the answers!

    I found out that it was not the export or settings but I was opening the STEP in Creo View and although all filters where off it did not show any sketches or datums entities but they where there,

     

    Now find a way to improve the import in our laser cutting software in such a way the sketches are interpreted as engraving...

    KenFarley
    KenFarley21-Topaz II
    21-Topaz II
    October 9, 2025

    When I do actual engraving in Creo Manufacturing, I use Cosmetic Groove features that I've created in the model. I think (it's been years and years) I did this because it was the only feature type I could use, in the past. Maybe something to try? I found that when I exported to STEP for MasterCAM, these features were also available for engraving, too. And they definitely were laser cutter compatible - I had a part a vendor was cutting for us and they made a mistake and cut the part marking through the part instead of just on the surface. It looked cool, but the number "8", letter "B" etc. were big holes. Fortunately it wasn't in an area where it mattered, so our customer will never have any problem reading the part numbers if they need more.

    I don't know if the "groove" has any special properties that make it "exportable" like this. Maybe the STEP exporter treats them differently...

    R
    RobertH15-MoonstoneAuthor
    15-Moonstone
    October 9, 2025

    Discovered another thing. When you use the "Datums" checkmark in the STEP export settings then an axis is also exported as a line.

    Is it possible not to export the axis but still export the sketches?

     

    For me it is also strange that you have to check the "Datums" in order to export sketches, as for me a sketch is not a datum....

    P
    19-Tanzanite
    pausob19-Tanzanite
    19-Tanzanite
    October 9, 2025

    Note that if you have the configuration option intf2d_out_blanked_layers  set to NO, then items on hidden layers are not exported.

    So then put your datums axes on a layer and hide this layer before export.

     

    A
    anursinghCommunity Manager
    Community Moderator
    October 22, 2025

    Hi @RobertH,

     

    I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

    If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
    Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation. 

     

    Thanks,
    Anurag

    R
    RobertH15-MoonstoneAuthor
    15-Moonstone
    October 22, 2025

    There is no real solution which is indirectly caused by the fact that sketches and cosmetic sketches are put under the Datum option which is a bit strange because in my opinion it is not related to datums. Turning the datum export on will also export the datum planes which become a sketch then, this is unwanted.

    P
    19-Tanzanite
    pausob19-TanzaniteAnswer
    19-Tanzanite
    October 22, 2025

    I disagree with your statement that there is no real solution.  Please review the answers in this thread.

    Seems to get what you need (export to STEP including sketched curves, but not including datum items such as axes, planes, etc):

    1) Ensure configuration option intf2d_out_blanked_layers is set to NO (default)

    2) Put the datum items that you do not want exported on a hidden layer.

    3) Export with the "Datums" box checked:

    pausob_0-1761148784891.png

     

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