In Inventor, data is stored in multiple files with different file types. When you translate data from AutoCAD, choose the destination file type based on the type of data you are translating and how you use it.
- To produce a manufacturing drawing without an associated 3D or model file, translate the AutoCAD data to an Inventor drawing file (.idw). You can create a drawing file or add the data to a sketch in the active drawing.
- To use 2D data to build a part model, translate the AutoCAD file to an Inventor part model (.ipt). You can create a part file or add the data to a sketch in the active part.
- When you translate AutoCAD 3D solids, they become solid bodies in an Inventor model file. When there are multiple solids, the translator creates an Inventor part file (.ipt) for each body and an assembly file (.iam) with references to each part.
- To use AutoCAD title blocks, borders, or blocks to develop templates in Inventor, use the import settings to place the translated data in a new drawing file (.idw).
Note on opening DWG files
If you do not require AutoCAD objects translated into Inventor objects, you can directly open any AutoCAD DWG file in Inventor. You can 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/paste. You can open an AutoCAD DWG file in Inventor, and then copy and paste AutoCAD entities into any Inventor sketch.