The following settings are recommended up to AutoCAD 2017/Mechanical Desktop 2017 and Solid Edge ST 8.

AutoCAD/MDT – System

• Delete all non-referenced geometry.
• Please activate all the layers with features to be exported.
• Only standard colors are transferred. Sub-elements of objects cannot be colored individually in the systems.
• Models are exported as an assembly.
• Please execute "AMUPDATE" to update the model geometry.
• Use AMREPLAY to regenerate the model step by step. This helps to identify corrupt features in the overall context of the design progress.
• Use AMSANITYCHECK to count the numbers of shells within the model. Usually a MD model should contain only one shell. Exception: Intended voids.

AutoCAD/MDT - STEP Preprocessor

• To export a STEP File you can choose File -> Export ->STEP or the STEPOUT in the command line.
• The STEP standard can be chosen in the OPTIONs menu.
• The translator uses a default file extension of *.stp when processing STEP file names entered on the command line.
• The default setting for STEP export is AP214. 

STEP File

• No adjustment is necessary.

Solid Edge - STEP Postprocessor  

• To import a STEP file go to File -> Open, select the STEP file and go to Options. The Open File dialog box appears.
• These are the recommended options that must be selected:
  • Generate Log File: to create a log file that contains warnings and information about the imported files. The name of the file is the <filename>.log and it is located in the same folder as the STEP file.
  • Heal and Stitch: to heal and stitch the free surfaces to create a solid body. It is not required to specify a tolerance range.
  • Simplify Geometry: replace the b-spline geometry from the model with simplified analytic geometry. This creates a smaller and more efficient model.
• In case of an assembly it is recommended to select the same Output Folder as the one where the imported *.asm file is going to be saved, otherwise the imported *.par files will be saved in the same folder as the STEP file.
• The New dialog box opens after choosing the STEP file. To import the model, a new part or assembly must be first created.

Solid Edge – System

• In case of an assembly a *.cfg file is created. This one contains the Display Configurations of the model.