Include sketch or cosmetics into a STEP export

[RobertH]

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.

[StephenW]

Yes. These are my export settings.

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

[tbraxton]

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.

[MartinHanak]

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

[RobertH]

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]

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...

[RobertH]

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....

[pausob]

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.