.stp files or IGES files Question

[tc3dcad60731]

Hey ya'll,

I have a client that I did some 3d models for (and doing others right now) that were completed in ACAD. I have a legal copy of Inventor 5 but it will not open 3d ACAD files nor write out a stp file.

Will the newer version open a 3d model created in ACAD?
Will there be any loss in model integrity?
Will I be able to write out a step file or IGES file with the new version?

Thanks in advance!

[Bunny]

I was able to import an ACAD 3d model into Inventor. However, the result was a dead object.. completely un-editable. The best way is to import a 2d drawing and rebuild the part in Inventor, thereby retaining all its intelligence.

Others may have had better luck...

[jonathan.landeros]

I was able to import an ACAD 3d model into Inventor. However, the result was a dead object.. completely un-editable. The best way is to import a 2d drawing and rebuild the part in Inventor, thereby retaining all its intelligence.

Others may have had better luck...

Newer versions of Inventor have an 'import as solid' or something to that effect when you import a dwg. I'm not sure if R5 has that option. If you use ACISOUT in ACAD, you can open the resulting *.sat file in Inventor. This should hold true in R5.

The part will come into autocad as a 'dumb' solid, which means it has about the same amount of intelligence it had in ACAD. But you can add or remove material using standard Inventor tools. It depends on how much modification you want to do. If you need to make a lot of changes, it may be better to rebuild the part. If there are little or no changes to be made, you can leave it as the aforementioned 'dumb' solid.

I think R5 can write out steps by using the 'Save Copy As' option and choosing step as the target file. I believe IGES was in the same location as well, but it's been a long time since I used R5.

[tc3dcad60731]

Well I am almost done creating most of the parts in ACAD2006. I can go back and re-create in V5 with Inventor. Will I be able to open them in a newer version and save out as stp file if I am not able to achieve the same with V5???

[tc3dcad60731]

just tried your suggestion on acisout and it worked in acad writing it out. IT DID NOT WORK trying to get it into Inventor 5. Said sat file was from later version of ACAD.

[tc3dcad60731]

Created some of the parts in Inventor 5 and did what you said about "saving as" then selecting the .stp file extension and it worked!

Thanks for ya'lls help!

[jonathan.landeros]

Created some of the parts in Inventor 5 and did what you said about "saving as" then selecting the .stp file extension and it worked!

Thanks for ya'lls help!

I know if you type out ACISOUTVER and change the number you can get ACAD to export out an older version ACIS file. The default is 70 (for 7.0). If you type in a lower number, you can get an older version.

I'm not sure what version Inventor R5 uses though.

[cwentworth]

Not sure why you want to go to step. Stl or vrml are the best formats for 3d printing. The best way i've found is ACAD to vrml. You can get a vrml pluggin for ACAD at www.xanadu.cz. Or just send the DWG to the model shop if they know anything they should be able to take it from there. Hope that helps.

Chris
3DRP