Import Type Convert Model and file Options disabled with 3dsMax .IGS in Inventor

[lodes39]

Hello,

My task and problem described with attachment and previous settings for all format shown in images, including files 3dsMax model and .IGS, .DWG, .SAT exports for importing to Inventor  in replays to JDMather (Message 12 of 15) and Xun.Zhang (Message 9 of 15)  in this Import 3dsMax model with smooth surface and scale with derive in Inventor  topic question discussion, but it is still actual and I can't find any useful answer for my particular case yet. In actual post, I want to focus on a specific issue at current stage of solving main problem, which is also described separately on Inventor Forum: 3d Max model in Inventor and same 3dsMax Forum: 3d Max model in Inventor.

I've tried open .IGS, .DWG, .SAT, in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2015, 64-Bit Edition, Build: 203, Release: 2015 SP1 as described here Exporting 3ds Max models to Inventor, and now I'm trying to check the same in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2019 64-Bit Edition Build 136, Release: 2019. I've tried open and import 3 ways:  1. Ctrl+O folder  2. New -> Part, on the ribbon clicked Manage tab Insert panel Import 3. New -> Part, on the ribbon clicked 3D Model tab Create panel Import. But result is same mostly in all cases:

1. DWG opens same way as empty drawing.
2. SAT opens as heavy mesh, but in addition unlike Inventor 2015 does not shows already installed Autodesk Mesh Enabler in Add-ins of Environments to Convert to Base Feature on Output with Solid/Surface
   
3. IGS which seems most promising, file opening Options and Import Type are disabled:

1. 

Any guide, advice or example would be very helpful

[Mark.Lancaster]

@lodes39 

Did you install the mesh enabler for 2019?   The mesh enabler is a add-on and doesn't come with Inventor (installation).

Starting with Inventor 2016, opening these type of files are done now through ANYCAD technology so the option button is now disabled.   IGES is not a file type you can reference so the only option you have is to convert it.   There are a limited number of files that can stay in the native format and be referenced into your model

[lodes39]

Hello, Mark.Lancaster

Thank you for your feedback

I did not installed Mesh Enabler yet, and my mesh using result with Inventor 2015 also described in (Message 5 of 15) . At the same time guide Exporting 3ds Max models to Inventor   says I should do only this steps to get it from .DWG:

• export the 3ds Max model in dwg format,
• import the dwg in Inventor (make sure you use the option to create a new part otherwise you get a drawing),
• stitch the surfaces to a solid.

I've tried open with Place Imported CAD files in assembly for .IGS, .DWG, .SAT, but in result I see model box in model list, but screen is empty. I'm not sure if it is the ANYCAD, which you've mentioned.

Please, can you help me to figure out, because I'm quite confused, if it is possible to get 3dsMax model with Polygon: Smoothing Groups on Edit Poly, OpenSubdiv and Shell as part able to be resized, extrude, join, cut, Derived with Inventor 2015 or 2019  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. All suggestions and my attempts to archive desired result shown in my Import 3dsMax model with smooth surface and scale with derive in Inventor post discussion, but I can't get direct and useful answer to this task in my particular case yet.

If it is impossible, maybe there is some other more native way to create sculptural design of face directly in Inventor 2019. I've tried Freeform, but it seems not easy for such detailed design as human head, and amount of Faces makes work hard with hangings. Or, maybe I can use Meshmixer some direct method way, because all  I've tried with this tool, does actually same ASCII or Binary same way as directly with export from 3dsMax, all files attached and setting show in (Message 12 of 15)

[lodes39]

Also I've tried with this listed ways to Import and use IGES data, but Construction Group Mapping is not available in my  Dialog Box Options, apparently by same reason you mentioned. Sketch -> Insert panel -> ACAD for .DWG with checking of Constrain End Points and Apply Geometric Constrains in result does nothing with mesh of 3dsMax model, empty screen