Mesh converter for Inventor 2013 +

Frustrated with the lack of options for your imported mesh files?  Autodesk has released an app called Mesh Enabler to convert your mesh features to solids, surfaces or composites, opening up productivity options that didn't previously exist.

Having tested this with a simple STL file, I can confirm that it produces surfaces and composites (relatively) easily, but I had some difficulty with solid generation.  This may be an issue with the integrity of the STL mesh itself.  Post-conversion editing tools do work but you will need some patience with your manipulation.

Available free for subscription customers.

Mesh Enabler for Inventor 2013+

"The Mesh Enabler application converts mesh features to solid base features or surface features. This function can be applied to individual or multi-selected mesh features or mesh feature folders.

After installing Mesh Enabler, right click on one or more imported mesh features of interest, and convert them into Base features (solids, surfaces, or composites) through a new context menu command. The graphical mesh data is converted into B-Rep Model data that can be used similar to imported solids and surfaces."

LABS - Inventor 2011 Mesh Enabler

The Inventor 2011 Mesh Enabler is a technology preview that enables Inventor users to work with imported Mesh data. Autodesk Inventor 2011 can import mesh data from Catia V4 and V5 files including CGR. The Mesh Enabler adds the ability to convert selected mesh features to Base features. The resulting base features can then be used for further operations including drawings and measurements.

This preview is available until January 31, 2012 at which time the license expires and the function will be disabled. It is not known if this technology will be incorporated into a commercial product.