PLM Library · Standard
STEP at NIST
- Author
- NIST
- Publisher
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Year
- 2026
Summary
NIST's gateway to STEP (ISO 10303), the international standard for exchanging product data between CAD, PDM/PLM and other engineering systems.
It explains NIST's STEP work and links to supporting interoperability resources, such as test models, validation and conformance tools, and related publications.
Our verdict
Worth bookmarking — free. An accessible entry point to STEP and engineering data exchange, useful whenever CAD or PLM interoperability is on the table.
Who should read it
- —CAD/PLM administrators handling data exchange
- —Architects planning multi-CAD or supplier data exchange
How it relates to your work
- —STEP underpins neutral CAD and product data exchange with suppliers and between PLM systems.
- —Useful for long-term archiving and model-based definition discussions.
Keep in mind
- —A resource hub, not the standard itself; ISO 10303 parts are sold separately.
- —Technical; best for readers already involved in data exchange.