The workflow to author your own custom parametric infrastructure content travels between Autodesk Inventor, the Infrastructure Parts Editor, and Autodesk InfraWorks.
There are numerous videos available to help guide you through the Inventor content authoring phase of your workflow. For first-time users of Autodesk Inventor, we recommend starting here: (Video) Part Authoring: Start a Project
Infrastructure Content Authoring Workflow
Depending on the content domain, such as drainage structures, bridge components, tunnel sections, pipework equipment, or pipes and fittings, your workflow will vary. Refer to the table at the bottom of this page for more information.
- Create parametric part shape models in Autodesk Inventor and export them to
.IPT format.
Note: For Pipes & Fittings, skip this step. You will instead create pipe and fitting assemblies in AutoCAD Plant 3D.
- Add Assembly Connectors to Drainage Structures. See: To add or modify assembly connectors.
- Add Reference Points to Drainage Structures.
- Add Pipe Connectors to Piping. See: To add or modify pipe connectors.
- For Drainage Structures, Piping, and Pipes & Fittings, open your part shape models in the Infrastructure Parts Editor.
Note: For parametric Bridge Components and Road Decorations, skip this step.
- Export parts catalogs from the Infrastructure Parts Editor to either Autodesk InfraWorks, Autodesk Civil 3D, or both applications.
- Drainage Structures part families are combined into part assemblies before export.
- Piping part families are exported as individual part families.
Note: For parametric Bridge Components, Tunnel Sections, and Road Decorations, skip this step. - Add parametric Bridge Components, Tunnel Sections, and Road Decorations directly into the InfraWorks Style Palette.
Note: The InfraWorks Style Palette does not currently support Inventor-based Drainage Structures, Pipework Equipment, or Pipes & Fittings.
| Type of Parametric Part | Created by | Requires the Infrastructure Parts Editor? | Assembly Connectors? | Pipe Connectors? | Reference Points? | Compatible with the InfraWorks Style Palette? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drainage Structure | Infrastructure Part Shape Utilities for Autodesk Inventor | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Parametric drainage structures that are authored in Autodesk Inventor using the Infrastructure Part Shape Utilities tools can be brought into the Infrastructure Parts Editor in .IPT format for further customization. Use the Parts Editor to publish custom drainage structure parts assembly catalogs to Autodesk InfraWorks or Autodesk Civil 3D. |
| Pipes and Fittings | AutoCAD Plant 3D | Yes | n/a | n/a | n/a | No | You can also add AutoCAD Plant 3D pressure pipe catalogs to the Infrastructure Parts Editor in .PSPC, .PSPX, or .PCAT file format. Use the Parts Editor to publish custom piping parts catalogs to Autodesk InfraWorks or Autodesk Civil 3D. |
| Bridge Components | Infrastructure Part Shape Utilities for Autodesk Inventor | No | No | No | No | Yes | Parametric bridge components are not supported by the Infrastructure Parts Editor. Instead, you can add parametric bridge and tunnel components to the Style Palette. |
| Road Decorations | Infrastructure Part Shape Utilities for Autodesk Inventor | No | No | No | No | Yes | Parametric road decorations are not supported by the Infrastructure Parts Editor. Instead, you can add parametric road decorations to the Style Palette. |
| Tunnel Sections | Infrastructure Part Shape Utilities for Autodesk Inventor | No | No | No | No | Yes | Parametric road decorations are not supported by the Infrastructure Parts Editor. Instead, you can add parametric bridge and tunnel components to the Style Palette. |