Authoring Inventor Content for Plant 3D

If you are you asking the question “how can I use my Inventor data inside of AutoCAD Plant 3D” then look no further. If you have content that already exists inside of Inventor and you would like to use that content inside of Plant 3D then simply read below. Autodesk has taken the steps with this utility to easily export data out of Inventor and import that same data into your plant design.

Using a Pump design from Autodesk Inventor 2011

1

• Ensure the units for the Inventor model match the units of the Plant 3D project
• This can be set in Inventor under Tools > Document Settings

2

• Ensure the orientation of the Inventor model is aligned with the Z-axis pointing up
• TIP:  If the orientation of an existing design isn’t aligned, you can insert the model into a new assembly and apply the necessary constraints in Inventor to orient it properly

3

• Start the AEC Exchange environment in Inventor from Environments > AEC Exchange

4

• Author important connection points for Plant 3D to re-use
• Plant 3D understands Nominal Diameter Size, Connection Type, and Direction
• Ensure Nominal Diameter = standard library size (e.g. 4.0in)
• Ensure the connector direction arrow is pointed away from the model. This gives Plant 3D the required orientation for starting and ending routes. You can still define the flow direction as required in the properties.

5

• OPTIONAL:  You can reduce the “heaviness” of the Inventor model by creating a Shrinkwrap Substitute. This can improve performance in Plant 3D if this component is used frequently.
• Shrinkwrap Substitute can be found in Inventor under the AEC Exchange environment

6

• Select Export Building Components to package up the Inventor model and relevant component item data
• You can assign the component to an OMNI class application type, and include important data like Description, Manufacturer, Model No., Cost, etc.
• Select OK to browse to a location to save the .ADSK file output

7

• After saving the .ADSK result, a summary report is generated letting you review the success of the output. The file is now ready to be used in Plant 3D.