====== Reading STEP files ======
{{:doc:user:ico-advanced.png?40 |Advanced}}
It is possible to import STEP files generated by external CAD software such as Catia or FreeCAD. The function used to convert STEP files to python commands that are understandable by Metafor is defined in the ''toolbox.stp2py'' module. It uses the parser named ''stp2py.exe'' which is provided with Metafor.

<note important>This converter provides only a partial translation of STEP files. Some CAD entity are ignored.</note>

Here is an example (from ''apps.qs.cont2STEP''). The STEP file is ''cont2.stp''. it is located in the same folder as the input file.

  import toolbox.stp2py
  thedir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
  mod = toolbox.stp2py.stp2py(os.path.join(thedir, 'cont2.stp'))
  mod.fillImportedStp(domain)