About Express Mode

Typically, an assembly opens fully (Load Full), that is, all component data is loaded into memory. For large assemblies, Inventor provides an Express mode (Load Express) where the model opens much faster by loading only component cached graphics into memory.

Important: Express Mode supports the use of skeletal modeling workflows. To learn more, see Skeletal Modeling in Express Mode.

Express mode is an option that must be enabled. Once enabled, you have two open options. Load Full which loads all component data and enables all commands. For large assemblies, this can have an effect on performance and timing. Or, Load Express which loads only cached graphics and excludes some commands.

Load Express provides significantly faster (3-5x) file open times for large assemblies. Express mode causes enhanced display data (cached graphics) to be saved in an assembly (.iam) file. This extra data, referred to as Express data, is what enables Inventor to open the assembly faster.

As components are accessed to have tasks performed on them, they are loaded into memory. Those components are not unloaded from memory, so the performance advantage of Express mode gradually diminishes as you continue loading components. You can save the assembly and reopen it in Express mode to recover the advantage of working in Express mode.

Important: If you save a large assembly in Express mode and then insert that assembly in a new assembly, Express mode is not automatically enabled in the new assembly.

To get the maximum performance benefit from Express mode when you create new assemblies, enable Express mode before inserting sub-assemblies containing saved Express data.

Enable Express mode

To enable Express mode and set the default open behavior in Application Options.

On the ribbon, click Tools tab Options panel Application Options
Click the Assembly tab.
Click Enable Express mode workflows.
Specify the File Open Option you wish to use. For working with large assemblies select Open Express when referenced unique files exceeds and specify the value. This value sets the default open behavior based on the unique file threshold value. This allows you to open very large assemblies in Express mode, while smaller or less complex assemblies fully open. File open times are based on factors such as number of occurrences, complexity of model geometry, and system hardware specifications.

Tip: To revert the assembly file back to the original size, close all documents and then clear the Enable Express mode workflows check box. The next time you open and save the assembly file, the express data is removed.

Saving Express data in assemblies

To add Express data to an assembly do the following:

Ensure that Enable Express mode workflows is checked.
Open and Save an assembly. Express data is added to the assembly regardless of the number of files the assembly uses. This ensures assemblies respond to changes in the unique files value.

Note: You can open any assembly that does not have Express data and use the Load Express option to save the assembly with Express data and reopen it in Express mode.

Enter Express mode

After you enable Express mode and save an assembly, the threshold value is used to invoke Load Express when opening an assembly that exceeds the unique files value. When opening an assembly you can override the default File Open behavior using one of the following techniques:

Select Full or Express in the drop down list.
Use File Open Options

You can also use the File Open Options to specify opening the assembly in Full or Express mode. Access to File Open Options is available in the Home window

or the Open dialog box.

Note: If the drop down list is not enabled, the assembly has not been saved with the necessary display data and will fully open. Refer to Saving Express data in Assemblies above.

Commands Available in Express Mode

Most commands are available in Express mode. However, some commands may prompt you to Load Full, found in the Productivity panel, to gain access to the command.

Express mode and Drawings

If you are working in a drawing, placing precise views of an assembly that is open in Express mode, the assembly will load whatever components are required to create the view.