I know this a strange workflow. Our client has only inventor. I need to make a pipedesign in a factory. I want to use my plant 3d software. After the projec at the client he needs to maintain and edit the model for future purposes. Is it possible to export my plant 3d work to inventor letting my client edit the piping. It is no problem that data and connections were lost. What file format is best?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by TomislavGolubovic. Go to Solution.
You can import a 'dumb' Plant3D model into Inventor. Type EXPORTTOAUTOCAD and create a new 'dumb' DWG file of your Plant model.
As for continued editing, it will be limiting in what they can do, if anything in Inventor with the Plant entities.
consider:
doing the piping in Inventor Pro (routed systems)
then dump PCF from inventor and import into Plant3d for creating ISO
not sure if it will fly, but in theory, and from the autodesk advertising blurb, it should be possible
Hi snijdam,
Could Tomislav help you? Please, mark it as solved. Otherwise let us know.
Thanks
Bernd
Thank you!
Helpped me out too for importing plant 3d piping to inventor.
I'm working in 2014 and i really need to export files to make my manufacturer able to import them to inventor.
Whenever i try to export i get this message.
I have tried 2007 and 2010 format.
I have run project audit, drawing audit, plantaudit and compress database. Drawing is also purged, all x-refs disconected. Drawing contains plant piping only.
Any suggestions is highly appreciated....
We use inventor as our main tool, the tube and pipe is ok for short runs and skids but the isogen creation is poor, especially when exporting to third party like Alias. So for longer pipe runs we use plant 3D to create the runs and produce the required isometrics. On the flip side, the ortho drawing in plant 3D is awful, so slow and labour intensive, but the drawing output from Inventor is so much better. At the end of the day, its the drawings we produce the client sees.
Our method is :-
Firstly create all the structures in inventor.
Export as Autocad
Import this dwg into plant 3D as a reference.
Create all the pipe runs.
Export the pipe runs to a dummy dwg file
Open this dummy dwg in Autocad - pipes come in as solids, fittings as blocks
Explode the blocks so they become solids ( careful not to select the pipes when exploding as they then become surfaces )
We then have a dwg file with all solids.
Export this as a SAT file
Import the SAT file back in inventor
Key point is to keep the origins in inventor, autocad and plant 3D the sam, then you can assemble everything on the base datum planes.
The only downside is we lose associative function between the structure and pipes, so best to do it at the end to minimise changes.
We then end up with great drawings and great isometrics.
Its all a bit of a work around but drawings pay the bills.
Looking forward to Autodesk sorting out Inventor Tube and Pipe Iso's at some point, but been saying that for 10 years !
Hi guys..
i had tried that method..using that exportcad command ..but apparently the result after i open the file by using sat ..the result as i shown in attachment file...so how do i change the visual of the pipe to smooth looking..and how am i suppose to keep the others equipment stay in inventor..cause when i open it ..elbow..tee etc missing..
When you create your Dummy .dwg file from plant 3D, the pipe lengths are already 3D solids but the fittings ( elbows, flanges etc ) are blocks.
So before you export to SAT you need to explode the fittings and they then become 3D solids. However, be careful not to explode the pipe lengths as these then become surfaces.
Essentially you need all the parts to be 3D solids before you export to SAT, then they import into Inventor ok, otherwise they end up missing like you have found.
Not sure why the pipes aren't smooth, I've not had that ?
I exported to Autocad (EXPORTTOAUTOCAD), Then opened the dwg file in Autocad so that I can save my sat file but when I explode an Elbow or Flange they vanish????
"consider:
doing the piping in Inventor Pro (routed systems)
then dump PCF from inventor and import into Plant3d for creating ISO"
Hi, can you do it?, how could be done?
thanks in advance
It can be done!. The inventor file must be in the same units in plan 3D
Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the community or share your knowledge.