Answered

The best Adobe 3D software to create prototype for 3D Printing

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
December 19, 2025
2 replies
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Hello everyone. Im new here and have beginners level knowledge and talent using Adobe products. I have a project that I need to send off to a 3D Printer so a prototype can be made that will eventually be the template for a mold. My Question is which adobe software is best for creating 3D objects.

Others

Correct answer jane-e

.step files are created in a CAD application.

From Adobe Help:

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/step-file.html

How to create and edit a STEP file.

To create and save a STEP file, follow these steps:

Create a new file using your CAD program or software of choice.
Edit your file.
Use the file extension .step or .stp depending on the available options.

To edit a STEP, use Adobe Acrobat:

Open Adobe Acrobat and your STEP file.
Click the Edit tool in the right-hand panel.
Use the editing tools to make your desired changes.
Save your file.

You can import a .step file into Adobe Substance 3D stager. See this help file:

https://helpx.adobe.com/substance-3d-stager/getting-started/import-export-formats.html

Jane

Community Expert

Community Expert

eg, autocad. adobe's 3d apps can only step files, but you need a much more robust app to create them.

Community Expert

Community Expert

eg, autocad. adobe's 3d apps can only step files, but you need a much more robust app to create them.
By @kglad

Thanks for confirming what I wrote an hour earlier, Keith. 😊

It doesn't have to be AutoCad, btw. Other CAD (Computer Aided Design) applications can also create .step files.

Jane

Community Expert

Community Expert

you're welcome, jane.

Community Expert

Community Expert

You should ask the printer what type of file they need.

GDA_CreatesAuthor

.Step

Community Expert

Correct answer

Community Expert

.step files are created in a CAD application.

From Adobe Help:

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/step-file.html

How to create and edit a STEP file.

To create and save a STEP file, follow these steps:

Create a new file using your CAD program or software of choice.
Edit your file.
Use the file extension .step or .stp depending on the available options.

To edit a STEP, use Adobe Acrobat:

Open Adobe Acrobat and your STEP file.
Click the Edit tool in the right-hand panel.
Use the editing tools to make your desired changes.
Save your file.

You can import a .step file into Adobe Substance 3D stager. See this help file:

https://helpx.adobe.com/substance-3d-stager/getting-started/import-export-formats.html

Jane