Import AutoCAD data into Autodesk Inventor part or drawing

In a part or drawing, 2D data is imported into a sketch . AutoCAD 3D solids and surfaces are imported as ASM bodies. If the AutoCAD file contains 3D wire geometry, you can use options to project to a 2D sketch or import as a 3D sketch.

Note on opening DWG files

If you do not require AutoCAD objects translated into Autodesk Inventor objects, you can directly open any AutoCAD DWG (.dwg) file in Autodesk Inventor, and then view, plot, and measure the file contents. Objects display exactly as they do in AutoCAD. In addition, all the AutoCAD data is selectable for copy and paste so you can open an AutoCAD DWG file in Autodesk Inventor, and then copy and paste AutoCAD entities into any Autodesk Inventor sketch.

For more information, see Use your AutoCAD geometry.

Click Open and select the appropriate file. If you are importing a DWG file, click Options. Select the Import option and click OK.

Click Open to start the DWG File wizard.

  1. In the DWG File Import Options dialog box, continue with one of the following steps:
    • Select a configuration file , and then click Finish. The DWG file is imported with respect to the configuration setting.
    • Click Next to continue setting options.
  2. In the Layers and Objects Import Options dialog box:
    • Select the units.
    • Select Model Space or Layouts (Paper Space). If you select Layouts, only the currently active layout is translated.
    • Select the layers to translate, or unselect the All option and select objects to translate in the preview window.
    • Click Next for more options or Finish to open the file.
  3. In the Import Destination Options dialog box:
    • Under 3D data options, click 3D solids if required. You can enable the options Surfaces and Wires if you select New Part under Destination for 2D data. Click Import into Repair Environment to create a repair node for the imported data. The repair environment provides diagnostic and repair tools for solids and surfaces.
    • Under Destination for 2D data, specify an Autodesk Inventor file type by selecting New Drawing, Title Block, Border, Symbol, or New Part. If you select New Part, you can specify the Surfaces and Wires options under 3D data options. You can also choose to import AutoCAD Blocks to Inventor Blocks (see Sketch block).
    • Set the destination directory for the new file.
    • Specify how to place dimensions. To place sketch dimensions on a sheet in a drawing file select Promote Dimensions to Sketch. These dimensions are associated with the sketch and change if you move or edit sketch geometry.

      If the check box is cleared, the dimensions are placed as drawing dimensions. Drawing dimensions do not change or control features or part size and are used to document the model.

    • Select drawing, part, and assembly templates. Set the Sheet Size.
    • To map layers to sketches or map fonts in the translated file, click Mapping Options, and then use the settings in the Mapping Options dialog box.
    • Set the Save to configuration option. If appropriate, click Browse to specify the location where to save the configuration file .
    • Click Finish to open the file.

Show me how to create surfaces in AutoCAD and import to Inventor

Import AutoCAD 2D data to a sketch in an existing part or drawing

Geometry and its associated dimensions are converted to Autodesk Inventor sketch geometry .

Unassociated dimensions, symbols, and other annotations are not imported to a part sketch. In a drawing, the associated dimensions are placed in the sketch with the geometry. Unassociated dimensions, symbols, and other annotations are placed on the drawing sheet.

Activate a sketch in an Autodesk Inventor part or drawing, and then on the Sketch tab, Insert panel, click ACAD.

In the Layers and Objects Import Options dialog box, set the following options:

  • Select Model Space or Layouts (Paper Space) as the source location for the data. If you select Layouts, only the active layout is translated.
  • Select the layers to translate.
  • Click Finish to import the data.

Import AutoCAD 2D data to Autodesk Inventor data and create a drawing

AutoCAD 2D geometry is placed in one or more sketches and its associated dimensions are converted to Autodesk Inventor drawing dimensions unless you promote them to sketch dimensions. Drawing dimensions do not change or control features or part size.

Symbols and other annotations are placed on the drawing sheet. Blocks are translated to sketched symbols in the Drawing Resources folder in the browser.

Click Open and select the file. If you are importing a DWG file, click Options, and select Import options, and click OK. Click Open to start the DWG File wizard.

  1. In the Layers and Objects Import Options dialog box:
    • Select Model Space or Layouts (Paper Space) as the data source location. If you select Layouts, only the active layout is translated.
    • Select the layers to translate.
    • Click Next.
  2. In the Import Destination Options dialog box:
    • In Destination for 2D data, specify New Drawing, New Part, Title Block, Border, or Symbol.
    • Set the destination directory for the new file.
    • Specify how to place the dimensions.
      • Select the check box for Promote Dimensions to Sketch to place sketch dimension on a drawing sheet. These dimensions are associated with the sketch geometry and change if you move or edit the sketch.
      • Clear the check box to place dimensions as drawing dimensions. Drawing dimensions do not change or control features or part size and are used to further document the model.
    • Select a drawing template.
    • To map layers to sketches or map fonts in the translated file, click Mapping Options, and then use the settings in the Mapping Options dialog box.
    • Click Finish to create the file.
      Note: To use settings in the future, save the configuration file before clicking Finish.

Import AutoCAD 3D data to a sketch in an existing part or drawing

  1. Open a part file
  2. On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab Sketch panel Create 3D Sketch .
  3. On the ribbon, click Sketch tab Insert panel ACAD .
  4. In the Open dialog box, select the DWG file and click Open
    Note: The Options command is disabled during this step.
  5. In the Layer and Objects Import Options dialog box:
    • Select the units.
    • Select Model Space or Layouts (Paper Space). If you select Layouts, only the currently active layout is translated.
    • Select the layers to translate, or unselect the All option and select objects to translate in the preview window.
    • Click Finish to import the file.
    Note: The Import Destination Options dialog box is not displayed at this time.
  6. All curve data is placed in the active sketch.
Parent topic: DWG translation