Files from other CAD systems can be imported for use in Inventor. The file type determines the available options. For example, you can choose to import some file types as:
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Reference Model (not available in Inventor LT):
This option maintains a link to the selected file which enables you to monitor and update Inventor as the model changes. If changes are made to the file in its respective product after import, the Inventor file reflects the changes and downstream references update as well.
Example of references include:
- Features
- Assembly constraints
- Drawing annotations
- Convert Model: This option creates new Inventor files which are not linked to the original. Use this option if you plan to modify the model for a new design.
Unlike other the CAD file formats supported by the Reference Model, an update to a STEP file is a new translation. Updating the referenced STEP file can create unresolved geometry and may prevent changes made in the Inventor file from updating properly.
When you import a file, Inventor automatically detects whether the imported file is a part or assembly and creates a new document accordingly. You can then preview and select imported items. To import a 3rd party assembly file as a part, you must first create or have a part file open, and then import the 3rd party assembly file into the part file.
Some file types do not support the Reference model. Choose the workflow that works best for your design.
For a complete list of direct translators and supported file versions, see Translator Support.
Import as Reference Model: (Alias, CATIA, Solidworks, NX, STEP, and Pro-E/Creo files) (not available in Inventor LT)
If the design is changing, take control and improve performance by importing the design as a Reference Model.
Envision an engineering environment in which a standard keyboard design was created as a surface model by an industrial designer using a different CAD program, such as Solidworks. The Solidworks geometry is translated (imported) into Autodesk Inventor as a Reference Model into an assembly file. Importing the file as Reference Model establishes direct associativity between the Solidworks file and the Inventor file. Additional design enhancements are made to the original Inventor geometry using Autodesk Inventor modeling commands: A new part is placed into the assembly and constrained to the imported geometry.
Meanwhile, the industrial designer continues to modify the Solidworks design into a more organic, ergonomic shape. The Update icon
on the Quick Access toolbar indicates that the original imported file was edited since it was initially imported into Inventor. Now the Autodesk Inventor part file is no longer in sync. Clicking the Update icon loads the revised imported file and incorporates the changes.
Depending on whether you import into a part or assembly file determines what type of modeling edits you can make:
General note about STEP When exporting a file as a STEP file from its native product, for best results, use the same protocol, options, filename, etc.
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Supported:
- The imported geometry can be edited and parameter features can be added.
- All "Copy to" workflows.
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Not supported:
- Solid Edit is disabled.
- Repair Environment is disabled.
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Supported:
- Add additional parts or make changes to original Inventor geometry: For example, create constraints to the imported geometry.
- Reposition and make other cosmetic type changes to the imported geometry.
- Add top level assembly features.
- Design View workflows.
- Management of BOM Structure.
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Not supported:
- You cannot modify the imported geometry.
- You cannot create a BOM or parts list from items excluded from Import.
- You cannot modify the imported geometry or change the structure of the imported components.
- You cannot mirror the imported components.
Selective import into Part and Assembly files (CATIA, Solidworks, Pro-E/Creo, NX, Alias, Step, Iges, and Rhino only)
If you do not need to import an entire model, you can specify which bodies (into a part file) or which parts (into an assembly file) to include. Import only the components you need to improve performance.
Importing as Convert Model (CATIA, Solidworks, Pro-E/Creo, NX, JT, Alias, Rhino, IGES, Parasolid, STEP, and SAT files)
The Convert Model option creates new Inventor files which are not linked to the original. Use this option if you plan modify the model for a new design.
The import operation does not maintain associativity with the original file. As a result, changes to the original file after the import operation do not affect the imported part or assembly. Likewise, changes to the imported part or assembly do not affect the original file.
The import process creates base features in Inventor representative of the geometry and topology in the source file. You can use Inventor commands to adjust the base features and add new features to the Inventor feature tree. You cannot modify the original definition of the base features.
Importing DWG files
The following workflows are available for importing:
- You can import an AutoCAD or Mechanical Desktop DWG file using the DWG/DXF File Wizard. For detailed information, refer to To Import or Open AutoCAD DWG Files
- You can import an AutoCAD file directly into a part file as an associative DWG underlay and create 3D Inventor models of 2D layouts. To open an AutoCAD file directly as an Associative DWG , click Open in the Import dialog box.
Importing DXF, OBJ, STL, Revit, DWF Markup, and IDF files
Similar to the Convert Model option described above, the import operation for these file types does not maintain associativity with the original file. Additional import options are available for these file types.
For example, a translation report is generated that includes information pertinent to the import process. You can save the report to disk, in HTML format, and embed the report in your new part document.