Datasheet

LEARNING THE FILE TYPES IN INVENTOR 13
Figure 1.15
Expanded contents in
the Model browser
The payoff of multiple file types is exemplified in the comparison between the way that Auto-
CAD handles model space/paper space and the way that Inventor handles the same tasks. To put
it simply, in Inventor the part and assembly files represent model space, and the drawing file is in
effect paper space. Using multiple file types to handle the separate tasks required for modeling vs.
detailing simplifies the interaction between both tasks, and as a result, the headaches of managing
model space and paper space in AutoCAD are eliminated in Inventor.
Here are the primary file formats commonly used in Inventor:
◆ .ipj: Inventor project file
◆ .ipt: Inventor single part file
◆ .iam: Inventor assembly file
◆ .ipn: Inventor presentation file
◆ .idw: Inventor 2D detail drawing file
◆ .dwg (Inventor): Inventor 2D detail drawing file
◆ .dwg (AutoCAD): AutoCAD nonassociative drawing file
◆ .xls: Excel files that drive iParts, threads, and other data
Although this list may seem intimidating, once you get used to using Inventor, having many
different file types will be less of a concern. The benefit of using multiple file types to have fully
associative, automatically updating designs is a cornerstone of most 3D parametric modelers. Per-
formance and stability in the use of Inventor require good data management principles, including
storing the saved files in an efficient and organized manner. We’ll introduce this subject later in
this chapter and expand upon it in Chapter 2.