Actually, I need to save the 3D STEP file directly to my component’s footprint in the library. Otherwise, if I lose the original STEP file, I won’t be able to view the 3D model on the PCB. Is there any issue for handling this?
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Git ? or similar . . .
Yes, I looked into GitLab, but I couldn’t find any relevant issue regarding embedding a STEP file into a footprint. 
It is supported already, try 9.0.3
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You need to use the option to embed the step file when you add it to the footprint
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Yes. Looks like you figured it out?
I guess I’m still confused as to how to tell the footprint to use that vs looking at a folder on the PC
You can paste the “embedded reference” from the other tab into the 3D model path.
There is also a checkbox for “embed model” when choosing a model in that tab, that can do this in one step.
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Wow. Thank you. I wish there was a way to make these less hidden. I feel like someone just handed me a secret map. Thanks again!
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It would be really handy if KiCAD had the option to export a 3D model of the pcb into a native FreeCAD FCStd file. At the moment, using STEP files has the unfortunate consequence that when there is a change to the board you have to reimport the STEP file into FreeCAD. If the export from KiCAD was a native FreeCAD file then you have the option to create a link within the FreeCAD model and when changes are made they are reloaded into FreeCAD without doing the import again.
The FreeCAD devs have been noodling the idea of supporting a link to a STEP file. I have included a link to that thread on the FreeCAD forum below.
This has nothing to do with the thread. But I disagree, STEP is the lingua franca of 3D CAD and there’s no need to muddy the waters supporting one particular program even if it is also OSS. Kicad stepup also seems like it does a good enough job bridging the gap.
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Sorry, I mistakenly posted this in the wrong thread. Should have been posted to the v10 wish list.
Regarding your comment, I disagree. Though I agree STEP is a universal format the productivity hit to always having to reimport the file is a big problem. StepUp is not intended for this purpose. FreeCAD is more than just OSS in this use case. FreeCAD is based on the same OpenCascade technology that I understand KiCAD uses. I’m not suggesting we drop support for STEP just that we could improve KiCAD productivity by adding more support for FreeCAD.
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Yeah, while the Developers are at it they could also add native support for Solidworks native files, that would make me more productive for sure . . . 
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