Converting Inventor Surface Models to Solid

[Mohammad.choudhary]

Hi, 

I appreciate this topic has been discussed numerous times however I have spent hours researching watching videos of how to repair a surface model into a solid model. Is there a simple method of converting surface to solid? Can you convert to solid from importing window?  I am importing a SAT file into inventor and converting to an .IPT.  I have attached a typical file I need converting to a solid. Any help would be appreciated. 

[JonathanKruger]

Set the properties of the surface and change the colour. EDIT: Thanks for the correction @JDMather . Here is a little Video for more clarity on how to set the appearances https://autode.sk/3R5FnRZ 

  

[JDMather]

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@JonathanKruger wrote:

 Just note that the surface wont go through to the drawing environment. 

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@JonathanKruger 
This is incorrect information.

Surfaces can be used for 2D documentation just like solids - you just have to tell Inventor to use them.

[JonathanKruger]

Oh, My bad I always remember it being a issue to get Inventor to show the surface of a part file that had mixed objects in it, I have corrected my post. @JDMather Could you post the steps as I did look briefly but didn't see any options to show the surface so I must be missing a step somewhere. Glad to learn something new

[JDMather]

@JonathanKruger 

Include ipt surfaces in drawing...

[JonathanKruger]

Thank you, I was definitely looking in the wrong place. I see why you are the CAD Whisper

[cadman777]

I agree Sam, but only if it's a 'one-off', and like you said, not needing any modification.

Here's more reasons why:

1. If I need to scale it or modify it, then on IV2010 it needs to be a solid, b/c in IV2010 a Derived surface disappears in the Child part. Does that happen on 2023?

2. Editing a surface is more time consuming and difficult than editing a solid. So the question in my mind is, will the initial conversion from surface to solid be more time consuming than subsequent edits to the surface assembly? I found that most of the time it's easier to just fix it or make a native Inventor model. The OP's model would be very easy to remake. Just Project some profiles and Spin and Extrude them. See attached, which took 15 mins to make ('a'=WIP, 'b'=final).

3. In IV2010, a section view will not show up correctly in a drawing, even with 'Include All Surfaces' ticked.

4. When a vendor file is complicated, and when it comes in as a complex surface or group of surfaces, you are then forced to delete a lot of garbage off of it. If not, it becomes a 'tumor' in your assembly. Motors and gear reducers are good examples (esp. motors with all those useless fins!). On a large assembly, it adds to computing resource drain.

So, before vendor provided 3d models became readily available to us, I found it easier to just throw together a native Inventor model, or fix the surface mess by making it into a solid. Motors are very easy, b/c they have 2 cylinders and a rectangular extrusion, and sometimes (on huge motors) a 'doghouse' on top. Once you have one made, you can reuse it in new projects by making a few dimensional changes to change the sizes of its features.