Inventor 2012 and STP files

[cliff.haynes]

When I try to open a STP file from windows explorer it opens via inventor 2011 instead of 2012. In the file options, it will only let me choose 2011 and not 2012. Even if I browse to 2012, it will only open 2011. Is there a fix for this?

Thanks!

[mflayler2]

Don't open files from Windows Explorer.  This method of opening has never been suggested by Autodesk even though it works.  Use the Application to open the files and you even get a TON of more options for the stp file.

[KevinLi-Autodesk]

Right, please open it in your inventor, then you will see STEP Import Options dialog box (see attachment).

Regards,

Kevin Li

SQA Engineer, Autodesk, Inc.

Hongyuan.Li@autodesk.com

[cliff.haynes]

I know how to open via Inventor. I actually prefer that method, but sometimes it would be nice to open via Windows Explorer, by simply double clicking on the file to open. Strange how it worked for 2011 and not 2012. Why would they do away with that functionality?

[RogerMollon]

Cliff,

What program/application is used when you double click on a file on Windows Explorer is controlled by the "File Associations" seetings in WIndows Explorer not necessarily by the applications.  During install, applications create these file associations for their proprietary file extensions, as inventor does for .iam, .ipt, and so on; but it would be heavy handed to automatically associate to standard extensions like .stp, .igs, and so on.  I suspect at some point someone manually created the .stp file association to Inventor 2011 within Windows Explorer.  To get what you want with Inventor 2012, go into "FIle Associations" in Windows Explorer and change .stp (and probably .step) to point to Inventor 2012 instead of Inventor 2011.

I hope this helps,

[dandiddlydandan]

Hi,

I have just searched the same problem that the original poster described. We often get emailed .stp/.step files so, its really handy to able to open them straight from outlook/explorer.

But the exact same happens; it opens in Inv2010 not 2012.

I have tried shift+right click> open with, then browse to Inv2012 which opens it for that instance only.

I've also tried Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations and changing the association that way but when I click "OK" after browsing to the inv2012.exe, It still shows as 2010 in the list of extension.

I seem to remember our IT guy having trouble with InvetorVeiw association trouble when upgrading from 2010 to 2012. even after completely removing 2010. Not sure how/if this got resolved, I will check!

So, to recap i'm trying to fix my File associations for .stp files when opening from explorer. Currently they open with Inv2010, I would like to open them in 2012. I would rather not uninstall 2010 but I have to I can!

Thanks in advance!

Dan

Ps Win7pro sp1, Inventor 2012 64bit sp1

[ozitag]

Here's a link to a discussion that should fix it.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Inventor/Associate-inventor-to-step-files/m-p/2648270/highlig...

Scroll down to message 7 for the solution. 

It's probably a good idea to read the rest of the discussion too. As said previously, it is better to open step files through inventor, but the above solution should make it possible to double click on them.

Regards,

Ozitag.

[dandiddlydandan]

Thanks for the info Ozitag.

Why is is it better to open through inventor, doesn't it go through he same import process when opening both ways?

I don't seem to have a 'file types tab' in folder options. See attach. After a bit of googling it seems it was removed in win7.

Some options are available in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs, but not the tool to delete associations.

Does this mean it has to done through the registry?

Cheers,

dan

[ozitag]

I'm not familiar with Win7, in fact I have never played with it myself. Seen it from a distance but that's about it, so I can't help you there. Sorry I couldn't help more.

Regards,

Ozitag.

[mcgyvr]

For Win7

Right click on the file you want to associate with Inventor 2012 in windows explorer. Select "Open With" flyout so you can hit the button "Choose default program". Make sure you check the box "always use the selected program to open this type of file" then browse for the exe or pick INV2012. done.. If it didn't work you didn't do it right.

[dandiddlydandan]

Update:

I found this, which describes our problem and poses a solution.

I tried the registry fix which made it possible to select INV2012 in the "open with" dialogue. So far so good.

Now when I double click a .stp file from explorer, INV2012 opens but doesn't actually load the part. I guess this is partly why autodesk don't recommend using Inventor as the default program for .stp files!

I think we've spent enough time on this now and I guess we'll have to settle for opening every thing through Inventor>File>Open.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Danny

[dandiddlydandan]

Mcgyvr,

Thanks for the info, but the problem (as explained in an earlier post) was that when you right click>open with INV2012 doesn't show up in the list of programs to make default. Even when you browse to the .exe it "ignores" that fact that you've just click it!?

Danny

[mcgyvr]

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@dandiddlydandan wrote:

Mcgyvr,

Thanks for the info, but the problem (as explained in an earlier post) was that when you right click>open with INV2012 doesn't show up in the list of programs to make default. Even when you browse to the .exe it "ignores" that fact that you've just click it!?

Danny

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Ahh. yes.. You can associate stp files with Inventor viewer but not Inventor for some reason.