Convert SAT to STP
Convert ACIS SAT geometry to STEP/STP for interoperable CAD, CAM, and supplier exchange.
Make STP files online
We can't read SAT files yet, so this conversion isn't available. If you can export your work to one of these formats - or others - we'll turn it into STP:
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How to convert sat to stp file
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A recipient may require a STEP file because its CAD, CAM, PLM, quoting, or inspection software cannot read an ACIS SAT file. Converting also avoids dependence on a particular ACIS translator version when exchanging geometry between different CAD systems.
What SAT files contain
SAT (.sat) is the text exchange format of the ACIS geometric modeling kernel from Spatial. It normally stores precise boundary-representation (B-rep) geometry: solids, shells, faces, edges, curves, and surfaces; it is not primarily a mesh format. The binary ACIS counterpart usually uses the .sab extension.
SAT files are produced or imported by ACIS-based applications and by CAD products with ACIS translators, including Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. Compatibility can depend on the ACIS version recorded in the file: a translator based on an older ACIS release may reject a newer SAT file.
What STP files contain
STP and STEP are extensions for ISO 10303 STEP product-data files. STEP is a neutral CAD exchange format used by systems such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, PTC Creo, Fusion, Onshape, FreeCAD, CAM applications, and manufacturing suppliers.
A STEP file generally transfers B-rep solids more usefully than STL or other mesh formats. It does not preserve native parametric features, sketches, constraints, or feature-history editing. AP242 is the preferred protocol when both systems support it; AP214 remains widely compatible and can carry names, colors, layers, and assembly-related presentation data where the source and translators support them. AP203 is an older, more limited option.
Convert with desktop CAD software
CAD Exchanger is a suitable dedicated translator for SAT-to-STEP work. Open model.sat, inspect the model tree and body count, then use File → Export and select STEP. Select AP242 when requested by the recipient; use AP214 when working with older or unspecified mechanical CAD translators.
Autodesk Inventor is appropriate when it opens the supplied SAT version. Use File → Open to import model.sat, verify the imported geometry and scale, then use File → Save As → Save Copy As and select a STEP type. Choose the required STEP protocol from the translator options when available.
Commercial translation and repair tools such as TransMagic can also be useful for damaged or difficult ACIS data. Do not expect FreeCAD to be a general SAT conversion option: standard FreeCAD installations reliably handle STEP but do not provide a native SAT importer.
Use an online converter carefully
For occasional, non-sensitive files, CAD Exchanger Cloud is a reputable browser-based option. Upload the SAT file, select STEP/STP output, download the result, and open it in the intended receiving application before sending it onward.
Do not upload export-controlled designs, customer intellectual property, controlled technical data, or files restricted by contractual retention rules. Check the service's current supported-format list and data-processing terms before upload.
Check the converted model
Open the STP file in the target software and verify body count, assembly structure where applicable, colors if required, and critical dimensions. Confirm that intended bodies are solids, not only surface shells; a displayed shell may fail in CAM, Boolean operations, mass-property calculations, or meshing.
Check units against a known measurement. SAT files can contain unit information, but import defaults and translator interpretation can still produce an incorrect scale, especially between millimetres and inches.
If conversion fails, ask the sender for a STEP AP214 or AP242 export, or request that they save the SAT file to an older ACIS version. Geometry repair may be required for gaps, self-intersections, non-manifold edges, invalid faces, or ACIS entities unsupported by the chosen translator.
SAT vs STP: format comparison
How the SAT and STP formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .SAT ACIS SAT (Standard ACIS Text) | .STP STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) |
|---|---|---|
| Open standard | Partly open | Yes |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Typical file size | Medium | Medium |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Further editing | Limited | Limited |
| Metadata support | Basic | Extensive |
| Plain-text readable | Yes | Yes |
| Best used for | Data exchange | Data exchange |
| Introduced | 1989 | 1994 |
| Developer | Spatial Corporation (originally Intergraph/Spatial Technology) | ISO |
Suggested software and links: sat to stp converters
Frequently asked questions
Will converting SAT to STP preserve my 3D geometry?
Usually, solid and surface geometry is transferred, but small gaps, invalid faces, or unsupported ACIS entities can require healing or may be altered. Inspect the resulting model for missing faces and changed edges.
Are SAT features and parametric history kept in an STP file?
No, SAT-to-STP conversion normally preserves the resulting geometry rather than the original feature tree, sketches, constraints, or modeling history. The STP model can usually be edited as imported geometry, but not rolled back like the original design.
Will my SAT assembly structure, colours, and metadata transfer to STP?
Some assembly structure, colours, and attributes may transfer, but this depends on the entities supported by the converter and the STEP variant used. Do not assume layers, custom properties, or other CAD-specific metadata will remain unchanged.
Why does my STP file open with missing parts or broken surfaces after SAT conversion?
This usually happens when the SAT contains ACIS-specific entities, imperfect topology, or tolerances that do not translate cleanly into STEP. Geometry healing, checking units, and exporting supported solid or surface entities can reduce these problems.