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in a separate file. The stress analysis file has the same name as your part file,
but uses the extension .ipa. By default, the .ipa file is stored in the same folder
as the .ipt file.
The _structure.rst (for stress analysis) and the _modal.rst (for modal analysis)
files, used to export to ANSYS, are generated after you save. If you select both,
the _strucure.esave and _structure.db files, used to export to ANSYS, are also
generated and stored in a subfolder like the .ipt file.
Understanding File Relationships
Activating the stress analysis environment, and then saving the .ipt file does
not create the analysis files. Add at least one stress analysis update before
Autodesk Inventor Simulation creates the .ipa file.
The analysis files contain information that indicates which .ipt file is associated
with the .ipa file. Multiple .ipt files cannot reference the same .ipa file, and
multiple .ipa files cannot reference the same .ipt file.
The Save Copy As command does not generate a new .ipa file. This means
that the new .ipt file references the same .ipa file as the old .ipt file.
On the Stress Analysis Setting dialog box, use the Create OLE Link to Result
Files option to keep the relationship between the analysis files except for the
.ipa and .ipt files. If the option is checked, the files are necessary to open the
.ipt file.
For more information about the Save Copy As command, see Copying
Geometry Files on page 41 in this chapter.
NOTE An existing .ipa file is not loaded until you activate the stress analysis
environment.
Repairing Disassociated Files
Under certain circumstances, edit the part file without the presence of the .ipa
file. For example, you sent the .ipt file but not the .ipa file to a consultant.
You can edit the part file through the Skip option on the Resolve Link dialog
box.
If you edit the part while the .ipa file is missing, and then try to reassociate
the part with its analysis file, Inventor makes an attempt to update the stress
40 | Chapter 6 Manage Stress Analysis Files