I would like to export a steel frame from Inventor to STAAD.
My current model/simulation in Inventor has the following data:
-member properties
-material constants
-member orientations
-member end conditions
-loading information
I would like to import the complete model into STAAD. I think that this can only be done using a CIS/2 file, but I am not sure if Inventor is capable of producing this type of file. Have any other users found a solution to this issue? I could export it as a .dwg to AutoCAD, convert it to a .dxf file, and then bring it into STAAD but all of my other work would be lost and I would basically start from scratch. Any guidance would be apprecieated.
I don't think you are going to have much luck here. Inventor, as I understand it, creates the geometry using solid type objects vs the linear beams we use in STAAD.Pro. If it can create a CIS/2 file, that's your best bet. Using an IFC file that is imported into Structural Synchronizer and then imported into STAAD using Integrated Structural Modelling (ISM) is the only other route I can think of. For more see:
https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/9234/import-model-in-staad-pro
So it seems like Inventor cannot generate a CIS/2 file which is definitely unfortunate as it can generate a .stp file which has been pretty interchangable with all of our other software.
I have tried to export our steel drawing through AutoCAD by creating a DXF file. I have been trying to import the DXF file to STAAD, on some instances it has crashed and asked me to send an error report, on a few other instances it has finished without error but does not generate anything (blank page), and one instance it created a single line that seemed to match a view in the x direction.
I have a 3D model and I am transferring it in one of the 3 accepted file types, but am not having luck. Is there a support center where I could have an instant conversation with someone more experienced than me? Possibly screen share?
If I have to redraw it, I guess I have to redraw it. BUT if there is something that I am missing I would really like to figure it out and reduce the build time in future cases.
If you are going to go the DXF route, then you need a 3D wireframe along the member centroid lines. See: https://docs.bentley.com/LiveContent/web/STAAD.Pro%20Help-v9/en/GUID-14DEA085-4848-4223-8B43-FA7230ED109E.html
You can access the phone support numbers here: https://www.bentley.com/en/about-us/contact-us
https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/f/ram-staad-forum/107397/do-we-need-to-add-any-additional-modules-to-allow-importing-of-autodesk-inventor-models-to-staad-pro
So the answer to the forum post above is that you will need to essentially start from scratch and there is no compatibility between Inventor and STAAD? Even if you use a middle man software?If there is a certain piece of software that would help me transfer between Inventor and STAAD do you know what that would be?
Not that it really matters because as you are seeing I don't think it can be done, but are you using Inventor's frame generator then going into the Frame Analysis or Nastran environment? I ask because you said you already have member releases and loads so it seems like that is the only way you could input those.
Bear in mind that Inventor is an Autodesk product so they are not going to jump through hoops so you can import your model into STAAD. You can import it into Robot which is their product.
If you have Inventor Pro (which I believe is the only flavor they have subscriptions for these days) you could just do the analysis right in Inventor using the Frame Analysis. Granted it's not as robust as STAAD and I wouldn't attempt it for a very large model. Actually, I don't think it even does code checking. I just looked and didn't see it but I'm no expert.