Update step files from original?

[Winks87]

It appears you can update a step file when you modify the original file it was created from.  I selected the assembly option with the link when creating a step file.  I modified the original file, but the step file does not appear to be updating.  Has anyone figured this out?  I am using Inventor 2017 with Vault.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I assume you are talking about STEP AnyCAD workflow. You will need to set Import Type to Reference Model. Also, it depends on what kind of change you made in the step file and how it was exported from the other CAD system. Do you have an example showing the non-updating behavior? Please post it here or send it to me directly (johnson.shiue@autodesk.com). I would like to understand the behavior better.

Many thanks!

[SBix26]

I think you're misunderstanding the AnyCAD Reference function-- AnyCAD allows the STEP file to update the Inventor model, not the other way around.

You can reference a STEP file in an Inventor model, and when the STEP file is replaced with a newer version, the changes appear in the Inventor model.  If I'm reading correctly, you want changes in your Inventor model to update the STEP file created from it, which, as far as I can tell, is not possible; you simply have to re-export the model each time it is modified.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2017.4
Vault Workgroup 2017.0.3
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1
Inventor Certified Professional

[Winks87]

This was a large Inventor file we created a step file of to improve performance.  There is no link between the step file and the original inventor file?

[SBix26 · Accepted solution]

As far as I know, there is no link between an Inventor file and any exports created from it.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2017.4
Vault Workgroup 2017.0.3
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1
Inventor Certified Professional

[Winks87]

Ok, thank you for the info.