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Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
File Import and Export
Learn how to import geometry and export results.
CAD Import
Learn about the CAD import process, configuring the import reader for various file formats, cleaning up CAD on import, and repairing invalid parts.
Configure the CAD Import Reader
Configure the CAD import reader for various file formats such as CATIA and STEP.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
- What is Altair Inspire?
  Inspire is a concept design tool, which you can use to run structural optimization, finite element analysis, motion analysis, and additive manufacturing analysis.
- Videos: Getting Started with Inspire
  A series of videos introducing the view controls, 3D modeling, structural analysis, topology optimization, and PolyNURBS.
- Licensing Features
  Some ribbon tabs are associated with license features. Depending upon the tab you have invoked, additional units may be drawn. These features will be checked out for the duration of the session.
- Workspace and Tool Belts
  Learn how to customize the workspace and tool belts.
- Find and Search for Tools
  Quickly find and open the tools that are available on the ribbons.
- File Import and Export
  Learn how to import geometry and export results.
  - Create, Open, Save, or Revert a Model
    Create, open, save, or revert a model using standard keyboard shortcuts, the Files icon, or the File menu.
  - CAD Import
    Learn about the CAD import process, configuring the import reader for various file formats, cleaning up CAD on import, and repairing invalid parts.
    - CAD Import Process
      CAD import occurs in three steps: (1) pre-processing, (2) conversion from a third-party format to Parasolid where applicable, and (3) post-processing of the Parasolid model.
    - Configure the CAD Import Reader
      Configure the CAD import reader for various file formats such as CATIA and STEP.
    - Clean Up CAD on Import
      Run a diagnostic test on the imported model to review and fix issues with parts.
    - Repair Invalid CAD Parts
      Use the Repair parts tool to heal invalid CAD parts after import.
  - Import and Merge Geometry
    Import and merge a saved model with the current model.
  - Export Geometry and Results
    Export geometry and simulation results for use in another application.
  - Supported File Formats
    View a list of supported file formats for import and export.
  - Product Data Management (PDM)
    Open, import, and save files to PTC Windchill™ or Siemens Teamcenter™.
- Select and Edit
  Review techniques for selecting and editing objects.
- Adjust the View
  Change the view in the modeling window using the mouse or view controls.
- Move and Snap
  Translate, rotate, and align parts and other objects using the Move tool and snaps.
- Screen Capture
  Record a video or take a snapshot of the screen.
- Units and Measurement
  Change the default unit system, create custom units, and measure geometry features.
- Browse and Organize
  Browse and organize all of the entities in your model.
- Run a Simulation
  Use the Analyze icons that appear on various ribbons to run and view the results of a simulation.
- Help and User Assistance
  Learn about the forms of help and user assistance available from the product.
- Preferences
  Modify the workspace display, default keyboard shortcuts, and other settings.
- System Requirements
  A list of supported operating systems and minimum requirements for hardware and memory.
- Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
  Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Configure the CAD Import Reader

Configure the CAD import reader for various file formats such as CATIA and STEP.

On the File menu, click the Preferences button. Under Category, go to Inspire > CAD Import Translator.

CAD Import Translator

Choose between a CT or Spatial reader.

By default, CATIA and STEP models use the Spatial reader.


Preference	Description
ACIS (.sab, .sat)	The default reader is CT.
CATIA V4 (.model)	The default reader is Spatial.
CATIA V5 (.CATPart, .CATProduct)	The default reader is Spatial.
IGES (.iges, .igs)	The default reader is CT.
Inventor (.ipt, .iam)	The default reader is CT.
PTC Creo (.asm, .prt)	The default reader is CT.
UG NX (Unigraphics) (.prt)	The default reader is CT.
SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm)	The default reader is CT.
STEP (.step, .stp)	The default reader is Spatial.