.stp to inventor files
 

With the new VexPro items out, now might be a good time to learn how to convert a STEP to whatever file I would need in to read it in Inventor.

Would anybody please enlighten me? I know that there are downloadable converters, but doesn't inventor have a converter built in? If so, this is what I would prefer to use.

I am going to need this for 2013, as my team is making the upgrade over winter break.

Thanks!

Re: .stp to inventor files
 

Inventor will convert the files by itself. When you open the files, change the file type to "any files" and just open it. Then save the file, and it's now in Inventor (ipt or iam) format.

Re: .stp to inventor files
 

A couple of small things to be aware of when you do this import:

(1) The STEP conversion will convert all files of the folder to inventor format. So if you have a gearbox STEP file, you get the ipt files for all parts in the file. Usually it's in a sub-folder labeled "Imported Components" or something.

(2) The STEP conversion doesn't appear to keep constraints (or at least, not that I know of). So once you load in a part, either constrain all of the parts, or just save the file and don't touch anything.

- Sunny G.

Re: .stp to inventor files
 

STEP files don't have materials selected, either, so you have to go in and tell each part that it's made of aluminum or steel or whatever if you want to use it for weight and CoG later on.

Last summer I went through a process of creating all of my own AndyMark gearbox assemblies with the constraints the way I liked them, colors adjusted, materials entered, etc. I imagine that I'll be doing something similar over winter break with the Vex Pro stuff. It's nice to have an organized library of COTS parts.

Re: .stp to inventor files
 

Thanks for the help... I know what I am doing tonight! :D

Re: .stp to inventor files
 

1. Unzip the download file. Creates a folder containing the STEP file.
2. Open the STEP file in Inventor (choose "File of type: STEP" in the open dialogue box to locate it) The assembly and parts are contained in a single file.
3. Save.
4. Inventor creates a new folder in the "Imported Components" folder containing the new .iam assembly file and all .ipt part files.
5. Parts are properly located but unconstained in the .iam file. You may wish to ground all parts if you do not resconstrain the entire assembly.
6. Parts have no material selection or iProperties.