3DS Max 2012 to Inventor 2012

[Ross33]

Hi,

Maybe I should post this on the 3DS Max forum, but here goes anyway.

I have this 3d scan file (STL) that has been processed into 3DS Max. My issue is that I am trying to get this surface into Inventor (via .SAT export). This process has worked for me using basic models, but I fear that this model is too complex to export (I have left it to export for hours without any luck).

Has anyone got any tips on shrinking the mesh size or something, therefore allowing me to export? -or potentially another method of getting said file into inventor.

I'm rather unfamiliar with 3DS.

 I am not able to attach the said file, as it is too large to post. Sorry.

Thankyou in advance.

Cheers.

[JDMather]

Faceted surface files are generally of little use in an MCAD program other than for reference.
How big is the file?

Can you post a screen shot of the geometry?

If you do get it into Inventor I wuld only use for reference and then delete.

[Ross33]

Surface_1 shows the overall piece (roughly 280mm long)

Surface_2 shows a close-up with a polygon selected

Before recieving this scan I had tested importing to inventor using an SAT of a file processed through 3ds Max. This worked as the SAT came through as a surface and I was able to use it as a "cutting tool" to split another part.