Inventor crashing when trying to import part

[crev64]

I have some large files that I get from a customer in the form of .iges. They give me the .iges because they use CATIA. My problem is that when I try to open the .iges file, it will sit there and try to open in Inventor for about 5 mintues and then the program will just end. It doesn't give me any sort of error message before crashing, it just dissapears. I can open the files in Mastercam just fine. I tried to open the file in Mastercam and save it as a .stp. The same thing happened when opening the .stp in Inventor. I tried to change some of the options that are available when opening these files in Inventor and that doesn't seem to help. I need to get these files open in Inventor desperately. Please advise.

[michaeldavis7418]

Have you tried to open the native Catia file in Inventor?

Also, try opening the .iges in Autocad and saving it back out ....

[crev64]

I did try opening the native CATIA file in inventor. It acts like its going to work but when it's finished loading there isnt anything there. It just ends up opening a blank part and even calls it part1 or whatever number it was on. It doesn't seem to work. I will try opening the .iges in autocad.

[michaeldavis7418]

can you get them to save you a .Sat ?

[JDMather]

I don't see where in this thread you have indicated what version of Inventor you are using.

It sounds like a corrupted install.

Create a simple cube in Inventor.

Save as IGES and as STEP

Can you write out and read back in the files you created?

Have you tried opening in Inventor Fusion?

If you request an ACIS (*.sat) be sure to tell them to set to v7.

My guess is that be better route to success is to find out why your Inventor install is not reading these file types.

[michaeldavis7418]

I've seen parts come into Autocad, that would error out in Inventor ....

The file is only as good as it is exported out ... it might have conflict with the options set on the import as well ..

[crev64]

Autocad won't open it. It doesn't even give .igs as a file type to look for when opening a new file. I tried to click the file and say open with autocad but nothing happens.

I have Inventor 2009. 

[JDMather]

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@crev64 wrote:

Autocad won't open it. 

I have Inventor 2009. 

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What version of AutoCAD?  Only v2013 will open IGES and STEP.  (or AutoCAD Mechanical)

Did you try writing out simple cube and reading back in as suggested?

[crev64]

I have AutoCAD Mechanical 2009. I created a cube and saved as .igs and .stp. I closed out and came back in and I could open both files. 

[michaeldavis7418]

the command for AutoCad is igesin

[crev64]

I found how to import it into AutoCAD, which worked. Now how do I get it into Inventor?

[michaeldavis7418]

Step it out ...and then Step it into Inventor

[crev64]

I steped it out of AutoCAD, but it didn't come into Inventor. When I steped it out of AutoCAD it took like 1 second for it to convert it and save it, which seems unrealistic. When I opened in Inventor it was just blank.

Maybe a reinstall is a good method to try. I would need some guidance as to how to do that. I have a stand alone version of Inventor that comes with AutoCAD Mechanical. A reinstall would be nice because my content center doesn't work. Its empty when I try to access it.

[michaeldavis7418]

can you attach the file, and you have to pick it for the step out ....

or you could open the Autocad file directly in Inventor,

but I'd love to see if I can open it ...

[crev64]

I did select all the lines of the part when I did the step out. It didn't make a difference. Unfortunately I can't attach the part because my customers would not be happy. They are very into confidentiality.

[rdyson]

Is the original Catia solids, surfaces of mesh? I suspect the latter.

[crev64]

I'm sure that it's surfaces. It's a complex injection molded part.

[michaeldavis7418]

oh ...didn't know it was surfaces, did you see if you could change the transparent on the file you brought into IV ..

make sure you also have in the options, surfaces' clicked or it might not bring them in ..

[JDMather]

I know you tried some options, but you might read this.

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/AU2008/ML205-1P%20Mather.pdf

I forgot if you were able to step out and in a cube directly in Inventor (no AutoCAD Mechanical, only Inventor).

If this doesn't work there is definately a problem with the Inventor install.

Have you tried Inventor Fusion?  free http://labs.autodesk.com

You might also sign up for the Beta of Fusion 360 (search Google).

[rdyson]

In the Autocad dwg, select one of the surfaces and type   list   at the command line. What does it report?