topic Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing in Inventor Forum

How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:24:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Hoping for a quick answer here. I'm trying to create some geometry from an imported AutoCAD file. The AutoCAD file has been imported into the part using the "Import" command under the create tab (i.e., not opened up directly and not imported into a sketch). This is a requirement, as I need this part to interface with other components in a specific location, and part of the geometry of this part will be defined by those interfaces (using derived components).

The issue I have is that when I bring the file in and locate it on the XZ plane, the drawing is flipped from what i require. I.e., I basically need the entire dwg file mirrored from how it's imported. I can't figure out how to do this - there doesn't seem to be a command, or any way to just flip it, but I feel like I just may not be seeing the command I need.

I know there may be workarounds...I've debated creating a sketch with the geometry I need, then mirroring that to get the orientation right, but that would involve creating extra geometry to ensure the dwg file is placed correctly so that when I mirror it the geometry ends up where I need it. This seems overly complex. I'm open to other ideas, but again, I feel like this should be relatively simple.

I'm on Inventor 2020.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

mdavis22569 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:59:30 GMT

Add a dwg ...

However, can you not mirror it?

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Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

Mark.Lancaster — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:36:39 GMT

@Anonymous

Perhaps I reading your requirements wrong but are you looking to right mouse click on the plane and select flip normal?

In regards for using your AutoCAD drawing, are you trying to do something like this https://synergiscadblog.com/2015/06/16/turning-2d-flat-geometry-into-3d-2/

Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

SBix26 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:21:57 GMT

To expand a little on @Mark.Lancaster 's post: since you imported the DWG file to the XZ plane, you cannot directly use Flip Normal, because the XZ plane is not alterable. Simply create a workplane 0 offset from the XZ plane and use Flip Normal on that one. That reverses the normal face of the workplane, so the imported drawing is on the opposite side.

Sam B
Inventor Pro 2020.2 | Windows 10 Home 1903
LinkedIn

Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

Mark.Lancaster — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:23:56 GMT

@SBix26

Thanks for adding the clarification.. Realized that a few mins after I posted I didn't include that... 😁

Re: How to flip imported AutoCAD drawing

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 20:16:16 GMT

Thanks for the feedback everyone - this seems like the best solution.

Does seem like it should be something that should be able to be adjusted independently of the normal. I.e., there should be an option to flip the sketch without having to create additional geometry. I'll work with that for now!

Thanks again!