Preset Import Settings for File Types in Showcase 2013

In previous releases of Showcase you had one Import dialogue which appeared during Import, giving a short list of quality settings. After which you would then have to change the Environment, the Up Axis, Create your Shots to your liking.

In Showcase 2013 you can now preset your Import Settings for particular file types, i.e. .STP, .IAM, .IGES. Allowing you to not only choose the Import quality, but also the initial Environment, preset Shots, Up Axis amongst others.

To modify your presets see below:

• Open Showcase and go to the File menu > Settings > Import Settings

• You will then be presented with the Import Settings dialogue where you can start to tweak the default Import Settings for particular file types to your liking.

LABS - Feature Recognition for Inventor 2013

Use this application to convert neutral 3D CAD (STEP, SAT, or IGES solids) models into fully featured Autodesk Inventor models.

Feature mapping can be executed automatically or interactively as needed to maintain design intent.

You can find the download on Autodesk Labs at:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

Import and Export Vault Configurations

Once you have your Vault configured, you can log into the Vault server console and save your configuration. The configuration can be used when configuring a new Vault. The following steps can be used to export your configuration.

Export a Configuration

• On the Start Menu, select All Programs > Autodesk > Autodesk Data Management > Autodesk Data Management Server Console.
• On the left side of the Server Console select the Vault you want to export the configuration from.
• From the Action pull down menu select Export Configuration.
• Select a location and filename for the configuration file and select Save.
  
  

Import a Configuration

• From the Start Menu, select All Programs > Autodesk > Autodesk Data Management > Autodesk Data Management Server Console.
• On the left side of the Server Console select the Vault you want to apply the existing configuration.
• From the Action pull down menu select Import Configuration.
• Select the configuration file and select Open.
  
  

Note: after an Import Configuration, run a -Ob2bmigrate to ensure that the changes are fully implemented.

How to Correct Inventor Models Importing Side Ways in Showcase

When importing Inventor data into Showcase you may have found that it appears on its side. There are ways of rotating the geometry to the correct orientation, however there is an easier way.

• Import your Inventor model as normal into Showcase, using default Inventor templates, it will generally appear on its side.

LABS - PointLinker for Inventor

Inventor can import point data from an Excel file, but once the data has been imported, the link with the Excel file is not retained. If the user then updates the point data in the Excel file, the data must be manually re-imported and the associated model re-constructed. This is a time consuming and isnefficient exercise. The Point Linker for Inventor tool allows Inventor users to import points from an Excel file, and retain a link to that file. Users can import data (as with the existing command), update with new data, or resolve to another Excel file.

This tool is available for Inventor 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

You can try the PointLinker for yourself at:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/ADN_plugins/catalog/

Import and Export Formats in Inventor 2011

A question that comes up often on support is what formats we can open into Inventor and those formats we can save to. Therefore we have put together some information in reference to this below for all to see:

Format	Import	Export
AutoCAD 2D/3D (*.dwg, *.dxf)	R12-2011	R12-2011
Alias (*.wire)	all versions	-
CATIA V4 (*.CATPart, *.CATProduct, *.model)	all versions	-
CATIA V5 (*.CATPart, *.CATProduct)	R6-R18	R10-R18
IGES (*.igs)	all versions	5.3
JT Precise (*.jt)	7.0, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3. 9.4	7.0, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4
NX (*.prt)	3-6 (7 in SAP)	-
Parasolid (*.x_b, *.x_t)	up to ver 22.0	9.0-22.0
Pro/ENGINEER (*.prt, *.asm)	up to ver 5.0	-
Pro/ENGINEER Granite (*.g)	up to ver 6.0	1.0-6.0
Pro/ENGINEER Neutral (*.neu)	all	all
SAT (*.sat)	4.0-7.0	4.0-7.0
SolidWorks (*.prt, *.sldprt, *.asm, *.sldasm)	2003-2010	-
Rhino (*.3dm)	(in SAP)	-
STEP (*.stp, *.ste)	AP214, AP203E2	AP214, AP203E2
STL (*.stl)	-	all
XGL/ZGL (*.xgl/*.zgl)	-	all

Import Wire Types

If you require extra Wire Types from an existing drawing in the drawing you are currently working on, then there might be an easier way of creating these.

• Select Create/Edit Wire Types on the Schematic TAB, this will show the Wire Types that you currently have available in the open drawing. Click the Import button.

Import & Export Parameters using XML

You can export the Parameter data to an XML file to take a snapshot of the Parameters and their values. This capability is useful if you want to transfer Parameters in one model to another.
During the Export, you choose whether to include All Parameters or just the Key Parameters, see below to learn how this is done:

• Open the Model that contains the Parameters.
• On the Ribbon, go to the Manage TAB > Parameters Panel > Export to XML.