Insert components from System Assets, User Assets, or external content libraries.
A factory layout can be populated with component data from multiple sources. You can insert components from the System Assets and User Assets content libraries, or you can insert external content. External content represents any data that has not been customized and placed in the Factory Assets library. This data includes standard Inventor part and assembly files, or files from other CAD products.
The Factory Assets library does not contain all the required components for a factory layout assembly. For example, most infrequently used components are not published into the library. For these situations, you can add a model directly to the layout.
Complete the following steps to automatically place and ground the component at the layout origin (0, 0, 0). If the model has a defined insertion point, the insertion point aligns to the layout origin.
If you are working with Autodesk Vault, click Factory tab > Layout panel and then click the down arrow next to Insert Model to select Insert Model from Vault .
In the Insert Model dialog, browse to the folder location, select the file to insert into the layout, and select Open. The model appears and follows the cursor movement.
Press the right mouse button and select Insert Grounded at Origin.
Right-click again and select Done to end the insert command.
Complete the following steps to select the insertion point:
Click Factory tab > Layout panel > Insert Model .
If you are working with Autodesk Vault, click Factory tab > Layout panel and then click the down arrow next to Insert Model to select Insert Model from Vault .
In the Insert Model dialog, browse to the folder location, select the file to insert into the layout, and select Open.
Drag the selected component to the required location in the layout and press the left mouse button. The component appears inside a bounding box. The sides of the bounding box are parallel to the component origin planes. The insertion point is the corner of the bounding box that aligns with the origin coordinate system.
When locating the component in the factory layout assembly you can snap to the following:
The component is placed in a default orientation in the XY plane. To adjust the orientation, select either the or Mini-Toolbar options.
Click the OK button to place the component or click the Cancel button to cancel placement. Click the Apply button to place multiple copies of the model without exiting the command.
Use the Reposition tool to move or rotate the model, and then press Enter to exit the command or continue placing copies of the model.
You can import models in neutral formats, and in the native file format from many CAD systems. Inventor translates the model geometry data and creates an Inventor file.
For most models, you can choose whether to import it as solids or surfaces. Choosing the best option depends on the type of model and how you plan to use it.
The Composite Surface option translates each face of the model independently and collects them into a single group of surfaces. This option is the default setting because it can ignore issues such as missing faces and gaps between edges. It can be easier to work with a composite surface if you do not have to make changes such as adding holes.
The Solid Model option also checks the edges of each face during translation. If the edges of adjacent faces touch either, the edges are stitched together. If all of the edges of a group of faces can be stitched together to enclose a volume, the result is a solid. If there are gaps or missing faces, the result is a collection of faces and quilts. If the original model was an assembly, there can be a combination of solids and surfaces. It is easier to work with a solid model if you have to modify the asset or change the appearance.
For assembly models, you can also choose whether to import the model as a multi-body solid or an assembly with individual components. If you import the model as an assembly, a part file is created for each part in the original assembly. File management is much simpler with a multi-body part, but you cannot move anything. For a factory asset such as a turntable, you need to import the model as an assembly show it in a different position.
This model of a blower was imported as a multi-body solid. Since the exhaust elbow is a separate solid, you can delete it if you need a different part. You could also turn off the visibility of the covers to show the internal components.
Imported solid models use the standard Generic material and the Default color. In addition to the physical properties, each material also has a color and texture. If you change the material, the appearance also updates. You can also override the appearance of a material.
There are two steps to change the appearance of a surface part:
Revit files contain a 3D model of a building. In addition to architectural elements such as walls, doors, and columns, the model can include HVAC, plumbing, and other systems.
There are two settings that control how the Revit model is inserted. The 3D View defines the building orientation and which Revit model components are visible. The Import as options define how the Revit geometry is translated. The Single Composite Feature option combines all of the Revit geometry into a single surface feature. The Multi-body Part option creates a separate solid for each Revit component.