topic Re: Derive component .ipt.iam in Inventor Forum

Derive component .ipt.iam

ThomasNielsen6001 — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:01:47 GMT

Hi. When using derive component, the default(last file) name changes from xxx.ipt to xxx.ipt.iam in the filename selection box, after using the comand for the first time in a session. This meens that i need to delete .iam or browse the file again, instead of only pressing open or hit enter, like in all previus versions since 2005.

Why is the .iam added? Is there an option to deselect .iam, so it will not appear in the filename?

When chosing .ipt in the component files box, the .iam is not removed and the selected option (only .ipt) is reset for the next/new part created.

I sometimes use a sketch based skeleton system where i use derive component for making new parts: Create new part, derive componet, select sketsches i want to use from the skeleton, create part, repeat....

Sometimes it can be dozens in a row, and therefore it is anoing to find and select the same file over and over again. First world problem 🙂

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

johnsonshiue — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:09:49 GMT

Hi Thomas,

I must not have followed the steps correctly. I cannot reproduce it on Inventor 2026. Do you have any custom Add-In or Vault Data Standard Add-In running? Try disabling those and see if it helps.

Many thanks!

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

Ihor_Radikhovskyi — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:54:56 GMT

Hi Thomas,

I can reproduce similar behavior occasionally when the file dialog remembers the previous file filter (*.ipt, *.iam). If the last used file was an assembly, Inventor may append .iam when the dialog reopens.

You could try checking:

if the file type filter is set to Component Files (.ipt, .iam)
switching it to Part Files (*.ipt) before selecting the skeleton part

Also worth checking if the behavior persists after:

restarting Inventor
disabling any Add-ins (as Johnson suggested)

If you are doing a skeleton / derive workflow with many parts, another option is to keep the skeleton part open and drag sketches from the browser into the new part. That avoids reopening the file dialog each time.

Curious if the .ipt.iam still appears when the filter is set to Part Files only.

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

ThomasNielsen6001 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:27:29 GMT

I might have some add ins, but i have a friend, who has a clean installation of inventor without any special add ins. he experience the same.

When repeatingly using derive component this happens in the same session. When starting inventor again it happens after first time derive component. But only with .ipt not when using .iam, then the sellection is remembered.

I do not understand how to keep the skeleton open and draging the sketches into a part, how does that workflow work?

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

ThomasNielsen6001 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:55:09 GMT

In the meantime i have been talking to other Inventor users, and they experience the same issue, one claming it came after an update, which one, he cannot remember.

When making a new part and deriving a skeleton or other .ipt into the part, after first time deriving, the suffex/file type changes to .ipt.iam, in the file name box.

When deriving an .iam into a part, the file type does not change, and the suggested file is the same, hence: Hit enter and continue, like in the good old times.

It has no affect to change the component file type to .ipt, the name stays the same.

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

Ihor_Radikhovskyi — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:05:56 GMT

This looks like a file dialog issue rather than a Derive problem.

Inventor remembers the last used file filter (e.g. *.ipt, *.iam). If the last file type was an assembly, it may append .iam to an already valid .ipt filename when reopening the dialog.

Workarounds:

switch the filter to Part Files (*.ipt) before selecting
or just reselect the file instead of using the prefilled name

Since this is reproducible for multiple users (even on clean installs), it’s likely a bug.

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

ThomasNielsen6001 — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:10:07 GMT

I fully agree with you, it is a bug in the file dialog and bugs can be fixed 🙂

Workaround 1 does not work, on my PC, it makes no difference.

Workaround 2 does not work for me 🙂 It is annoying, first world problem.

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

johnsonshiue — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:46:13 GMT

Hi! Indeed, if the behavior can be reproduced persistently, it will be great and it will be likely fixed. If you know the steps to reproduce the behavior, please let us know asap.

Many thanks!

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

ThomasNielsen6001 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 03:11:45 GMT

When you use derive component two times in a row, this occours. I do not know how to explain it easier.

Re: Derive component .ipt.iam

johnsonshiue — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:24:38 GMT

Hi Thomas,

I am sorry I must not have followed the steps correctly. I still cannot reproduce it on my machine by deriving parts repeatedly. Please try disabling all Add-Ins and see if the behavior is still reproducible. Or please record a video showing the exact workflow.

Many thanks!