To Import STEP or IGES Data (Construction Environment)

You can import a STEP or IGES file to a new or existing part. You can also place the file in an assembly.

For an IGES file, use the Auto Stitch and Promote and the Enable Advanced Healing options to clean up the data as it is imported. You can also use the Check Parts on Import option to determine quality issues during the import process.

Open STEP or IGES File in Inventor

Note: For the best performance when using STEP, import assemblies as assemblies. Do not derive assemblies into a single part.

1. Do one of the following:
   • Click File Open.
   • (Optional; IGES files only) Open or create a part file and then click Manage tab Insert panel Import on the ribbon.
2. Do one of the following:
   • In the File Open dialog, set Files of Type to STEP or IGES.
   • (IGES only) In the Import dialog, set Files of Type to IGES.
3. Select the file and then click Options. In the Import Options dialog:
   • If appropriate, specify the Part and Assembly Destination Directories .
   • Select from Solids, Surfaces, Wires, and Points as Entities to Import.
   • If importing surfaces, select Construction Group Mapping to import the data into the construction environment. Select Auto Stitch and Promote to combine surfaces with matching edges into a quilt and promote to the part environment.
   • Specify whether you want the data mapped in single or multiple construction environment groups, or directly as composite features. Indicate if the collections are to be created from levels or groups. If appropriate, you can append a prefix to group names, such as the origin file name.
   • Choose from the applicable Options and Post Translation Options.
   • Specify if you want the data checked during the translation.
4. Click OK.

Place STEP or IGES File in Assembly

1. Open the destination Autodesk Inventor assembly file or create an assembly file.
2. On the ribbon, click Assemble tab Component panel Place.
3. On the Place Component dialog box, set the Files of type to STEP or IGES.
4. Select the file and then click Options. In the Import Options dialog box:
   • Specify the Part and Assembly Destination Directories if you want to change the defaults.
   • Select from Solids, Surfaces, Wires, and Points as Entities to Import.
   • If importing surfaces, select Construction Group Mapping to import the data into the construction environment. Select Auto Stitch and Promote to combine surfaces with matching edges into a quilt and promote to the part environment.
   • Specify whether you want the data mapped in single or multiple construction environment groups, or directly as composite features. Indicate if the collections are to be created from levels or groups. If appropriate, you can append a prefix to group names, such as the origin file name.
   • Choose from the applicable Options and Post translation options.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box, and then click Open to import the STEP or IGES file using the specified settings.

   If an IGES file contains 308/408 subfigures, it is opened as an assembly. Auto Stitch and Promote automatically stitch and promote surfaces for each of the resulting parts, if possible. When the assembly is opened, not all of the construction environment data is visible in the assembly. Activate individual parts to stitch and promote. Once the data is imported, it is visible in the assembly.

Disregard 308/408 Definitions in IGES Files (Optional, Inventor)

• To place all data from an IGES file in a single part into an existing file, regardless of the 308/408 definitions, use Manage tab Insert panel Import.