Exporting step file from Inventor creates a 3dsmax biped step file

[mjgky30SA]

I have been exporting an iam to a step file to send to a customer but they say it takes a long time to open then there is no content.  When I looks at the file type it is exported as a 3Dsmax biped step file.  What can I do to correct this?   Thank you!

(I am using Inventor Professional 2023)

[doug_bowker_3D]

It doesn't really become a Biped file. That's just Windows seeing a like extension and declaring it as such. It certainly will not work with Biped in any sense of the word. It's no different than .txt or .log file; each can be opened by any number of text editors, but only one will be "assigned" to the extension. If someone is trying to bring in a STEP file as a Biped file it will absolutely fail, if not crash Max, assuming that is what they are using.

However, if they use Max they should be able to import native Inventor files already.

Anyway, for them or anyone else here are a few tips:

1. As a general principle, imports of complex assemblies is sometimes more art than science. I import .STP files all the time from customers and most come in relatively clean, some not so much; about 5% fail altogether for no obvious reason.
2. Translation: The process happens all at once, meaning it can't bring in a section at a time and thus it also takes up a lot of RAM. So a .STP file over 200MB can take up to 10 minutes to import, even though a native Max over 600MB might only take 45 seconds.
3. Use File/Import for the operation, not the Drag n Drop into the viewport method with the setting below for best results.

[mjgky30SA · Accepted solution]

Hi Doug, I don't use 3DsMax.  I was exporting an iam from Inventor to a stp file and they all showed as a biped file after exporting, which is why I had this posted in the Inventor forum. I figured it out but I am not sure how file association changed.   Thank you for your input though!