Inventor (Windows only)

You can import Autodesk Inventor^® files directly into Alias.

You can also read Alias wire files directly into Inventor.

File formats that you can use to export Alias models to Inventor are DWG, IGES, STEP, as well as PTC Granite and NX .

Importing Inventor files into Alias

Autodesk DirectConnect lets you import Autodesk Inventor part (*.ipt) and assembly files (*.iam) files into Alias.

DirectConnect support these formats for both Windows 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

To import Autodesk Inventor files

Select File > Open or File > Import > File.
Browse to and select an Autodesk Inventor part or assembly file (*.ipt or *.iam).
Click OK.
The translator automatically launches and imports the file.

Note
To maintain the original positioning and orientation of part files in your scene, import the assembly file first. Importing part files before the assembly file positions all of them at the origin (0,0,0) and removes the original positioning.

Types of data imported

NURBS are imported for this file format. The following additional information is maintained on import:

BREP Bodies
Data organization
Tolerances and units
Material colors and simple transparencey

Where to find imported data

Data Organization
Parts and assembly information is displayed in the Windows > Information > Layer Categories window.
Tolerances and Units
Unit settings are visible from Preferences > Construction Options.
Colors (Shaders)
Colors are visible from the Render > Multi-lister > Shaders window.

Limitations

WorkSurfaces, Display Meshes and 2D/3D Sketches are automatically excluded when an Autodesk Inventor^® file is imported.
Some cylindrical surfaces (pipes) may not be trimmed properly.

Exporting files to Inventor

Save models in DWG, IGES, or STEP file formats to transfer Alias models to Inventor.

Model preparation

Units

When working in Alias set the Units to be the same (mm or inches) as what is used in the Inventor model.

Geometry/Topology

When using Alias, two types of model information can be sent to and read by Inventor: geometry information and topology information.

The Alias-created IGES file includes only the description of the geometry information. The Alias-created STEP and DWG file supports both the geometry information and the topology information.

The geometric data describes the basic shape of the object and in both Alias and Inventor, geometric data is represented using NURBS.

Topological data describes how the geometric components are connected together to form a solid. The Alias STEP file format has advantages over IGES when transferring Alias models to Inventor because there is more information describing the model that is being transferred. THe preferred method is DWG.

Tolerances

Set Preferences > Construction Options - Construction Presets to Inventor.

Information specific to DWG

Tip

DWG Export heals the model and makes it ready for use in Inventor.

Information specific to Granite

Tip

Curve Fit Distance is the key to translation quality. The recommended tolerance in the Preferences > Construction Options - Construction Presets > Tolerances > Fitting section is based on testing done translating models between Alias and Inventor.

Tip

Maximum Gap Distance is the value that is used to check if the adjacent boundaries are built closely enough to each other. They should never be smaller than the Curve Fit Distance.

Get the geometry right

To achieve the tolerance required by solid modeling it's important to manage the modeling units and tolerances when creating your model. Most engineering organizations use the millimeter or inches units as the base linear unit and have developed standards for tolerances that they apply to their CAD systems.

If you are not clear as to which standards your companies or clients use, seek out your CAD system manager. Set up your units and tolerances at the beginning of your modeling session and save them in your usr_options file.

Whether you are creating a model, verifying a model, or debugging a translation, there are some tools within Alias to check the quality of the geometry you have created. The most useful tools are the Deviation tools in the Locators menu. Use these tools to check the maximum distance between any two surface boundaries. The Evaluate > Check Model tool is also very useful and lets you check the model for potential problematic conditions.