STEP files, better options?

[Anonymous]

We have some very large assemblies, ones that can and do bring Inventor to its knees.

Add to that, some have numerous STEP files and these STEP files seem to be a major headache to deal with. Most are the root cause of crashing or activation times, etc. We were able to verify this recently with an assembly a user was having issues with, he had a mere 3 STEP files in the assembly and ran into numerous issues, mainly activation/saving times and crashes.

I found we had Factory Assets for 2 of the STEP files and replaced those, ever since, the assembly has been working much better, he's able to open and save it without waiting hours on end, the crashing has stopped, etc.

So I tested this on  a few other random assemblies and sure enough they all seemed to do far better without the STEP files in them, whether I replaced them with an Asset or a native Inventor file.

So I'm wondering, is there a better option to using STEP files? I haven't been able to verify if using Anycad to bring in the native files as opposed to the STEP files from our vendors, but I'm looking into such.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

I know in the past users have had issue with STEP files due to the detailed information that came with them.   I mean it brought the overall assembly and drawings to its knees.   But if the STEP files are normal and etc, having multiple ones in an assembly I haven't see where that was a problem.  

In the end I guess I would ask..   When you say STEP files in a model, do you mean they are STEP files converted to Inventor files or as you referenced they are referenced in using ANYCAD?

[Anonymous]

@Mark.Lancaster  My understanding of these, they are STEP (solid, not surface) files sent from the vendor and placed into the Inventor assembly. Honestly, I haven't taken a look at the quality of the STEP files in question, I just saw what they were of and knew we had them in our library as factory assets.

I was thinking bout the best thing we can do with these is run them thru the Inventor Task Scheduler's Migration process and clean/compact/rebuild them prior to placing them in an assembly.

No one here knows about Anycad as far as I am aware other than the guys in my Support group. I'd like to get them to start using Anycad if and when it's needed. Just wondering if using Anycad and bringing in the native file from SWx or Catia, Creo, etc. is a better option than using these STEP files.

[Jon.Dean]

Hi @Anonymous,

It is always better to use the source files and not the STEP equivalent.

Each translation; Source to STEP to Inventor; takes two translations, you can lose detail.

Even better if you don't convert, just reference them in your assembly.

If the customer reports that the Source file has been updated, then Inventor will reference the latest version. 

You just have to place it in your workspace replacing the old one.

Do some testing, I'm sure it will work fine.

Cheers.

Jon.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Jim,

I took a look at the recent CERs from your company. It could be graphics related. Please make sure graphics drivers are up-to-date. Regarding an alternative neutral format to use, a popular choice in automotive industry is JT. The file is relatively compact and it has assembly structure too. Most of professional CAD systems can export and import JT.

If you have a STEP file consistently crashes Inventor, please share it with me directly ([email protected]). I would like to understand the behavior better.

Another point to make, please make sure you don't over-clock CPU. Inventor is partially mutli-threaded. STEP import and graphics process are threaded. Over-clocking can lead to unstable behaviors.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

@johnsonshiue thanks for the info. As far as I know there's no specific STEP file causing the issues, but if I come across one I will pass it on to you.

Also, we do not over-clock any of our CAD Stations.

[NigelHay]

We also have some trouble with STEPs, if you save an assembly from a STEP file, especially if it contains PCBs, it will save possibly hundreds of parts. What I now do is to start a new part, finish the initial sketch then import the STEP file & save. This creates an Inventor .ipt which, so far, I have had no trouble with. The only downside is that it will not update like a referenced STEP file.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Nigel,

Are you having crashes on exporting STEP? If yes, did you submit crash reports? Please send me an email ([email protected]) directly so I can take a look at the reports and understand the crashes better.

Many thanks!

[NigelHay]

No, no problem exporting, it was just that having imported some STEPs into assemblies, at some later date some assemblies would error. This could then be tracked down to an imported STEP having lost it's connection to one or more of it's sub parts.