Import and use STEP data

You can open a STEP file to create a new Autodesk Inventor part. You can also place a STEP file into an Autodesk Inventor assembly.

Open STEP file in Autodesk Inventor

When you open a STEP file, Autodesk Inventor creates a file and places the STEP data into the new file. If the Save Parts During Load option is selected, the imported files are saved in Autodesk Inventor format during the import process. Files are saved to locations specified by the Destination Directory settings. If files with the same name exist, the existing files are moved to the Old Versions folder.

1. Click Open.
2. In the File Open dialog box, set the Files of type to STEP.
3. Select the file, and then click Options. In the Import Options dialog box:
   • Specify the Part and Assembly Destination Directories if you want to change the defaults.
   • Select from Solids, Surfaces, Wires, and Points as Entities to Import.
   • If importing surfaces, select Construction Group Mapping to import the data into the construction environment. Select Auto Stitch and Promote to combine surfaces with matching edges into a quilt and promote to the part environment.
   • Specify whether you want the data mapped in single or multiple construction environment groups, or directly as composite features. Indicate if the collections are to be created from levels or groups. If appropriate, you can append a prefix to group names, such as the origin file name.
   • Select from the applicable Options and Post translation options.
4. Click OK to close the dialog box, and then click Open to import the STEP file using the specified settings.

Place STEP file into Inventor assembly

1. Open the destination Autodesk Inventor assembly file or create an assembly file.
2. On the ribbon, click Assemble tab Component panel Place .
3. In the Place Component dialog box, set the Files of type to STEP.
4. Select the file and then click Options. In the Import Options dialog box:
   • Specify the Part and Assembly Destination Directories if you want to change the defaults.
   • Select from Solids, Surfaces, Wires, and Points as Entities to Import.
   • If importing surfaces, select Construction Group Mapping to import the data into the construction environment. Select Auto Stitch and Promote to combine surfaces with matching edges into a quilt and promote to the part environment.
   • Specify whether you want the data mapped in single or multiple construction environment groups, or directly as composite features. Indicate if the collections are to be created from levels or groups. If appropriate, you can append a prefix to group names, such as the origin file name.
   • Choose from the applicable Options and Post translation options.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box, and then click Open to import the STEP file using the specified settings.