topic Step File Units in Inventor Forum

Step File Units

stephenmcd74 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 17:40:04 GMT

Hello everyone

I need to very regularly open a lot of step part files, and then do some sketches on the part so that I can copy paste this sketch geometry into an ipt.

Problem is that every time I open a step, I have to go into Tools /Document Settings/Units, and then change cm to mm, radians to degrees, kg to g, as well as altering the dimension display precision. All of this is very tedious and repetitive.

Is there some way that I can preset all of this information, so that when I open a step, it is straight away configured in the units I need?

Many thanks for any help you can offer.

All the best

Stephen

Re: Step File Units

mcgyvr — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 17:53:33 GMT

From my understanding its defaulting to the document settings of your active "standard.ipt" file.

Change that template and it should carry those over..

I also know length units can be set in the import options dialog that comes up..

Re: Step File Units

stephenmcd74 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 18:23:41 GMT

Hi mcgyvr

My standard .ipt template is set to mm/degrees, so I don't think that is the solution.

And yes, I also have seen how it is possible to look at the import options. So if I want to open a step file, I hit "open" and then single click on that file. The "Options" tab becomes available. Click on this and a box opens which contains, among other things, a section for "Import Units". This has a dropdown which includes "Template Units" and "Millimeters".

Problem is, what is this mysterious "Template" which is referred to here, seeing as it is not the standard .ipt??

Also, if I select "Millimeters", only the actual millimeters are then correct. I still have to change all of the other stuff as usual.

Thanks for your reply

Stephen

Re: Step File Units

mcgyvr — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 19:03:52 GMT

@stephenmcd74 wrote:

Hi mcgyvr

My standard .ipt template is set to mm/degrees, so I don't think that is the solution.

And yes, I also have seen how it is possible to look at the import options. So if I want to open a step file, I hit "open" and then single click on that file. The "Options" tab becomes available. Click on this and a box opens which contains, among other things, a section for "Import Units". This has a dropdown which includes "Template Units" and "Millimeters".

Problem is, what is this mysterious "Template" which is referred to here, seeing as it is not the standard .ipt??

Also, if I select "Millimeters", only the actual millimeters are then correct. I still have to change all of the other stuff as usual.

Thanks for your reply

Stephen

Can you please post a step file that opens in cm?

Also please state the version of Inventor you are using.

Seems you are on a different version than I..

And are you selecting "template units" or "millimeters" in the options...

Also what setting do you have at tools..application options..file tab and press the "configure default templates" button.. if its not "inches" then I think you will then need to look at the standard(mm).ipt or standard(DIN).ipt or something like that..

Re: Step File Units

johnsonshiue — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 19:53:56 GMT

Hi Stephen,

I am sorry I am a bit confused with the information you have given. It sound like you have trouble importing STEP file in desirable unit even after you set the unit correctly and configure the template correctly.

I will need to see an example. Please attach a simple STEP file exhibiting the behavior.

Many thanks!

Re: Step File Units

eng.co — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 20:30:30 GMT

Hi Johnson,

I made a simple part (Example.ipt in attachment). Lengt in mm, and angle in degrees.

Then I saved this part as a step file (Example.stp in attachment).

Then I opened that step file and I saved it (Example2.ipt in attachment).

In Example2.ipt angles are in radians, and every time when I open any step file angles are in radians.

This is happening in sutuations when I open the step file directly.

When I first open template part file and then I import step file, then angles are in degrees.

Re: Step File Units

johnsonshiue — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:05:20 GMT

I see the issue now. There seems to be a behavioral change in 2018.2. For some reason, the angular unit is always radian, irrespective of the setting in the template. I need to understand the behavioral change better. It is unclear to me why such change is needed. I will work with project team to understand it better.

Many thanks!

Re: Step File Units

SBix26 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:10:20 GMT

Definitely has been happening for the last several years. Routinely got radians in all imported part files, unless I chose the template and used Import.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2018.2.3
Windows 7 SP1

Re: Step File Units

mcgyvr — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:16:36 GMT

radians are explained = bug..

Now you said it was also cm-mm kg-g,etc...?

Or was it just radians?

Re: Step File Units

stephenmcd74 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:27:34 GMT

Hello again

To answer the question from earlier, I am using Inventor 2015, so I think that I can't import a step file into a part file. Instead I just open the step file, and lift the geometry I need from it and then copy/paste this into an .ipt.

When I open the step file in this way, it is always configured with cm/rad/kg, and the dimension resolution is not what I need, so I have to manually change these settings every time I open a step.

I have attached a step file as requested, and a file showing the Document Settings Box after I open it.

Thanks

Stephen

Re: Step File Units

JBerns — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:45:46 GMT

@johnsonshiue,

The angle units issue of always being radians persists with Inventor 2019.4.4 when imported STP files.

I made a part in Inventor. I verified the Length units were "inches" and the Angle units were "degree".

I exported three parts using the 203, 214, and 242 formats.

During import I selected Inventor Length Units = "From source".

All three parts imported with the correct length units, but all three parts had radian Angle units.

I think we need an "Inventor Angle Units" control in the Import dialog box.

Regards,

Jerry

Re: Step File Units

johnsonshiue — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 20:59:14 GMT

Hi Jerry,

I have heard this request before. The issue here is that STEP file only supports radian unit. In the past, we obeyed document angular unit and convert to degree accordingly. But, we got negative feedback because the result is inconsistent with the STEP source.

I see your point also because Inventor users like to model in degree. I think there should be an option to control the behavior. However, STEP is kind of unique in this case. If possible, please feel free to report it on Inventor Ideas forum.

Many thanks!

Re: Step File Units

JBerns — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 21:27:20 GMT

Johnson,

Thanks for the feedback. I noticed a similar behavior for Parasolid files (x_b and x_t).

Good to know that about the STEP file angle units being limited to radians only.

Regards,

Jerry