topic Re: STEP File Only Imports As Part in Inventor Forum

STEP File Only Imports As Part

Nkohlen01 — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:12:20 GMT

This complex mold design will only import as a part with no option for assembly... what can I do to get this as an assembly so I can turn on and off various components for final approval?

Re: STEP File Only Imports As Part

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:31:31 GMT

Try import inside active assembly file.

Re: STEP File Only Imports As Part

chris — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:55:59 GMT

@Nkohlen01 can you share the file or is it secret?

Re: STEP File Only Imports As Part

johnsonshiue — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:51:26 GMT

Hi! This means the STEP file is indeed exported as a part with multiple solid bodies. The author uses this to hide the assembly structure. You may also try viewing it on viewer.autodesk.com. I believe the behavior will be the same.

Many thanks!

Re: STEP File Only Imports As Part

SBix26 — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 23:42:49 GMT

As @johnsonshiue wrote, it is part file with multiple (422!) solid bodies. When importing the STEP file, you can use the Select tab to control which bodies are included in the import, if that would be helpful.

You can turn on/off the visibility of individual solid bodies, and you can create any number of View Representations with different combinations of visible bodies.

If needed, you can create an assembly from this file by using the Make Components tool. This is a wizard that guides you through the process of creating derived parts of the solid bodies you select and assembling them in a new or existing assembly file.

If you run into difficulty with any of this, post back and someone can show/explain in more detail.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025.1 | Windows 11 Home 23H2