Import 3dsMax model with smooth surface and scale with derive in Inventor

[lodes39]

Hello,

My question directly related to this  similar topics on 3dsMax 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics and Inventor forums 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics

So, I've tried 2 options, but still can't get desired result.

I've exported my 3dsMax model as DWG to open it in Inventor  as described in this topic Exporting 3ds Max models to Inventor, but the step 2 "import the dwg in Inventor (make sure you use the option to create a new part otherwise you get a drawing)" , seems to me not clear enough, I'm not sure, how to "use the option to create a new part otherwise you get a drawing",  I creating new part, but I have empty drawing with opening of DWG.

Also I've tried save 3dMax model as ACIS SAT with all check-boxes checked under Export Options  and Additional 3ds Max Object Types in SAT Export, in 3dsMax model I use Polygon: Smoothing Groups, which looks like glove surface:

but with opening in Inventor,  it is mesh facets:

And when I opening ACIS SAT, which is different scale size in relation to Inventor assembly parts, I use Create Simplified Part in Inventor, after this I Derive this Single Solid Body to change  Scale factor from default 1,000 ul for example to 0,3 ul, which is close to my scale, but with pressing OK model just disappears.

Finally I've created 3dsMax model, but still can't use it in Inventor. I'm not sure, what I've missed, so I'm looking for some useful guide, how to import and successfully use 3dMax model into Inventor

[Xun.Zhang]

Howdy @lodes39, I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Hope below links can solve your problem.

https://grabcad.com/questions/how-to-import-3dsmax-file-to-autodesk-inventor

https://area.autodesk.com/blogs/max-station/n64_exporting_3ds_max_models_to_inventor/

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/3ds-max-to-inventor/td-p/3531506

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! A few things to look at. When you export Brep geometry to mesh, you get faceted faces. It is how the mesh does look like. If you want smooth faces, you may want to export it to IGES or STEP or SAT from 3D Max.

IGES and STEP are unit sensitive format, while SAT is unitless format. So it sounds like you are modeling the geometry in inches in 3DMax. Then when you exported it, it is probably in cm scale (2.54). You can easily get the proper scale in Inventor. 1) Start a new part file. 2) Go to Tools -> Doc Settings -> Units -> change length unit to cm. 3) Now go to 3D Model tab -> Import -> select the SAT file. It should import at correct scale.

Many thanks!

[MoshiurRashid]

Just export it to .igs or .step file format and than open it in Inventor.

[lodes39]

Hello, Xun.Zhang

Thank you for your feedback!

Here is what and how I've tried and what I get in result:

In 3dsMax:

1. Right click on my 3dsMax model dialog -> Convert To: -> Convert To Editable Poly
2. Modify panel -> Modifier List -> OpenSubdiv
3. Modify panel -> General Controls -> Iterations: set to 3, to reduce facets angles on polygon mesh
4. Modify panel -> Modifier List -> adding Shell with Outer Amount: 1,05 to make model layer thick
5. File -> Export -> Export...  and saved as StereLitho (*.STL) and Export STL File to ASCII or Binary (have tried both)
   

In Inventor:

1. New->Part->Open I see gray model, which shows Polygon: Smoothing Groups, but to make this model available in assembly I go to Environments -> Add-ins -> and select of Autodesk Mesh Enabler, then right click om model MeshFeature and Convert to Base Feature, in Output I choose Solid/Surface with keeping or deleting of Original (have tried both), which transforms solid view to mesh
2. New -> Part -> 3D Model -> Derive my mesh with Scale factor from 1,000 ul to 1,6 ul to make size correct for assembly parts

Mesh included to assembly with proper size, but all this processing takes long time with hangs and freezing, especially with using of Shell and Outer Amount: 1,05 in previous steps. It not looks like easy, or even correctly to say proper way to get desired result. When I'm trying to Derive this mesh with attachment to another part or just Create Simplified Part in assembly, with saving of .stl mesh disappears. So, I'm still trying to figure out, how to make mesh solid form to edit it in Inventor and save solid model as .stl for printing

[lodes39]

Hello, MoshiurRashid

Thank you for your feedback

I've tried export ATF IGES (*.IGS) from 3dsMax, but with opening in Inventor  it is empty screen with 3rd Party, View: Master, Origin in Model components list.

