Importing 2021 files to 2024 via stp file

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi All,

   I am using Inventor 2024. However, i have a client who wants to make changes in model which is in 2021 version. He is insisting on me downloading 2021 version. I suggested to send via stp file so i can modify and send back in step file and he can download in 2021. If i download step file, will i be able to download all individual parts as separate file and edit? 

If i modify in 2024 and can they download as amended file with update ? I am just trying to figure out benefits of downloading same version against using step files. I was under impression step file is great tool to work across versions and platforms without need to download versions. 

I have had issues with pack and go in the past and try to avoid it. Can you please clarify the benefits of pack and go (same version) against step files for different versions of Inventor? 

This is message i got from client. 

"Our plan is to send you 3D files to start with, which need to be modified.

Once the client has approved the 3D, then we can start drafting.

Regarding version - the project needs to be completed in Inventor 2021, so yes, please call your supplier and ask how to go backwards.

Ï contacted my reseller and he sent link to download 2021 but he mentioned none of templates will be carried over from 2024 to 2021. I have meeting with client over zoom in a while. Just want to know which is best ? youtube gives me different solutions so better to ask here. 

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Yash

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! Regardless of the design tool of choice, the native file format preserve the data fidelity the best. STEP is a very reliable format, which has been leveraged for more than 30 years. If the receiving end only needs the geometry and the assembly structure, STEP is a very good media to transfer the data.

However, the trouble can arise due to export and import quality. Some fidelity can be lost and some properties may not be transferred. All the feature tree and parameters are gone.

Many thanks!

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi @johnsonshiue,

   Thank you. So its advisable i download 21 version to avoid any conflict in editing files in future. I have worked with step files from catia, solidworks, revit without any dramas. I had a talk to client and they have few more projects coming and they were adamant to have 2021 as other party also working on 2021. 

My next question is, instead of doing pack and go can i use google drive to upload all files and send the link ? I somehow mess up pack and go by selecting wrong options and end up with multiple workspaces on desktop. When you mention trouble with step file, You mean assembly model tree is lost? So each individual part will be body rather than ipt ? I thought when you download/import step file and select "convert to model", tree is maintained. 

Regards,

Yashi

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Yashi,

I think you misunderstood my reply. I was merely commenting if you want to preserve the highest data fidelity. Since you have worked on STEP before. There is no reason you cannot use the workflow in Inventor. Inventor has a very robust STEP translator (import/export).

Regarding storing the files on Google drive or any cloud drive, to simplify the behaviors, I would zip up the Inventor files and upload to the Google drive as a backup storage. Whoever needs the file can download it to their local drive and unzip. Accessing files directly from a cloud drive could lead to unpredictable behavior since Inventor is a desktop application designed to access files from one of the logical drives, not from a cloud drive. The best Inventor cloud drive workflow will be using Desktop Connector accessing files on Fusion Team.

Many thanks!