How to change import options for STEP model, once it has already been imported?

[bshbsh]

Hey guys,

I often run into this and makes me mad... Often when I import models (mostly STEP) into Inventor, it does not as for import options (such as if it should import it as an assembly or a single part, etc.) and just imports it - of course not the way I wanted it!

But after that, there is no way I know of, to repeat the import but change those options. Once it's been imported, it will do the same again.

The only way I know of is either rename the STEP file (which I don't want to, not even temporarily if possible), or restart Inventor, which I don't want to do either.

Is there any other way guys?

[EdvinTailwind]

Choose Reference Model during Import

Then, as long as the original file remains and the link to it is not suppressed or broken, you can just right-click on the STEP-file in the Model tree and edit:

[bshbsh]

that doesn't work with our workflow. it needs to be properly imported and converted into either ipt or iam, once. But it often times doesn't even ask for the options and just import it wrong 99% of times, and after that the options can not be changed for the same step file. (Unless renamed or inventor restarted)

[EdvinTailwind]

Sounds strange, would you mind explaining you Import workflow then? Which Inventor version are you using?

I get these options if I choose any of these to open a STEP file:

• File -> Open -> Open
• File -> Import -> Import CAD Files
• 3D Model (toolbar) -> Create ->Import

Also keep in mind that some STEP files are EXPORTED as one single solid and some as multi body, which will determine the number of options you have upon import.

[bshbsh]

Inventor 2023. Workflow is dead simple: import files and save them as inventor files, save it to the proper directory (depends on manufacturer or customer, as these are mostly purchased parts or customer povided work pieces), and use that. Whether an assembly, a multibody solid, or a single solid, depends on what it is (and I can't tell how a step was exported, if it's a multibody or single, until it's imported...) We prefer single parts for simplicity, but sometimes they need to be assemblies, but most of the time not. And that's the problem: once I import them just to see how it's structured (if at all), I can not change my mind afterwards, can not import again with different setting.

It often doesn't even show the dialog at all, and ignores my previous settings to save the files into the same folder where the step file comes from, and instead silently imports and saves them into a previously used folder in some completely different project, and then I have to go and find the inventor files, where did it save them?! Really annoying.