Importing a 3D model from Inventor to AutoCAD modelspace and keep the associativity

[ali_jahed]

Hi All,

I want to place an Inventor file (iam, ipt or ipn) in to AutoCAD modelspace but keep the associativity between them. So when the Inventor model got updated the AutoCAD gets updated.

Is there a way of doing this?

[pendean]

@ali_jahed You need to be using the AutoCADMECHANICAL variant, not plain AutoCAD, but if you are on subscription you can install and use MECH too

https://help.autodesk.com/view/AMECH_PP/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-1D4EC142-438E-49DF-A72E-27A69D075BC0

In Plain AutoCAD, this tip I believe is all you can do

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-import-Inve...

HTH

[ali_jahed]

Thanks @pendean I have access to AutoCAD Mechanical but the goal is to find a solution for plain AutoCAD.

The problem with Import for plain AutoCAD is there no link between the model and Inventor once imported.

[kacper.suchomski]

---

@ali_jahed wrote:

Thanks @pendean I have access to AutoCAD Mechanical but the goal is to find a solution for plain AutoCAD.

The problem with Import for plain AutoCAD is there no link between the model and Inventor once imported.

---

Yes, because as @pendean mentioned, AutoCAD Mechanical has this functionality, not classic AutoCAD.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi @ali_jahed,

As @pendean already mentioned, Inventor Link establishes an associative link to an Inventor ipt/iam file. When Inventor updates the ipt/iam file, the AutoCAD Mechanical will update the geometry accordingly.

Could you elaborate what you want to do after the geometry is brought into AutoCAD Model Space? I would like to understand the request better.

Many thanks!

[ali_jahed]

Thanks @johnsonshiue 

I am using Inventor to design and we have other "PLAIN AutoCAD" (not Mechanical) users who use AutoCAD for technical documentation.

The problem is if any updates happen on Inventor there is no live link to update the AutoCAD drawings. So, all sort of problems you can imagine can occur.

So far, I found the following methods: 

1. VIEWBASE : Let's be honest it is a half finish feature (hasn't been matured yet) and I found it unreliable 
2. Create my Views in Inventor DWG(not IDW) and ask AutoCAD users to call the View Blocks (as you know they store as blocks) via Design Center - making sure not to explode to keep the link; however, to update them you have to manually "Redefine" the blocks.

If you know any other ways please share

Cheers 

[pendean · Accepted solution]

@ali_jahed What you need is only possible with AutoCADMECHANICAL. Sorry. Autodesk designed it all to only work that way.

Unless you all run legacy old AutoCAD variants, any paying subscriber of AutoCAD can install and use the MECH variant for free to use as well.

Plain AutoCAD requires workarounds, well, only one really, I already posted that in my previous reply.

Best wishes.

[ali_jahed]

Thanks @pendean 

I guess we all got to the conclusion on this.

I hope Autodesk make the VIEWBASE more mature in near future to make that feature usable to its' full extend. 

Cheers