Inventor crashes when I open large STEP assembly file

[mechcad8]

Can anybody help?
Is thier a size limit to a STEP file that Inventor can open?
I have no problems with simple fasteners in STEP format.

I have a large STEP assembly file (48MB) which seems to crash my computer when I try and open it. It was generated in the US using ProE.

When it firsts opens a list of numbers run in the bottom left of the screen. After approx 3 minutes the numbers stop.

Looking in task manager:
Processor is running at 50% on inventor.exe with a message Inventor - Not Responding. As activity exists from the task manager I have left the computer running for 90minutes. - No changes.

My computer is a Dell Latitude D820 running a Intel(R) core(TM) 2 CPU 1.99Ghz processor with 2.00GB of RAM.

Can anybody advise what I can do?

[JDMather]

>Can anybody advise what I can do?
Can you post the file?

[mechcad8]

I am unable to post the file due to confidentiality reasons.

Thanks for the offer.

[JDMather]

When you try to open the file click on Options and try experimenting with the settings. I can't remember exactly what the various options are avialable for STEP but try turning anything off that sounds like it might slow things down - like Advanced Error Checking.

[denphi03]

I work at a company that deals with large assemblies only. Even though the step file may not be particularly large, for some reason the open process in Inventor can be a huge task.

2GB RAM is part of your problem. I am no computer tech- but I have personally found that 4GB RAM while using the 3GB switch (it's a windows thing) works significantly better. 3gb switch here: http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?messageID=669522

Also, others in my company have noticed HUGE differences when changing a 256mb Geforce video card to a 512mb QUADRO video card. The "quadro" signifies that the card is more suited for CAD, but for best results I would suggest going to Autodesk's list of preferred cards. suggested cards here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/hc?siteID=123112&id=6711853&linkID=9240618

BUT, for now all you can do is simply : wait.

Let the file open overnight. It might take a ridiculously long time to open, but as long as your task manager "commit charge total" and "physical memory total" (see attached) keep climbing --- it will open. Even if you click on Inventor and it says "not responding". You just have to leave it alone and wait. Sometimes a real long, long long time.........

....hope that helps

[R.Corriveau]

Turn off Auto stitch and promote in options.

[Anonymous]

wrote in message news:5571963@discussion.autodesk.com...
Can anybody help?
Is thier a size limit to a STEP file that Inventor can open?
I have no problems with simple fasteners in STEP format.

I have a large STEP assembly file (48MB) which seems to crash my computer
when I try and open it. It was generated in the US using ProE.

When it firsts opens a list of numbers run in the bottom left of the screen.
After approx 3 minutes the numbers stop.

Looking in task manager:
Processor is running at 50% on inventor.exe with a message Inventor - Not
Responding. As activity exists from the task manager I have left the
computer running for 90minutes. - No changes.

My computer is a Dell Latitude D820 running a Intel(R) core(TM) 2 CPU
1.99Ghz processor with 2.00GB of RAM.

Can anybody advise what I can do?

___________________

Something to try: In the options dialog, check the "Save Parts During Load"
button. As Inventor processes the assembly file it will create part files
out of the individual entities in the step file. With this option checked
it commits them to disk as it goes instead of trying to keep everything in
memory. This has made the difference for me in being able to import large
step and iges files. I was able to import a 285 MB iges file this way a few
weeks ago.

Cheers,
Walt

[Anonymous]

All great suggestions!

However, this sounds like a valid issue in the data itself, as I've opened
much larger STEP files than 48Mb (130+ Mb files are part of our regular
performance testing suite).

I am willing to sign an NDA and keep the data very confidential (deleting
the data after it has been processed as well if need be). - Please contact
me offline and we can work out file transfer arrangements if you so desire:
peter.varga@autodesk.com

Cheers,
-Peter

[mechcad8]

Thanks for your comments:

I took the computer home last night and just left it running.

After 4 - 5 hours the file successfully opened and it is now saved as an inventor assembly file, which now only takes a few minutes to open up.

[mechcad8]

Many thanks for your offer - although I think I am now sorted.

I took the computer home last night and just left it running.

After 4 - 5 hours the file successfully opened and it is now saved as an inventor assembly file, which now only takes a few minutes to open up.

[Anonymous]

4-5 hours? ... That seems like an overly long time for a medium STEP file
size.

Does it contain numerous "curvy" type surfaces (a lot of splines might
account for the processing time)... or a large assembly of sorts?

Cheers,
-Peter

[fllaserjim]

I have step files that do the same. When this happens I open in mechanicl save as dwg and import that much much faster. One file 3 hours as step 15 mins as dwg.

[mechcad8]

It was an assembly containing approx 860 parts.