Maybe I have to import .IGS in Inventor some different way?

.STEP format just does not exists in Save as Type: list

[Xun.Zhang]

Hello @lodes39,

Please import the igs file as convert mode and make sure that all types are selected.

By the way, what if post the 3d Max file here or send to me directly for more research?

[lodes39]

Hello, johnsonshiue

Thank you for your feedback

I've tried save ATF IGES (*.IGS) from 3dsMax, but when I'm trying to open it in Inventor  I got empty screen with 3rd Party, View: Master, Origin in Model components list.

And I can't see .STEP format in Save as Type: list

3dsMax exported DWG  opens in Inventor  as empty drawing

 ACIS SAT with all check-boxes checked under Export Options  and Additional 3ds Max Object Types in SAT Export behaves similarly to .STL, which steps described in my answer to Xun.Zhang above, but in this case with hanging and complete freezing just with saving of file, if I use Shell with Outer Amount: 1,05 to make  layer thick. So, to check change of size followed your guide, first I should save it with all requirements, otherwise it does nothing to be useful in my particular case

[lodes39]

In Inventor I've created New -> Part, on the ribbon clicked Manage tab Insert panel Import,  in Files of Type: select IGES Files (*.igs;*.ige;*.iges) and Open model.IGS, but Options does not appears, just opens same empty screen same way as with Ctrl+O folder

I've attached 3dsMax file, this is my first lesson with 3dsMax, instigated by project design, it is very raw sketch of model, which requires finishing and all other needs, to be useful according requirements,  it is quite possible that there will be novice mistakes. So, please, guide me to identify the problem to find out with my main task of successfull combining 3dsMax model with parts of Inventor assembly, described in details on Inventor Forum: 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics

and 3dsMax Forum: 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics question posts.

Thank you for your support

[lodes39]

It looks like all check-boxes in file Options are checked, I just thought it was some other options, apparently just different versions (I'm using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2015), because I can't see Convert mode check-box in my IGES Import Options window, I'm not sure, how to check Convert mode,  anyway it looks like the same options window, and same if I open from Manage tab Insert panel Import or Open, Import dialog boxes:

Empty screen:

[JDMather]

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@lodes39 wrote:

I've exported my 3dsMax model as DWG

Also I've tried save 3dMax model as ACIS SAT 

but with opening in Inventor,  it is mesh facets:

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Can you Attach your *.dwg and *.sat and *.igs files here.

In the end though, I think you will have to remodel in Inventor to avoid faceted mesh.

[lodes39]

Hello, JDMather!

Thank you for your feedback

I've included to attached archive:

.DWG:

and .IGS, both content includes OpenSubdiv, Shell and Polygon: Smoothing Groups from 3dsMax file, also added to archive, and .SAT:

which uses only Polygon: Smoothing Groups on Edit Poly, without OpenSubdiv and Shell, otherwise it is impossible to save the file, because program hangs to complete freezing, worse than with equal content of .STL, which in the end somehow copes to save format, then in Inventor same way difficult manages convert it to the Base Feature. So, by this reason .SAT seems less useful in my particular environment, or requires some different setup, I guess. Without last bottom check-box Export Mesh Objects appears message: NURBS Brep Export "No NURBS Brep Objects Exported, None Selected or None in Scene". 

[JDMather]

What version of Inventor?

What are your intended units? (inch or mm?)

Is the model full scale? (or is this a scaled down toy)  What should be the approximate height and width?

Before I spend too much time on this - do you realize that whatever you do you will have a faceted model?

The "smooth model" image you attached in original post is software "magic", not true geometry.

What is the purpose of the model?

If you want true smooth faces you will need to learn T-spline modeling.

[lodes39]

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What version of Inventor?

What are your intended units? (inch or mm?)

