Import STEP files as Assembly

[CCarreiras]

Hi!

Nowadays, when importing a Step file, based in an assembly created in other cad package, we have only the chance to import it like a multisolid part.

Most users receive Step Files and the current workflow to open Step files in inventor is very weak.

To really improve interopabilyty it’s better to add several options as:

Import Step Files workflow.

1-Bring it back the availability to import step files as an assembly

2-Rename the solid bodies based in the browser multibodies features (which are the actually the parts when importing a step)

For any workflow

3-In the workspace project folder: have the availability to manually change file’s File Names without loosing assembly links (and drawings, etc)

4-Tool to change File Names based in the Part number, without loosing assembly links (and drawings, etc)

Make a pause in ANYCAD development and really improve interoperability for most users.

Of course you can turn a multisolid part into an assembly easily, using tool Make Components, but the issue is:

the multibody part will maintain the name of the original assembly parts in the browser tree… but in the Solid Bodie’s folder, inventor will name the solid bodies as Solid1, Solid2…etc, therefore, when you use Make Componentsto turn a multisolid in an assembly, you will loose the original names of the parts with this workflow, you will have a nice assembly with parts called Solid1, Solid2, etc.

This is a awful interoperability issue. Imagine to rename undreds of parts, rename parts, and resolve links due that…. Multiply that for undreds of parts…

Why the need of so much work when this info come with step file.

I strongly believe that, for most users, those options have at least the same importance as the AnyCad workflow, In my case have a lot more, since I received Step Files daily and I don’t want to loose track of the original parts name

[Anonymous]

I want the OPTION button available again, as in Inventor 2015, when opening a step-file. Now I have to do a workaround with a lot of clicks. Irritating.

Peter G

[DRoam]

As I understand it, the options which used to display after clicking that button now display in the "Import" dialog box after clicking "Open", which actually saves you a click. Is this not correct?

[Anonymous]

No, I don't Think so. The option button is grey there also.

Peter G

[DRoam]

I don't mean after you click the Open icon, I mean after you actually select a file and open it. After you open a file you get the "Import" dialog box which has, I believe, all of the relevant import options.

[Anonymous]

What I'm missing is the possibility to choose a top-level folder. I used it all the time since I deal with very large step-files. Many parts.

Peter G

[DRoam]

Hmmm... I believe that is an option you're given after you open a STEP file (but before it's actually imported). Take a look at the Screencast below. Notice at the end that all of the files (including the top-level Assembly) will be saved in the folder I selected. Does this accomplish what you're describing?

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is how I have to work from nowon (Inventor 2017) and move the top asm file to the right folder afterwards.

But why is there an option button when you can't use it?

I want to have one folder for the top asm and another folder for the rest of the files. As I could in Inventor 2015 and older versions.

It's not very nice to remove functions from the program that users have been accustomed to for many years. 

Peter G.

[S.Janowicz]

Let me help Peter in describing the matter by showing this comparing picture of the  two import options dialogues in 2015 and 2017

The 2015 dialog had two really important features, here marked in red. First, the ability to place the top assembly in a separate folder. Second, the choice of importing the STEP as an assembly or to have it merged down to a single IPT (with multiple solid bodies if wanted).

Yes, you can do these steps manually afterwards but it takes effort and time and time is money.

Please include these options again Autodesk.

[DRoam]

Ahh, I see what you're missing now. And it looks like there are several other useful options that were removed as well, including the options for whether or not to save during load, to save the translation report to the document or disk, and to import into the repair environment. As well as some post-processing options that look like they could be useful. That's really unfortunate, I wonder why these were removed.

Also, it looks like the Assembly import method is SUPPOSED to be an option, but for some reason it's grayed out. According to the Help file (here), the "Assembly Options --> Structure" option should allow you to choose between "Assembly, Multi-body Part, and Composite Part". But it's always grayed out, even if importing an Assembly.

After seeing this, I agree, the Import dialog could definitely use some improvements... or rather some re-improvements.

