To Import DXF, OBJ, STL, DWF, and IDF Files

Importing DXF, OBJ, STL, DWF Markup, and IDF files.

What's New:2021

To import into file, do one of the following:
- To import to a new file select:
  - File Open Import CAD Formats
  - Get Started tab Launch panel Import CAD Formats
- To import into a part file select:
  - Manage tab Insert panel Import
  - 3D Model tab Create panel Import
- To import into an assembly, select Assemble tab Component panel Place Imported CAD.
In the applicable dialog box, set the Files of type to view the available files.
Select the file to import and click Options to specify import settings and then open the file.

Drag and drop to import files

You can also drag and drop to import individual or multiple part and assembly files. Do one of the following:

Select the part or assembly file in Windows Explorer, and drag the file to the Autodesk Inventor title bar. This action translates the part or assembly into a new Autodesk Inventor file, and it can be done with or without an Autodesk Inventor file open.
With no Autodesk Inventor files open, select the part or assembly file in Windows Explorer, drag the file into the Autodesk Inventor graphics window. This action translates the part or assembly into a new Autodesk Inventor file.
With a new or existing assembly open, select the part or assembly file in Windows Explorer, drag the file into the graphics window. It places the imported part or assembly as a component in the Autodesk Inventor assembly.

Import OBJ and STL files

You can import OBJ and STL files in Autodesk Inventor. The data is imported as mesh objects and are contained in a mesh browser node.

In the Import dialog box:

Specify how to save the file:
Choose where to save the components from the drop-down menu. If you choose to Select Save Locations, the Component Destination Folder becomes available. This setting is not available when the Import command is used.

Component Destination Folder Sets the location for the part and assembly files created from the import operation. If Save in Workspace is selected, this folder is defined in the Edit Projects panel.

Note: Specify file destinations that are included in the active project or add the paths to the project to assure that referenced files resolve when you open a file.
Specify how to save the Translation Report:
Embed in Document Select to display the translation report icon , under the 3rd Party browser node , in your new file. To view the translation report, double-click the report icon, or right-click select Edit.

Save to Disk Select to save a copy of the report to the Component Destination Folder.
Specify Units:
Import Units. Select the default units for the imported file.

Bounding Box. Displays the size of the bounding box for the geometry in the file.
Specify how to import colors:
Color. Select to import colors then specify whether the color format is RGB or BGR.

These types of OBJ and STL files can be imported:

Note: Depending on the file type, some options may be disabled.

In Autodesk Inventor, you can open a DWF file with markups created in Autodesk Design Review, for example.

To open a markup set, click File Open.
In the Open dialog box, select a DWF file that contains markups, and then click Open.

The Markups browser displays the markup set in the tree view.

Note: If you try to load a markup set by opening a DWF file that does not contain markups, you cannot open the DWF file in Autodesk Inventor.