CAN YOU SAVE AN INVENTOR ASSEMBLY AS AN RFA FILE?

[Anonymous]

At my work, we only use solidworks as our modeling program. We are working with an architectural firm that requires our 3D models but they need it as an RFA file because they use Revit. No one at my work has experience with Revit to make it ourselves, if we got a free trial of the program. However, I know how to use Inventor well. As an autodesk program, I was wondering if someone could tell me if Inventor assemblies can export as an RFA file so I dont have to purchase the program to find out. Thanks

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

....so I dont have to purchase the program to find out. Thanks

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https://www.autodesk.com/products/inventor/free-trial

[Anonymous]

I have to go through company approval to download any software onto our computers, just thought someone might know so I don't have to go through all that to find out it can't export as RFA

[swalton · Accepted solution]

I've never had to do it, but the on-line help says you can. 

See: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016...

I'd install the trial and/or contact a reseller to run through the process with some of your designs.  There may be some nuances to the workflow that you need to understand in order to get a Revit model that matches your downstream needs.

[Mark.Lancaster · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

A few things..

Yes Inventor file can be converted to a Revit RFA file through the BIM Exchange workflow.  However I haven't really seen a lot of success with this workflow since the model must be simplified simplifed simplified and simplified even more.. 

Inventor version must be the same as or older then the Revit version being used?  Do you know which Revit version they require?

Although you can test using the Inventor Trial/30 day/free version to see how it works..  You can't provide your end customer with the a RFA file without subscribing to the Inventor product.   Trails can not be used to generate "live" project information.  Trails are only used to determine if you want to subscribe to the product.

However there may be a forum user here that is willing to spend the time to generate this Revit file for you.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like a winner, I'll give it a try. Thank you.  

[Anonymous]

What do you mean when you say you haven't seen too much success?

Our customer has Revit 2017. What is 'live' product information? I'm sure someone might be willing to help, since right now were doing one file as a trial run but there will be 6 or more files to make RFAs. And they are property of the company I work for, I'm just worried about copy and privacy rights.  

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

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@Anonymous wrote:

What do you mean when you say you haven't seen too much success?

The workflow has its issues, kinks and upsets..    I've seen more failures of creating an RFA from Inventor compare to ones that were successful in creating RFA files from Inventor models.

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@Anonymous wrote:

 What is 'live' product information?

You are working on an actual project for a customer, correct?  That's live production.  Is a job that your company is getting paid for.  So a trial cannot be used to create information that you are getting paid for or producing.

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katarina.scrivener wrote: And they are property of the company I work for, I'm just worried about copy and privacy rights.  

Yes you need to be concerned about your company's Intellectual Property (IP).   Don't share it if you can't.  I was just pointed out that someone here may be able to do this for you (if you can share).. 

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[Anonymous]

Thank you, you have been so very helpful. I really appreciate it. 🙂 I'm an intern and this is new to me so I appreciate getting quality advice and information in a timely manner 🙂