Automatic generation of thumbnails when opening step files - Inventor 2016

[RichardB]

In previous versions of Inventor it was possible to open step files and from the 'options' dialogue box choose to save each part of the assy as they loaded, this would automatically generate a thumnail image for each part during the load. In 2016 the 'options' box is greyed-out when opening steps.

Is there an alternative way of automatically generating thumbnails for parts and assys? I generally deal with step files containing hundreds of parts, so manually creating thumbnails for each item is not practicle.

Help please! Thanks Rich

[CADMonkey4Life]

Hi Rich,

In Inventor 2016 Autodesk introduced the Import CAD method for importing other files than native Inventor files.

If you click on new and import CAD you'll get a nice wizard that walks you thru all the "steps" (humor) on importing the file, in this case the step file.

Did this help you? I agree with you that we should still have the option giving more ways to import 🙂

[RichardB]

Hi Dave, I've used this method to open the step, however there is no option to save each part file during load, so no thumbnails.

[CADMonkey4Life]

But is the step saved as multi body? If saved as single body Inventor will have a hard time splitting it. Another way is to split it afterwards in the ipt into a multibody ipt and then create an assembly from that.
🙂

[RichardB]

Yeah, the step is a true assembly with separate part files.

[CADMonkey4Life]

Found a funny thing, bug or not but when importing a step into an existing assembly the option to import it as an assembly structure lights up.

A little bit of workaround but...

[CADMonkey4Life]

Just a cross reference here from another similar thread.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-general-discussion/step-files-options-box-greyed-out/td-p/560...

[RichardB]

This is how it's done!

First of all you need to import the STEP file with the options available and then save the assembly with all of the parts into the folder. Looking in the project folder you will only have one thumbnail displaying and this will be of the top level.

Solution

·         Open the STEP  file

·         Save and close the new assembly (ensuring all parts are saved)

·         Open Task Scheduler 2016 (Start>All Programs>Autodesk>Autodesk Inventor 2016>Tools)

·         Pick Create Task

·         Pick Update Design

·         In the update design dialogue box select Add Files (red box below)

·         Pick the top level assembly

·         The Options window will then appear pick it and select Total Rebuild

·         Pick OK

·         You can either schedule a time or pick the Immediately box

·         Pick OK

This will then go through and generate all of the thumbnails. It can take some time depending on the size and number of parts so it can be scheduled to run at a convenient time.

[Mark.Lancaster]

Sorry a little of topic but I've seen a lot of questions recently about the ANYCAD workflow so I wanted to clarify it since some of the workflow was indicated by CADMonkey4Life

When you "place" or "place Imported CAD FIles" in your assembly you have the ability to import it as an assembly (if the imported file is an assembly) or a single (multi-body) part file.

If you directly open your imported file and the imported file is an assembly, it is maintained as an assembly.

If you start a new part and select import, then you can convert an imported assembly into a single part file.

Also not sure if it will make a difference (in making the tumbnails) but you could pick the "Select" dialog box tab and load the model as indicated in this article: http://synergiscadblog.com/2015/08/19/inventor-2016-anycad-technology/