Import IFC files

[maskintegning_dk]

Hello.

I am wondering why I can export an IFC from Inventor, but I can not import an IFC file to Inventor.

Why is that so? I run in to this problem approx two times a month.

Is it something Autodesk is working on?

Am I doing something wrong?

Have a nice day.

Kind regards, Lars

[cadman777]

I had to deal with this issue some years ago.

It had to do with Revit-Inventor file swapping.

Back then there was 'an uproar' about the problems associated with interpolability between the two programs.

I don't know if it was ever solved.

But I bet if you ask this question in the Revit forum, you're likely to find an answer.

Sorry I don't have any better solution!

Maybe someone else does?

[pcrawley]

@maskintegning_dk - As @cadman777 says, IFC to Revit > Inventor works OK (if you have access to Revit).

Failing that, get registered on the beta forum (https://feedback.autodesk.com/) 

You will not be disappointed by what you find.

[maskintegning_dk]

Hello @cadman777 

I have locked into "Autodesk Feedback Community Home"

What site/opportunity do you want me to look at?

I don't have Revit installed.

Kind regards, Lars

[cadman777]

You don't need to be using Revit.

You can visit any one of the Revit Forums here.

The key to this is finding out how the Revit guys transfer files to and from Inventor.

Then try to use that info to create your own work-flow.

If you still can't do it, then I would suggest using Google to search for translators.

Either way, this was a very complex operation last time I looked.

So unless things have changed dramatically with the IFC standards and the software developers of the various CAD programs, there probably isn't any easy or simple solution for you. 

[maskintegning_dk]

@cadman777 

Hi again.

OK.I'll try look into it. Thank you.

Kind regards, Lars

[peterKMFDM]

I'll have to disagree based on recent experience.  It isn't difficult or complex.  The only problem is that Inventor doesn't have an IFC importer yet.  You can open Revit, import the IFC, save it, open Inventor and import the .rvt file.  Job done.

If you want a "quick" view of the content of an IFC file, even the Autodesk viewer will read them: https://viewer.autodesk.com/ 

Navisworks is also a great reader, although no export capability compatible with Inventor.)

The only problem with IFC files is that they can be HUGE - and you can end up with tens of thousands of parts in Inventor.  This is where a bit of clean-up work in Revit pays off.  Create a view - turn off all the bits you don't need - filter out all the garbage, then save it before importing it into Inventor.

[maskintegning_dk]

@peterKMFDM 

Hello.

Thank you for replying.

I don't have Revit or Navisworks. 
Inventor and AutoCad LT only.

Kind regards, Lars

[peterKMFDM]

A 30-day trial of Revit will give you plenty of time to import an IFC and export an RVT file.

Is your Inventor actually "Inventor LT"?  If so, you can't work with assemblies.

[cadman777]

I have a suggestion for you:
Do it for the OP, since you know how to do it and have Revit to do it with.

End of story.

I disagree with you about it being easy.

If you don't use Revit, then there's nothing easy about it.

And when I investigated it in the past, even though there was a pipeline between the two, it still wasn't easy.

Don't get me started on the Autodesk FILE EXCHANGE mess.

[peterKMFDM]

I do agree that it was much harder a few years ago, but importing the IFC into one application, saving it, and opening the result in another application can hardly be described as "difficult".  The most difficult part is knowing which applications to use to achieve the translation.

IFC is not an Autodesk format, so a conversation about translation is a bit of a non-starter anyway.  Inventor has some great translators - just not one for IFC yet.  IFC is an open, non-proprietary file format that has become an "international standard" in the BIM world - an area Inventor has typically not played in until recently.

@maskintegning_dk - Can you attach the IFC file and I'll translate it for you?   (Did you find out if you are running Inventor LT?)

[cadman777]

@cadman777 - this post has been edited due to Community Rules & Etiquette violation.

I'm not going to get into a contest with you.

The fact that the OP can't do it is proof that it's difficult.

All your arguments are moot at that point for that reason and many others.

[peterKMFDM]

Again, no problem. 

The forum is supposed to be a place people come to help. 

Suggest that if you can't help, don't post.

[maskintegning_dk]

@peterKMFDM 

???

[peterKMFDM]

Hi @maskintegning_dk 

Post your IFC file here, and I will translate it for you. 

I'll try and record a video so you can see the process.  

[maskintegning_dk]

Hi @peterKMFDM 

I need drawings 24-36 times a year. The reply make no sense to me, sorry.

Kind regards

[peterKMFDM]

Hi @maskintegning_dk  - Inventor cannot import IFC files, so you need something to translate it for you.

Revit is a good translator, but I understand you may not want to buy a license or learn it just for the translation of IFC files. 

Have a look at "CAD Exchanger" (CAD Exchanger: 3D CAD software to view and convert CAD files)

This software will import the IFC file, and save it as a STEP file.

[maskintegning_dk]

Hi @peterKMFDM 

Revit is not an option.

The link looks tempting. I will test it. Thank you.

Kind regards

[peterKMFDM]

You are welcome - and good luck.

Do not buy a perpetual license of the CAD Exchanger because the Inventor development team are very busy... (as suggested earlier by @pcrawley)

[maskintegning_dk]

Hi again.

Does anyone know a converting software?

Kind regards.