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Learning Objectives
Export a solid model to Autodesk Inventor
Description
This class will show simple and effective methods for easily creating variable-height retaining walls using
tools in AutoCAD Civil 3D software, and it will be of interest to anyone wishing to work on retaining wall
design. The class will cover concepts that are often misconstrued as complex, and we will deliver these
topics in an easy-to-understand and occasionally entertaining style. In this document (Part III), the
delegate will see ways to export the model into Revit and Inventor. We will also see ways in which
Autodesk Inventor can be used to improve the solid model.
See Part I, Part II and Part IIIa for further learning objectives.
Standards
This document is based around the styles and standards in the default _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Metric)
NCS.dwt file shipped with AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Screencast Presentation
A screencast presentation of this instructional demonstration will be made available to match this
handout. The screencast presentation matching this document can be viewed at:
http://autode.sk/1Q7Gopw
Your AU Expert Joe Wright
Joe Wright graduated with a degree in cybernetics in 1988, after which he co-founded MicroCAD, a U.K.
based Autodesk Gold Partner. Last year he sold his controlling stake in the company to GRAITEC Ltd.,
with whom he now works as a consultant. Joe has more than 25 years of AutoCAD software experience,
and he has worked with civil engineers for the last 7 years, helping them to get the most out of
AutoCAD Civil 3D software, and frequently picking up projects that were considered to be difficult. As an
educator, Joe is skilled in delivering complex topics, often making them easy to understand in a simple
and engaging fashion. His broad spectrum of knowledge regarding a wide range of software products,
along with his involvement in data management and solid modeling packages, has led him to introduce
processes to a wide variety of industrial sectors.
Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
FIGURE 1: THE SOLID MODEL, IMPROVED USING INVENTOR, RE-INSERTED INTO CIVIL 3D
Step 1 - Open the drawing AU-INVENTOR-IN-OUT.dwg in Civil 3D. The drawing contains a solid
model of a Civil 3D corridor created as outlined in Part II of this class, it also contains a graded
surface and an imported Revit building model. Examine the properties of the AutoCAD point
shown below, this should show the drawing is positioned thousands of meters away from the
origin point.
FIGURE 2: CIVIL 3D GRADED SURFACE, REVIT MODEL AND RETAINING WALL SOLID MODEL
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 2 Draw a line using the AutoCAD Line command from 0,0,0 to the red point by using
the NODE object snap.
Step 4 Zoom to extents. The line will be very long (over 700,000m) and the solid model will be
dwarfed by the line.
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 5 Use the AutoCAD Move command to reposition the solid model from one end of the
line to other. (Note: use a normal selection window to select the solids not a crossing window).
Step 7 Zoom to extents and take a 3D view. Use the AutoCAD ID command to list the
coordinates of a point on the model to ensure the model exists within 150m of the origin point.
Ensure X, Y and Z all meet this criteria.
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 8 A this stage we can output the model. We will output the solids as an ACIS (.sat) file. On
the AutoCAD command line type ACISOUT and select the two solids that represent the Wall
and Footings. Save the newly created .sat file to a convenient location.
Step 9 Once the .sat file has been created, use NOTEPAD to open it. In Notepad on the third
line down, change the first number to -1. (The original number may be 1 or 23.9999999). A
value of -1 will make the ACIS (.sat) unitless, this will allow us to choose units on import into
inventor. Close and save you alteration to this file.
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 10 Open Autodesk Inventor. Choose Open from the launch tab. In the Files of type: box
select SAT Files (*.sat) and navigate to the .sat file you saved and modified earlier.
.
FIGURE 10: SETTING THE CORRECT IMPORT OPTIONS
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 12 Check the units are correct! Believe me, you dont want to spend hours working on
this model only to find youve been working at the wrong scale! So, once the model is loaded,
zoom in on one end, and using the Distance measure on the Inspect tab, click the edge shown
and verify it measures 0.5m.
http://autode.sk/1Q7Gopw
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Assign materials to
each solid
Add abutments as
required
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 14 Once the model is complete we can re-import into Civil 3D. To do this we need to
export it out of inventor, as a .sat file. On the Inventor application menu, choose Export
followed by CAD Format, change Save as type: to SAT Files (*.sat) and save the file as an
appropriate name.
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
Step 15 Verify the model is as expected. Then unfreeze the layers REVIT MODEL, REFERENCE
NODE, REFERENCE LINE and C-TOPO. Zoom to Extents. Then reverse the process outlined in
step 5 to move the geometry back to the correct coordinates.
Step 16 Freeze the layers REFERENCE LINE and REFERENCE NODE. Then zoom to extents.
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Retaining Walls in AutoCAD Civil 3DMade Easy
FIGURE 17: CIVIL TIN SURFACE, REVIT MODEL AND INVENTOR IMPROVED VARIABLE HEIGHT RETAINING WALL
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