Linked 2D drawings in AutoCAD model space from 3D model in the Inventor.

[pmandviwala]

Hello there,

We have worked with nearly all of our clients using Inventor 3D and 2D. One customer, however, specifically requested drawings be drawn in the AutoCAD format. We've already modeled our design in Autodesk inventor. Is it possible to have 2D drawing in AutoCAD model space while that 2D drawing is still linked to the 3D model in Autodesk Inventor?

We have tried producing drawing using commands in Layout Tab as shown in below screenshot but sadly it does not help with the drawing in model space but just on the paper space which is not preferred by our customer.

Let us know if there is any process or plugins can help us to execute this task successfully.

Any type of guidance will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[archidealhome · Accepted solution]

I understand you want to create linked 2D drawings in AutoCAD model space from your 3D Inventor model, but unfortunately this functionality isn't available. Inventor's "Insert in Model Space" function only inserts one view at a time, and breaks the link after each insertion.

Here are two alternative approaches to consider:

1. Inventor Drawing with DWG TrueConnect:
Create your 2D drawings with associative views in Inventor.
Save the Inventor drawing as an Inventor dwg file using "DWG TrueConnect" (this maintains the link).
Open this dwg file in AutoCAD. The views will come in as blocks which you can then manipulate in AutoCAD's model space.

2. Insert Views from Inventor Drawing into AutoCAD Model Space:
Create your 2D drawings with associative views in Inventor.
Save the Inventor drawing as a standard .dwg file.
Open both the Inventor drawing and a new AutoCAD file.
In AutoCAD, use the Design Center ([CTRL+2]) to browse to the Inventor drawing and expand the "Blocks" node.
Drag and drop the desired views from the Inventor drawing into your AutoCAD model space.
While these methods don't create directly linked views in AutoCAD model space, they will allow you to incorporate the Inventor views into your AutoCAD project and maintain a level of associativity through the Inventor drawing itself.

For reference, you can find Cairo prayer times online or through mobile apps.

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

In addition to following @archidealhome reply your customer could always xref the 2d dwg which is saved in model space into their dwgs. Xref clip command can be used to see only the portions of the 2d views desired. Any time you update the Inventor model run the same steps to create the 2d model space dwg and transfer those to your customer. Since they are xrefs the dwgs should automatically update. 

[pmandviwala]

@archidealhome Option-2 sounds very easy to implement and adaptable for design change. Thank you so much for your input and I really appreciate that.

Even though, it has helped automating the process, I am still trying to figure out automated BOM which is linked to Inventor. Do you know if there is any way we can make it possible? 

@paullimapa Thank you for your additional advice. Much appreciated.

[paullimapa]

You are welcome…cheers!!!