topic Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor? in Inventor Forum

How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Wed, 29 May 2024 12:40:57 GMT

Hi all,

I have an autocad 3D file from a supplier, which i want to look at using my spacemouse.

In Autocad LT, I can orbit the model by switching from Top to left etc. But i cannot look at it on custom angles.

How can I convert the autocad 3D file to a certain file output that lets me orbit freely in Inventor?

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:11:39 GMT

Export to IGS

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:15:28 GMT

Hi,

I can (within autocad LT) only export to:

.WMF

.BMP

.DWG

.DGN

.DWT

.DXF

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

Frederick_Law — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:23:52 GMT

AutoCAD 3D?

DWG file?

Just open it in Inventor.

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

LT.Rusty — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:37:23 GMT

Unfortunately, AutoCAD LT will show you the 3D, but will only give you the tools to work on the file (or export it) in 2D.

Have you tried opening the .DWG itself in Inventor? Sometimes you can get them to open, although I've only had spotty luck with that.

Failing that, you can download Navisworks Freedom and you should be able to open it in there to view in 3D.

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jtylerbc — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:28:32 GMT

@kacper.suchomski wrote:
Hi
Export to IGS

This would work, but is an unnecessary extra step. Just use "Import DWG" in Inventor. Inventor has been able to directly import 3D AutoCAD geometry for a long time, so there is no need to go through a neutral format.

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

johnsonshiue — Wed, 29 May 2024 22:59:25 GMT

Hi! Inventor can open or import AutoCAD dwg file (2D/3D). It should just work. Please share an example that is not working. I would like to understand the issue better.

Many thanks!

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Thu, 30 May 2024 07:37:51 GMT

Hi,

When i do, it says "a valid inventor drawing template is required to open Autocad DWG files.
I have the autocad drawing template in my "default" folder.

I'm willing to send the drawing in DM, but i don't think it is an issue with the drawing as per.

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jtylerbc — Thu, 30 May 2024 13:37:55 GMT

First, make sure you're clicking "Import DWG", not "Open DWG". That's probably not the cause of your error, but will cause you to get different results than what you're looking for. "Import DWG" converts the geometry to Inventor format, similar to importing a STEP or IGES file. "Open DWG" would just use Inventor as a viewer for the AutoCAD file.

Are you able to start an Inventor drawing, or do you get a message about a missing template when you try to do so?

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:38:01 GMT

Hi,

When I "import DWG" I get a warning saying: (...) Standard.iam was not found. I'm sure i have this one in my folder, as this is my "normal" assembly template.

When I "ok" that message, i see a plain 2D file with a lot of sketch symbols which are not visible.

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

CCarreiras — Fri, 31 May 2024 11:16:56 GMT

Can you share the file and we try to open it?

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:46:42 GMT

Hereby in the attachments!

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

RajSchmidt — Fri, 31 May 2024 12:30:23 GMT

In Inventor 2023 I can open the file and view it, no problem. If I import it, I get an IPT with a bunch of faces. And during the import I can also choose the template.

Nonetheless, you should make sure your template is called “Standard.iam”. Autodesk changed the template names in localized versions a while ago. E.g. in the German version they were changed from “Norm.*” to “Standard.*”

Re: How to open Autocad 3D in Inventor?

jesseHJ8N3 — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:51:50 GMT

Ah, The final part was the issue!

Bit surprised it doesn't just pick the one dwg template available.

Thankyou!