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  "description": "Expanding on a STEP file inside of FreeCAD was a bit more involved than I thought it would be - especially when the STEP file contained multiple parts! This is how I went about it.",
  "path": "/blog/working-with-multi-part-step-files-in-freecad/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-17T14:00:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://kevin-williams.net",
  "tags": [
    "Multiconnect should be utilized",
    "openGrid",
    "printables"
  ],
  "textContent": "💡\n\nAfter looking into OpenGrid a bit more, this probably isn't the correct way to go about building a bin / attachment as Multiconnect should be utilized - BUT it was a first attempt, and still helpful in terms of working with step files, IMO\n\nOver the weekend, I came across openGrid and thought I'd give it a try for organizing the tools in my office. I downloaded the files from printables and they're working great so far; however, I wanted to design some custom bins and mounts so I needed to use the provided STEP file.\n\nI haven't really worked with STEP files inside of FreeCAD, much less multi-part STEP files, so it took me a few attempts to accomplish what I was wanting.\n\nFirst, we need to create a new document and then import the step file. I decided to check the \"Enable STEP Compound merge\" and \"Reduce number of objects\" in order to end up with three parts:\n\n  * Side Holders\n  * Snap\n  * SOLID\n\n\n\nNext I wanted to combine the three parts, but was unable to do so because they weren't solid. To resolve this, I went to the \"Part\" workbench and chose \"Convert to Solid\" for both the Side Holders and Snap\n\nAfter everything was solidified, I used two \"Union\" operations to turn the 3 parts into one - First to join the \"SOLID\" and \"Side Holders\" and again to join the \"Fusion\" to \"Snap\"\n\nNow, in order to create a sketch on this object, it needs to be included as part of a \"Body\". The problem is that when bringing something into a body, it becomes a \"base feature\" and can't be used as part of a pattern.\n\nTo address this, I went to the \"Draft\" workbench and created a two-dimensional array prior to turning it into a body.\n\nI needed the snaps to be within a 2x3 grid, so I used 28 mm and 56 mm as my dimensions\n\nOnce the array of snaps has been created, they need to be \"fused\" together. To do this, I went back to the \"Part\" workbench, refined the shape, and then converted that to a solid\n\nAt this point, we can finally go to the \"Part Design\" workbench, create a body, move the solid into the body, and then create a sketch on the appropriate surface",
  "title": "Working with Multi-Part STEP files in FreeCAD",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-17T14:00:04.000Z"
}