[DRoam]

FYI, there's a related suggestion for a "Prompt for save location on save" option in the "Import Options" dialog box, so you can opt to specify the save location upon actually hitting Save for the first time rather than during the Import.

You can vote of that Idea as well here: Add "Prompt for Save Location" option for importing CAD files (currently 12 votes).

[liang_chen]

Hi,

There are three workflows to import STEP file into Inventor. Based on my testing result, they are: 

1. Open STEP file in Inventor -- Inventor should respect the step file type. Open STEP Assembly as Inventor assembly and Part as Inventor part
2. Import STEP file into Inventor part file -- The STEP file will be imported as multiple bodies. The result is similar as deriving Inventor assembly into part that the components will be derived as multiple bodies. 
3. Place STEP file into Inventor assembly file -- The STEP file can be placed as assembly or part by options setting 

If you are talking about the workflow1, it should be a defect. Can you please send a sample file to me by email ? My mail address is liang.chen@autodesk.com. I want to take a further investigation on this issue. There could be an option to export the assembly file as assembly or part when export files as STEP in other cad package. 

Currently, the component name of STEP assembly will be imported as feature name in browser rather than body name. Importing the component name as body name should be a good suggestion to keep the consistence with original file for 'make components' function. I will forward it to our development team.

Thanks for your feedback.

Fred

[Anonymous]

I'm with you on this one. Why remove something when its been in inventor for many releases. We are dealing with step files with may subassemblies and it is a pain not to be able to open them as a single .ipt as we used to.

[mschindler-mum]

Hi @liang_chen,

I know only about this article, since Inventor 2016 that Autodesk have changed it, but so far as I know, through the API it should be possible to do the "old" import workflow.

Today I had a call with one of our customer they have Inventor 2018 now, and he was very wondering why Autodesk have changed it.

I hope the old very good function is coming bag in the future with an update or new version.

If anyone have a bette. idea, or a codesnippet to share with me and others, I would be very happy, and my customer too!

Many thanks,

Regards,

Matthias

[liang_chen]

Hi Matthias,

It was a design change from Inventor 2016, which make the workflows/options different from before. Please post your ideas in Inventor-Ideas, if you want the old functions back. Users with similar requirement can add votes for ideas. 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/idb-p/v1232/tab/most-recent

Thanks

Fred

[thendricks321]

I just want to say this does need fixed especially #1. We have to keep an older version of inventor on a computer just so we can import step files as an assembly. Every version of inventor since then haven't had the ability to open a step file as an assembly.

Import Step Files workflow.

1-Bring it back the availability to import step files as an assembly

2-Rename the solid bodies based in the browser multibodies features (which are the actually the parts when importing a step)

[Anonymous]

 I have just downloaded Inventor 2019 trial version to test its step and parasolid translators with a view to upgrade. Translators work fine but the missing option of import step files as an assembly , is now making me look at other cad options. 😞

[CCarreiras]

@Anonymous and @thendricks321

When you bring step files and the only option is to turn it into a multisolid parts, is easy to turn it into an assembly,  just go to manage tab and use "make components" tool. The question is the renaming of parts. When you turn a multisolid into an assembly, parts will be renamed as Solid1, solid2 solid3 ... and so on, so you have to rename all the files again, and you will have to link properlly those files in the assembly, since the file name is change, the link is broken (not in solidworks... wake up Autodesk).

Keep in mind that some step files are able to open as an assembly directly, and this depends on the age of the file and the options they were created.

[dan_szymanski]

Idea for solid body rename exists in backlog for future consideration [24710].

Idea for option to import (single part) multi-body step file as an Assembly exists in backlog for future consideration [42803]. Thanks!

[MarisaZERE]

I'm glad this had been added to the future consideration list but besides critical bug fixes a problem like this should be at the top of the list.

[damian.lewczyk]

Please restore option: Import Multiple Solid Parts as Assembly.

This option was altered few years ago. It was done as part of consolidating Import Options.

Thanks this option, customer can much more quicker assembly from STEP than using Make Component Tool.