Factory Design - Improve Inventor Performance by Unloading Heavy XREFs in AutoCAD

Learn how to remove excessive data, such as large building layouts or equipment details, and achieve better 3D layout performance in Autodesk Inventor. In this video, Pete explores using XREFs (external references) in layout models to reduce the load on AutoCAD drawings and enable effective collaboration. Discover the simple steps to unload XREFs in AutoCAD, synchronize with Inventor, and witness significant file size reduction with the option to aggregate the data in Navisworks. Leave a comment if you'd like more information on utilizing XREFs in factory layout design!
Read the blog post: go.d3tech.net/inventor-blog/i...

[@EB-zn4hs]

How do you control the origin so that files from Inventor, Revit, and AutoCAD fall into place in Navisworks?

[@Team-D3]

Great question @EB-zn4hs! Currently the best process is to ensure there is proper communication between the Architect (Revit) and the individual layout / product designers (Inventor and AutoCAD).
With Inventor, things are relatively easy, because the Revit origin will align with the Inventor origin. Therefore, if you reference the Revit building into an Inventor layout by "Grounding at Origin" the location of the building will be easy to determine. Some adjustments may need to be made to the Inventor factory layout from that point.
If you've exported the Revit model as a 2D AutoCAD floorplan, the process becomes a bit more complicated. The Revit floorplan will come into AutoCAD at proper X, Y coordinates, but at the Z = 0 elevation, which may not match the actual building. At that point, you may have to simply move the AutoCAD layout up to the proper Z elevation level.
After taking those steps, everything should line up in Navisworks, which is easier than trying to move them around in Navisworks (in my opinion). My team and I are currently performing some research to determine if there is a more reliable way to communicate / automate the building location from Revit. At the moment, we're looking into a special family that can be used to set up the building location and communicate the elevation. Hopefully we'll know more within a handful of weeks...
My apologies for the delay in responding to you and please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your patience, hope all is well and have a most blessed day!
- Pete