Interface > Working with Data Exchange Formats > STEP > Exporting Parts and Assemblies to STEP > File Structure of Assembly Models Exported to STEP
  
File Structure of Assembly Models Exported to STEP
When you are exporting assembly models to STEP and have set the Application protocol STEP export profile option to ap214_is, ap203_e2, or ap242, you can set the Model preferences STEP export profile option, Export assembly as, to one of the following values:
Single File
Separate Parts
Separate All
The value you select for the Export assembly as STEP export profile option determines the file format of the assemblies exported to STEP. The assembly structure options of Separate Parts and Separate All are only available for the ap214_is, ap203_e2, and the ap242 protocols. For all other application protocols of STEP, the Export assembly as export profile option is set to Single File without the availability of Separate Parts and Separate All.
The following table describes the assembly structure options.
File Structure Option
Exports As
Resulting Default Filenames
Single File
Exports all assembly geometry to a single file. This is the default.
partname.stp
Separate Parts
Exports the assembly structure to a single file, but exports parts as individual files.
assemblyname_asm.stp, partname1.stp, partname2.stp, and so on.
Separate All
Exports assemblies, sub-assemblies, and parts as individual files.
subassemblyname_asm.stp, toplevelassemblyname_asm.stp, 1_prt.stp, 2_prt.stp, and so on.
Do not change the default file names because the default file naming conventions differentiate the files created. If you do not want to use the default naming conventions, set the export_3D_force_default_naming configuration option to no (the default).