Linking files to an inventor part or assembly without creating a new file

[josh.schindler]

I am looking for a way to attach files to my assemblies in inventor. For example I have an assembly of a machine and I have a separate .dwg file that contains the individual parts that will be burnt out on our plasma table. I also have a .dwg file of the assembly instructions etc. Is there a way to link these files to the assembly so that I can open these files directly from my assembly? I have tried the insert object command, but it creates a new object from an existing - so if I go back and make an edit to the original .dwg file it does not show up in the .dwg that is linked to the assembly.

Thanks

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Josh,

Inventor is a distributed design CAD system. All component geometry is stored in individual ipt files. iam files are like wrappers referencing individual ipt and iam files.

If you want to encapsulate all your design within one document, I suggest you look into Fusion 360. It offers a very flexible paradigm of modeling. You can build an assembly without worrying about individual files. Also, there is a dedicated mesh modeling environment plus simulation environment, CAM environment, and more.

Many thanks!