AutoCalcsTo3D Bridge Help

🚀 LEGACY SYSTEM - Upgrade to CalcsLive Plug for Inventor

This documentation is for the legacy AC3D Bridge desktop application.

We highly recommend upgrading to the new CalcsLive Plug for Inventor, which offers significant improvements:

Why Upgrade?

Feature	Legacy AC3D Bridge	New CalcsLive Plug
Calculations	Pre-built library only	✅ Unlimited user-generated calculations
Integration	Desktop app (Inventor App Store)	✅ Web-based dashboard (no install)
Workflow	One-way (Calculation → Model)	✅ Bidirectional (Model ⟷ Calculation)
Unit System	Basic units	✅ 67+ engineering unit categories
Deployment	Requires Inventor App Store	✅ Python bridge server you control
Updates	Manual app updates	✅ Automatic dashboard updates

Get Started with CalcsLive Plug for Inventor

1. Read the Guide: CalcsLive Plug for Inventor Help
2. Install Bridge Server: GitHub Repository
3. Launch Dashboard: Open Dashboard

The legacy documentation below is preserved for existing AC3D Bridge users only.

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Legacy Overview

AutoCalcs is a web-based calculation platform that revolutionizes engineering calculations through automated unit conversion and multi-step calculation capabilities.

AC3D (AutoCalcsTo3D Bridge) is a legacy desktop application that integrates AutoCalcs calculations with Autodesk Inventor. It allows users to:

• Access associated AutoCalcs calculations to update 3D models
• AutoCalcs empowers Inventor to perform custom calculations
• Browse AC3D supported parametric 3D models
• Update Inventor model parameters based on calculation results

For Preview version download, click AC3D Bridge, or visit Inventor's App Store to download AC3D Bridge.

Workflow in Photos

AC3D Bridge Logo

AC3D Main Window

AC3D Calculation Portal

AC3D Calculation Sample

AC3D Calculation - Save Quantities

AC3D Data Mapping Dialog

AC3D Data Mapping Dialog

AC3D Data Mapped on Main Window

AC3D Model Library

AutoCalcsTo3D Bridge Intro

Getting Started

1. Launch AC3D Bridge application
2. Launch Autodesk Inventor and load a model
3. The interface has four main tabs:
   • Main: Controls data flow between AutoCalcs and Inventor
   • AutoCalcs Calculations: Shows calculation pages
   • Model Library: Browse available models and calculations
   • Help: Access help documentation

Performing AutoCalcs Calculations

1. In AutoCalcs Calculation tab:
   • Enter required values, switch units as needed, in the calculation page
   • Click Save Quantities button to store results
2. In Main tab:
   • Click Map Parameters to open Parameters Editor Window.
     • Inventor model's parameters and AutoCalcs Calculation's quantities will be listed respectively in their tables
     • The table on the left hand side lists all user parameters of current Inventor model. In column "Mapping to PQ", select quantity symbol from the dropdown list to set up the mapping to AutoCalcs calculation
     • Add note if needed
     • The table on the right hand side lists all quantities in loaded AutoCalcs Calculation.
   • Click Update 3D Model to pass quantities from calculation to update Inventor model

TIP

Both AutoCalcs Calculations & Model Library tabs are web browser based, thus you can right click on the page and use Back & Forward buttons to navigate.

Preparing 3D Models for AutoCalcs Calculations

1. In Inventor, select the model to be used with AutoCalcs Calculations

Using Model Library

1. Browse available models in the grid layout
2. Users can use their own models, as long as they are compatible with AC3D.
3. Search models using the search bar
4. Click on a model card to opens associated calculation in the calculation tab

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Migrating from AC3D Bridge to CalcsLive Plug

If you're currently using the legacy AC3D Bridge, here's how to transition to the new CalcsLive Plug for Inventor:

Migration Steps

1. Install CalcsLive Plug Bridge Server

   • Clone repository: https://github.com/CalcsLive/calcslive-plug-4-inventor
   • Install Python dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt
   • Start bridge server: python main.py

2. Access CalcsLive Plug Dashboard

   • Open https://www.calcslive.com/inventor/dashboard
   • Sign in to your CalcsLive account (Free tier available)
   • Dashboard auto-detects your Bridge connection

3. Recreate Your Calculations

   • Option A: Use existing public calculations from CalcsLive library
   • Option B: Create your own calculations at www.calcslive.com
   • Link calculations to your Inventor models via drag-and-drop mapping

4. Set Up Parameter Mapping

   • Open your Inventor model with User Parameters (fx)
   • Select CalcsLive article in dashboard
   • Drag Physical Quantities (PQs) from calculator panel to parameter table
   • Click "Update 3D Model" to persist mappings

Key Differences to Understand

Calculation Creation:

• AC3D: Pre-built calculations only (XML-based)
• CalcsLive Plug: Create any calculation online using markdown-based PQ syntax

Integration Method:

• AC3D: Desktop app with custom properties
• CalcsLive Plug: Web dashboard + Comment-based mapping (CA0:symbol #note)

Workflow:

• AC3D: Calculation → Model (one-way)
• CalcsLive Plug: Model ⟷ Calculation (bidirectional Engineering-Driven Design)

Parameter Storage:

• AC3D: Custom Inventor properties
• CalcsLive Plug: Lightweight Comment field metadata (more portable)

Need Help?

• Complete Guide: CalcsLive Plug for Inventor Documentation
• Support: don.wen@calcslive.com
• GitHub Issues: Report issues or ask questions

Benefits of Upgrading

The new CalcsLive Plug system gives you:

• Freedom to create unlimited calculations for any engineering discipline
• Professional unit-aware calculations with 67+ unit categories
• Bidirectional workflow for iterative engineering-driven design
• Open-source bridge you control (no App Store dependency)
• Automatic dashboard updates without reinstalling software

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Legacy AC3D Bridge documentation continues below.