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Hello All,
I have a question. This is theoretical question because I have never worked in Autodesk Advance Steel. For example, client sent me 3D model wrote in .step extension (model was built in Autodesk Inventor and exported to step file). Based on this model he wants build railings. Is it possible to build a railing basing on step model? Or it should be built in Autodesk Advance Steel?
Thank you,
BR
Martin
Hi,
A STEP file is a format containing just solid shapes. I am not sure if a Step import has been added into the latest build of AutoCAD and Advance Steel (I have all sorts of applications so not sure if my function came from one of them). I would prefer to ask for an ACIS *.sat file. That will work just as well with the same result when imported.
Once imported you will have 3DSolids in your model that you can relate your Advance Steel model to. You cannot interact between the solids and the AS members though. So you need a proper AS beam to use to place the railing macro on. If you import the ACIS solids as a special part then you can clash check to them. You will be able to see the items on your drawings etc.
There is no way to share intelligent beams, plates etc. between Inventor and AS. (In Inventor they are just shapes; it doesn't really understand beams and plates). If you explode your model in AS you can then export it as ACIS and send it back to Inventor or similar for them to show in their models and drawings.
There are various formats to exchange intelligent data with other programs that understand structural members.
Aleck Giles, Structures Consultant, Graitec
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Inventor speaks ancient Greek and AS speaks Klingon. Trying to get them to communicate directly is understandably difficult.
Another option would be to open the provided model (STP, SAT, or otherwise) in Navisworks and publish it to NWD. Alternatively, the provider of the model may be able to do this. This format can be referenced into most Autodesk programs now. Like the other neutral formats it's not intelligent but useful for getting accurate positions of objects.
Neutral format files for solids can be very "heavy" for loading into AutoCAD-based programs. Its usually best to load it once, model over it to locate critical points and clearances using basic boxes/cylinders/etc., then detach it and use the lightweight reference model.
John Bennett
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