Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Is it possible to use other CAD software models in Inventor?

I am creating an assembly and would like to save time and effort and use an engine from GrabCAD. Here:

It is a solidworks file which I can open in Inventor 2013, but I don't know the best method to use.

Thanks

Sean

[#2]

Yes

[#3]

Just select File-Open from within IV, select the correct file extension or *.* for all.

[#4 · Accepted solution]

Sometimes it's not easy, as some parts only come in from import as construction geometry, and have to be re-worked. Results are a matter of luck and user's skill.

This engine is such a sample. Import it, save it with Inventor, and look in Windows Explorer at the thumbnails of the IPTs. Empty ones or showing transparent faces are the critical ones, and not all can be solved easily.

Walter

[#5]

While people are saying yes, I beleive there are some limitations to importing Solidworks data.

I think Inventor can only import Solidworks data from the previous version, e.g. Inventor 2013 can use Solidworks 2012 (or older) data.  Because Inventor 2013 was released before Solidworks 2013 it isn't programmed with the information to be able to import its data.

from the online help:

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Inventor/enu/2013/Help/1310-Autodesk1310/1892-Collabor1892/1899-Transla...

Iv 2013 can import Solidworks 2003 - 2012

Iv 2012 can import Solidworks 2003 - 2010

Iv 2011 can import Solidworks 2003 - 2010

If you are using a Solidworks release of the same version (or newer) than Inventor then I think the only option is to export to a stp or igs from SW and use that in Inventor.

Hope that makes some sense.

*edited with version info*

[#6]

I can open the final assembly fine and even do a save into Inventor format. But once I try and open the assembly there is a bunch of un-resolved issues and the models opens but with no data showing.

I'm thinking I have to open up each part and sub-assembly and do a save to convert to inventor. Then once I open the the final assembly it might work.

I tried importing to step or iges but it failed. Model lost some data and there was some obscurities.

I dont need to show all the individual parts in the assembly, can I convert the engine into one solid and maybe then try a save into inventor format??

Thanks

Sean Farr

[#7]

I opened the parts today and tired saving them and it worked for some reason. The whole assembly and individual files are converted into Inventor parts and assemblies. Not 100% sure what I did differently from yesterday but at least the engine can be opened within Inventor and placed into an Inventor Assembly.

Thnaks to all.

Sean Farr