Is the model full scale? (or is this a scaled down toy)  What should be the approximate height and width?

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I use Autodesk Inventor Professional 2015, 64-Bit Edition, Build: 203, Release: 2015 SP1

Measurement units is millimeters.

Exact dimensions of Inventor assembly:

Face height 175 mm
Front width 135 mm
Side face width 142 mm

This 3dsMax model requires a lot of work on design yet. First I've to finish sculptural face mask of head model in 3dsMax, which must be smooth surface without edges about 2-3 millimeters thick layer, on this stage without any connections to mechanism frame.

Scale factor from 1,000 ul to 1,6 makes overall shape of this particular model approximately same scale to fit the sizes in Inventor assembly with static and dynamic parts of mechanism, to explore and design inner ratio of the frame and the face. Requires attentive work on 3dsMax model, according face mechanism topology with the most accurate dimensions. Considering that the 3dsMax model must be reworked to separate parts as nape, frontal face, eyelids, which will go to eye sockets with attachment to inner moving lid,  should be cutter from exist model, recreated and exported separately, as well as jaw and lips, consist of separate elements. It must be separate parts of face, based on this model, if I will get 3dsMax model as part able to be resized, extrude, join, cut, Derived with Inventor connection part and converted to Solid with Create Simplified Part, then added to assembly, with using of joints, constrains, and saved as solid body part to .stl for printing

Before I spend too much time on this - do you realize that whatever you do you will have a faceted model?

The "smooth model" image you attached in original post is software "magic", not true geometry.

What is the purpose of the model?

If you want true smooth faces you will need to learn T-spline modeling.

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I'm sorry for late reply, I'm just trying to answer you fully

I have not tried yet research on T-spline modeling, and I understand that the shape of this face improved by Polygon: Smoothing Groups and OpenSubdiv, but does this mean, that I cannot use this model for the intended purpose? Which is a design parts of the face for a mechanical assembly, created in Inventor. It is anthropomorphic robotic project, the skeleton, or correctly to say peripheral part of mechanism must be attached to sculptural design face elements mechanically, as in printed device, also in Inventor assembly. The image of mechanism frame shown on Inventor Forum: 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics and 3dsMax Forum: 3d Max model using in combined work with Inventor based on project specifics. Main question is the possibility of 3dsMax model using as editable part in Inventor by described requirements. Current problem is successful  export/import of format, what also defines the choice of 3dsMax as convenient environment to achieve the desired result with exist project in Inventor

Thank you for your support

[lodes39]

Hello, Xun.Zhang

I've tried to open .IGS with Inventor 2019 on my colleague's computer, but Import Type is disabled, so I'm not able to check Convert Model,  otherwise opens same empty screen, same way as in Inventor 2015, so still can't figure out, what is wrong here:

in Inventor 2019

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! The IGS file you attached was empty. Could you export it as IGES again? I personally do not believe exporting from 3D Max as mesh and bringing it to Inventor is a good workflow. 1) The mesh is an approximation. 2) Inventor has very limited mesh modeling workflow. More than likely you will need to recreate the Brep geometry in Inventor based on the mesh.

Many thanks!

[lodes39]

Hello johnsonshiue!

Export of IGS from 3dsMax does not shows any options, only Export or Export Selected. I'll send you both. As I'm new with 3dsMax, it is possible, that I'm doing something wrong before exporting, I'm not  sure what exactly, 3dsMax model already attached to (Message 12 of 16).

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More than likely you will need to recreate the Brep geometry in Inventor based on the mesh.

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Would be useful to see some close example of such recreation in most correct way, but finally it looks like that I'm not able to import this 3dsMax model in suitable format and just use it fully in Inventor. Specific question on my .IGS and .DWG import attempts also discussed here  Import Type Convert Model and file Options disabled with 3dsMax .IGS in Inventor. I guess, only possible solution to implement such sculptural work  compatible with assembly mechanics must be Inventor native Freeform, mentioned above by JDMather, and should forget about 3dsMax magic for particular goal

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