Read SAT or SAB into a STEP exchange workflow
The ACIS Import-Export SDK reads SAT text and SAB binary files into OCCT geometry and topology. Pair its reader with the native STEP writer when the receiving engineering system expects STEP or STP.
The geometry layer can run independently, while XDE adds names and colors. Choose the document route if those attributes need to travel with the shapes rather than treating the conversion as geometry-only.
Control repair and approximation
The ACIS translation workflow includes configurable Shape Healing. Its documented handling of some complex geometry also involves approximation where necessary. Establish repair settings and allowable deviation according to the receiving operation, then inspect the translated shapes before writing.
Separating the reader result from the STEP writer result helps diagnose missing entities or altered surfaces. Keep representative difficult models in the acceptance set, including items that exercise the selected healing configuration.
Check the exported engineering model
Select the STEP output configuration accepted by the recipient. Reopen the file and compare geometric coverage, tolerances and the names and colors required by the workflow. A different exchange format does not restore original feature history.
When a visual derivative is sufficient, ACIS to STL adds tessellation and uses triangle output. For the reverse CAD exchange, STEP to ACIS has a separate writer-version decision; import coverage must not be taken as a promise about ACIS export versions.