Inventor part -> 3ds max?

[DanL]

I'm just fooling around with both programs.... getting pumped for the new season, ya know?

Anyways, I was wondering how you'd go about importing an inventor part into 3ds max. I found some conversion programs, but I don't really have half a grand to spend on a program that will cure my boredom.

I was wondering if anyone has a way/plugin to get inventor files into 3dsmax that doesn't involve me sinking $500.

[Sachiel7]

I beleive that the AutoCAD package includes an "Export to 3DS" function. I know it does under MD2002, not sure about inventor, but I'd be very suprised if it didn't. Look under the file menu for an export command. Or when you save your parts, see if you can save them as other filetypes. I don't currently have a PC around that can run inventor yet... We're working on getting the team a laptop (finally!) so I can tinker with it then.

[Suneet]

Well, you can save in Inventor as .IGES and import that in 3ds, but there is a FREE plug-in for 3ds that lets it directly import .ipt and .iam! You might try the discreet and autodesk websites and Google to find this. I don't have access at this time to the computer that would have a local copy of the installer.

Sadly, Inventor can't save to .3ds.

[DanL]

Originally Posted by Suneet

Well, you can save in Inventor as .IGES and import that in 3ds, but there is a FREE plug-in for 3ds that lets it directly import .ipt and .iam! You might try the discreet and autodesk websites and Google to find this. I don't have access at this time to the computer that would have a local copy of the installer.

Sadly, Inventor can't save to .3ds.

Doh... didn't think to check on the site of the guys who actually made both programs

For whoever searches this thread up in the future, here's the [ link ] to the page that tells you how to import your inventor files into max.

[Steve782]

The way I've done it (using 3ds max 5-dont know if its been updated in the new version) is saving the inventor part as an .stl file (I think). In 3ds max, go to file-> import, changing file type at the bottom to .stl files. You can get inventor files into 3ds max that way, but I don't think if you can edit the parts once you import them (I might be wrong-I haven't found a way to edit imported files).

[Clark Gilbert]

Originally Posted by SuperDanman

I'm just fooling around with both programs.... getting pumped for the new season, ya know?

Anyways, I was wondering how you'd go about importing an inventor part into 3ds max. I found some conversion programs, but I don't really have half a grand to spend on a program that will cure my boredom.

I was wondering if anyone has a way/plugin to get inventor files into 3dsmax that doesn't involve me sinking $500.

I believe there is a plugin for Max that allows you to open Inventor files into Max. My friend says you have to go into max, plugins, something about configure paths, then look in a "bin" folder and there is an Inventor plugin.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...nventor+plugin

[DanL]

Originally Posted by Clark Gilbert

I believe there is a plugin for Max that allows you to open Inventor files into Max. My friend says you have to go into max, plugins, something about configure paths, then look in a "bin" folder and there is an Inventor plugin.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...nventor+plugin

Two posts up I already found the answer to this problem and posted the link to the Discreet website that has the full description.

This thread is done... can an admin lock it?

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by SuperDanman

Two posts up I already found the answer to this problem and posted the link to the Discreet website that has the full description.

This thread is done... can an admin lock it?

Actually, for a lot of us there's not even an option of file type when converting Inventor to Max files, so the link that Clark posted helped me last season. It's really easy to do, and it gives you the option to export from inventor and into max, but last year I have some problems with all the parts being converted. For some reason, only some of our robot would go into Max.

The thread that T. Hoffman made about that should be a sticky in my opinion, because it's probably the most useful thread for animation/inventor that I've read.