Importing Files from other CAD Systems Productivity Enhancements

Increased Performance When Opening Files from Other CAD Systems

Multithread support is enabled. Multithreading allows Inventor to use multiple processors if the hardware you are using contains a multi-core processor. As a result, performance is increased when working on files from other CAD systems.

New access to the Import command

• To import into a new file:
  • Open Import CAD Formats
  • Get Started tab Launch panel Import CAD Formats
  Note: 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.
• To import into a part file:
  • 3D Model tab Create panel Import
• Manage tab Insert panel Import
• To import into an assembly: Assemble tab Component panel Place Imported CAD.

Importing a File from Other CAD Systems

Depending on the file type, click Options or Open in the Import dialog box:

• To access CATIA, Solidworks, Pro-E/Creo, NX, Alias, STEP, IGES, Rhino, SAT, Pro-E Granite, ProE Neutral, Parasolid Binary files: Click Open to access options for importing the selected file.
• To access DWG, DXF, STL, Revit, DWF, and IDF files: Click Options to access options for importing the selected file.
• To open an AutoCAD DWG file in view only mode in Inventor:
  • Open Open DWG

Import as Reference Model: ( CATIA, Solidworks, NX, Pro-E/Creo, Alias, and AutoCAD files)

The new Reference Model option maintains a link to the selected file which enables you to monitor and update as the model changes. Use this option if the design is evolving and you are not required to edit the referenced model. If changes are made to the file in its respective product after import, the Inventor file reflects the changes.

Note: To import an AutoCAD file as an associative reference file, use the Import command from within a part file.

Import as Convert Model (CATIA, Solidworks, NX, JT, Pro-E/Creo, Rhino, IGES, Alias, Parasolid, and SAT files)

The Convert Model 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.

Simplified import options

The options for importing CATIA , Solidworks, Pro-E/Creo, NX, Alias, STEP, IGES, Rhino, SAT, Parasolid Binary files are simplified and provide clear choices for import.

Selective import

The new Select tab provides you the option to specify which files to import when importing a CATIA, Solidworks, Pro-E/Creo, NX, Alias, STEP, IGES, or Rhino file.

Customize Properties for Imported CATIA, Pro-E/Creo, Solidworks, and NX files

Add standard Inventor property values in the new XML data files to map properties from CATIA, Pro-E/Creo, Solidworks, and NX to standard Inventor properties.

The location of the new design data files is by default: Users Public Public Documents Autodesk Inventor [version] Design Data Import Properties.

Linking to Mechanical Desktop (MDT) Components Option Removed (not available in Inventor LT)

The link in the proxy file belonging to legacy data sets are now broken upon migration. Once the link is broken, it is converted into a base solid.

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