To Work with Associative DWG

Insert Associative DWG geometry, manage layer visibility, and create 3D models of 2D layouts

To insert an AutoCAD DWG file as an Associative DWG

After importing an AutoCAD DWG into a part file, you can create sketches by referring to the DWG geometry.

  1. In a part file:
    • Manage tab Insert panel Import
    • 3D Model tab Create panel Import
  2. In the Import dialog box, select the DWG and click Open.
  3. Select plane or planar face to place the DWG.
  4. Specify the origin by selecting a point on the selected plane.

    5. DWG will be placed in, by mapping the XY(+z) of the DWG with selected plane, and mapping the Origin point of DWG with specified point. The inserted DWG file displays in the browser.

    Note: Only one DWG can be inserted.

To change the insertion point of a DWG Underlay

Use Translate to change the insertion point of the origin point a DWG underlay by moving, rotating, or snapping on a located plane.

  1. Right-click on the DWG file in the browser and select Translate from the context menu.

    A triad displays on the existing origin point of the DWG file.

  2. Select one of the following:
    • Select Locate to move the triad and specify a new origin point.

      Drag the triad grips to move or rotate the DWG underlay on selected plane. You can also enter a value in the X and Y input fields.

    • Select Snap to to move the triad by picking an existing point.

      The DWG geometry is moved to he newly defined insertion point with the selected point.

      Note: Snapping is non-associative. If you redefine the origin point using Snap To after rotating for an angle, the DWG will be moved parallel to the snapped point by keeping the previous rotation angle.
    • Click OK to finish.

To remove the association between the DWG Underlay and the original DWG

Use Break Link to remove the association between the imported DWG file and the original DWG file.

  1. In the browser or graphic window, right-click on the imported file, and select Break Link from the context menu.
  2. In the Save External dialog box:
    • Specify a prefix or suffix to add to the file name to avoid name duplication issues.
    • Browse to specify where to save the file.

To manage layer visibility

  1. Right-click on the DWG file in the browser and select Layer Visibility from the context menu.
  2. In the Layer Visibility dialog box provides controls to manage layer visibility:
    • Select All button turns on all layers
    • Clear All button de-selects all layers.
    • Invert Select inverts the selection.

    You can also manually select and deselect the check boxes to manage layer visibility.

    To turn on or off the entire DWG graphics visibility: Right-click on the DWG file in the browser and select Visibility from the context menu.

To create 3D Inventor models of 2D layouts

  1. In a 2D sketch, click a face or work plane to set the sketch plane.
  2. Click Sketch tab Create panel Project DWG Geometry.
  3. Select the geometry to project. Select one of 3 options:
    • Single geometry
    • Connected geometry: Closed loop and/or open loop.
    • Geometry block.
    Note: You can project DWG geometry in another part that is also open for edit in an assembly.
  4. When done, select Cancel or right-click and select OK.
  5. On the 3D Model tab, extrude the DWG geometry and create 3D features as desired.
  6. In an assembly file, you can use the Joint, Constrain, and Assemble commands to create relationships between a DWG underlay block and a part.

    You can work on DWG geometry in an assembly file at the same time as working on the same DWG geometry in a part file. When changes are made to projected DWG geometry in a part file, the corresponding DWG geometry in the assembly file is updated with these changes. The projection associativity will be kept even when the DWG is modified. For example:

    1. Insert a part (PART A) that has AutoCAD 2D geometry into an assembly and save the file.
    2. In a new part file (PART B): Create a sketch and project the DWG geometry from PART A into PART B.

      3. The projection associativity will be kept even the DWG is modified. When the original DWG file is updated in AutoCAD, the corresponding Inventor files will be updated accordingly, either for geometry change or position change.

Parent topic: About Importing Files from other CAD Systems