Importing Step/Iges Files

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I would like to import 3D Step or Iges models. The assembly files would be engineering assemblies with all parts exploded when viewed.

Is it possible to receive a 3D model assembly and still be able to explode its parts once in Inventor or does the file loose this capability if it has been created in an another design product?

What are the steps needed to attain these features between different design software?

Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

Niall

[TheCADWhisperer]

Open File.

Save.

Start new IPN.

Create Exploded view.

(You might want to add Assembly Constraints before doing the exploded assembly.)

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

I would like to import 3D Step or Iges models. The assembly files would be engineering assemblies with all parts exploded when viewed.

Is it possible to receive a 3D model assembly and still be able to explode its parts once in Inventor or does the file loose this capability if it has been created in an another design product?

What are the steps needed to attain these features between different design software?

Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

Niall

---

yes its certainly possible.. You just need to make sure your step file contains multiple solid bodies representing each part (this can be a function that the person saving the file may need to do properly) and then you may need to use the "make components" function in Inventor to push out the individual solid bodies into their own part files in a new assembly..

Then you can use the presentation environment to create the exploded views..

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, just curious to know now,

I am working in the Naval Ship design industry and currently our main engine contract supplier is Wartsila.

So, if I am asking for example the  'Main Generator' assembly file which will have several hundred parts, what should I specifically ask for to be included in the files to be imported. If they use say again for example 'Solid Works' and were able to save a file in an Step/Iges format.

Niall

[TheCADWhisperer]

STEP

or

Parasolid

or

native SolidWorks if their release of SolidWorks is at least one release behind Inventor.

If they give you the SolidWorks files they must, of course, include the part files *.sldprt with the assembly files *.sldasm.

Just like in Inventor.

[Anonymous]

So, once you have established the users design software product can provide a compatible save file format with Inventor you then have to make sure they include all the part files of the assembly in a '*.solid part type' with the assembly files '*.solid assembly type'

Just like within Inventor.

Niall

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So, once you have established the users design software product can provide a compatible save file format with Inventor you then have to make sure they include all the part files of the assembly in a '*.solid part type' with the assembly files '*.solid assembly type'

Just like within Inventor.

Niall

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Yes if being provided with Solidworks files then yes you need the part and assembly files.. Just like Inventor..

[TheCADWhisperer]

If they save at the top level assembly as STEP or Parasolid - then all parts are in one file - just like Inventor.

If they give you native files - they need to give you all native files - just like Inventor.

[Anonymous]

"You might want to add Assembly Constraints before doing the exploded assembly".

Is this a requirement as mentioned in another reply or should it already be included by the sender if he sends all the parts of the assembly in a solid part type format.

Niall

[TheCADWhisperer]

No assembly constraints or sketches or part feature history is retained when going from one CAD program to another.

[Anonymous]

Okay, thanking you all for your replies with this advice as it was an education. I will proceed with my request at work for an external assembly file import and see if I am able to view and explode its parts in Inventor.

I will also let you and the forum know how I get on with my experience of same.

Regards

Niall

[mcgyvr]

You will not need constraints if you are just creating an exploded assembly in presentation.. 

You can just ground all parts after import..