Converting Inventor Files To Max

[Ryan Dognaux]

How exactly can you put Inventor 5/6 files into Max 4.2/5??? Is one method transfering them into CAD, and then from CAD to Max?? I think that's how we did it last year, but I'm not sure, and is there an easier way to do it?

[LBK Rules]

Try Deep Exploration.

[rbayer]

Can Inventor import or export IGES files? If I remeber correctly, 3ds max can import that type.

[Clark Gilbert]

I'de use IGES files, but dont save an assembly as an IGES file because i've tried that and it made it one solid.

[Soukup]

Originally posted by Clark Gilbert
I'de use IGES files, but dont save an assembly as an IGES file because i've tried that and it made it one solid.

iges and max do not work together at all so do not export to an iges. An entire solid is extremely had to work with and is a waste of time in the end.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Okay... but is there a plugin or something I need to go straight from Inventor to Max??... or do I have to go from Inventor to CAD to Max?

[AJ Quick]

Doesn't Inventor export to 3DS?

EDIT: Just checked.. and it doesn't. You would think they would have tried to make Inventor quickly compatible like that. Use IGES.

[mzb295]

Inventor has plug-ins for 3ds max that allow a user to directly import .ipt and .iam files. Inventor 5 works with 3ds max 3 and 4. Inventor 6 also works with 3ds max 3 and 4. You must install sp1 for inventor 6 and download the updated plug-ins for 3ds max in order to import files into 3ds max 5. Both of the updates can be found at http://support.autodesk.com/enu/Homepage.asp

On the left side of the page click on Download Updates and Drivers

In the center screen
Product: Autodesk Inventor
Release: 6
Category: Updates and Maintenance
Click on GO

you need
Autodesk Inventor® 6 Service Pack 1 (All versions)
and
Updated Autodesk® VIZ and 3ds max™ Plug-in for Autodesk Inventor® files

Follow the instructions found in the readme files.

Max imports the files as a perfect editable mesh. Assemblies import as individual editable meshes.

I hope this helps,

Dennis

[Soukup]

didn' that one guy last year at nationals show an easier way?

[Tyler Olds]

This came up last year, I will look through te archives for it

Tyler

[AJ Quick]

I hope there are easier better ways! I just sent a IGES from Inventor to Max, and max could hardly move is was going so slow.

[Ryan Dognaux]

One would think Autodesk would have resolved this problem by now by putting addition plugins/software in with the software they send us since they know we're going to be using Max to animate it. It almost seems like common sense.

[LBK Rules]

MD can export to 3ds.