Converting Inventor pro 2018 sp2 to Autocad mech 2018

[shaeseler]

Hi Everyone,

I am having a problem exporting a parametric model from Inventor assembly file to AutoCAD. If you look at the two jpg files below you can see  what happens when I convert the files from an IAM to a DWG file. Some items to notice are the first 3 columns are extended in AutoCAD the ladders on the smoke stack are shortened, the upper platform has be blown apart and modified, our duct work has be resized and rearranged etc. This inventor IAM is a sales reference sketch for the customer. It is fine sent as an IDW file/ PDF. The 3d dwg file is for in house final engineering to use. This AutoCAD model is unusable at this time. It is a part of our process and down stream engineering to use autoCAD as our base documentation software. If we continue this way our sales pre-engineering information would be scratched and the processes would have to start from a blank slate. What is the best way to go from an IAM file to a 3D DWG file? I have the few options I know. file export.... saveas... etc. all come out the same. Some more techy folks said try it on a different machine. I am not sure why but I did and predictably the same thing happened.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I assume you are talking about exporting Inventor assembly as 3D solids in dwg file, right? If yes, the behavior does not look right. It could be Inventor misinterpreting the geometry on export. I will need to see an example. In the meantime, could you try exporting it as STEP file and then importing it to AutoCAD? Does it work better?

Many thanks!

[jhackney1972]

I would recommend using a method of exporting a .step or .sat file from Inventor and importing one of these into AutoCAD.  The commands vary greatly in their execution in AutoCAD.  You use the File, Import, Other formats to import a .step file.  It will give you a balloon message on the right hand side of the status bar telling you the translated file is ready to the imported.  Select on the link, and the file will be opened.  I think this is the best method.acis

For a .sat file, with an empty AutoCAD template open, type the command acisin and follow the prompts.

[shaeseler]

How would I send the file? it is made up of say 40 iam files and 100s of ipt files? I would be happy to do so.

Meanwhile... I have created stp and stl etc. They look awesome in Navisworks. I will try this approach to get the IAM to a DWG import.

I have tried the IAM save to cad format DWG on multiple machines with the same result. Also same for various releases for AutoCAD.

Stephen Haeseler

[shaeseler]

Will try momentarily. thanks in advance

[shaeseler]

Here is a screen shot of the IV export to sat imported into AutoCAD. This was the same result as doing the export direct to DWG from IV directly. I am sorry this was unsuccessful. So I guess I need to find out how to upload the files. I can upload a derived version I will try that next to see if you can load and duplicate my errors.

 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! It will be great if you can zip up the files and share it on a cloud drive of your choice. My email address is johnson.shiue@autodesk.com. If the zip file is less than 50MB, you can email me directly.

Many thanks!

[shaeseler]

I have sent the files via email/ Crypt Share similar to an FTP transfer program. It should get there momentarily and you should be notified via email from Stephen.Haeseler@cmigroupe.com

thank you.

the file is a rar of the packngo of the IAM file

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Could you send me the email again? I am afraid the email was blocked as a spam.

Many thanks!

[shaeseler]

re-emailed the file

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! I have taken a look at the files Stephen sent me. The behavior has something to do with non-unique file names. There are quite a few components sharing the same names but located in different file folders. This practice can introduce confusion in many ways. The BOM table can be wrong and file resolution could depend on folder order. And, exporting result can be wrong. It is better to keep file names unique.

Many thanks!

[shaeseler · Accepted solution]

I accept this is not great/ good practice of similar/ same names for sub assemblies in the files. As these are sales files there are no BOM requirements. This is for general layout. (the file naming issue is being taken care of as the models get upgraded and new models come out). This does not explain the model looking correct and converting incorrectly but I have found a work around solution for the problem. I save a level of detail as a solid piece (shrinkwrap, removing holes, pockets, radii, chamfers, create from standard mm ipt and single composite, checking remove voids and internal parts). A part file (IPT) file. at this point I open the ipt file and do my conversions to stp stl dwg etc. this makes all parts look like the original model no matter the output type. the only real problem. the hollows are solids.... and some thinner parts are filtered out. this is ok when the customer just want a place holder on their site drawing for now.

thanks for all the help. I feel this is concluded until next time,,,, 🙂