What is the IPT file format?
.ipt (Inventor Part) is one of the core file formats used by Autodesk Inventor, a mechanical parts modeling, simulation and visualization software. .ipt files store a single parametric 2D or 3D component, including its geometry, feature history, constraints and material properties, as a proprietary binary file based on the Microsoft Compound File Binary (OLE2) container.
.ipt files are used during modeling and prototyping of such elements as engines, valves, cylinders and shafts. Finished parts are then combined into a larger structure and the final assembly is saved as an .IAM (Inventor Assembly) file. For neutral exchange with other CAD tools, Inventor can export .ipt geometry to .STEP format.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn .ipt is CAD geometry data, not an executable, so opening one in Inventor/Fusion or a viewer is safe. The realistic concerns are non-malware: an .ipt may reference external parts/iParts or use a different Inventor version (causing missing references or 'newer version' errors), and a part model can embed proprietary design detail (exact, measurable geometry) - treat shared files as sensitive. Download Inventor/Fusion and the Autodesk Viewer only from autodesk.com to avoid fake-'IPT viewer' adware sites.
Format details
in a nutshellMAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
0001020304050607
HEX
D0CF11E0A1B11AE1
ASCII
········
Inventor .ipt files are Microsoft Compound File Binary (OLE2 structured-storage) containers, so they share the D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 signature with old Office files and other Inventor types (.iam/.idw/.ipn). Internal streams identify it as an Inventor part; the format is proprietary and version-specific.
Programs that open IPT files
Windows4 apps
Autodesk Inventor
Paid File > Open the .ipt to view and edit the part with full feature history. Subscription product. 
Autodesk Viewer (web)
Free Upload the .ipt in a browser (free Autodesk account) to view, rotate and measure without Inventor - the best free way to just look at a part.
Autodesk Fusion
Freemium Upload/Open the .ipt to import it into Fusion for viewing or further modeling. Free for personal/hobby use.
Inventor View / Inventor Read-Only
Free Legacy free Inventor viewer for opening .ipt/.iam read-only; largely superseded by the web Autodesk Viewer. 
macOS2 apps
Autodesk Viewer (web)
Free Inventor has no native macOS app - use the browser-based Autodesk Viewer to view .ipt on a Mac.
Autodesk Fusion
Freemium Native macOS app - upload/open the .ipt to view or model. Free for personal use.
Web1 app
Autodesk Viewer
Free Drag the .ipt onto viewer.autodesk.com to view, measure and share - no install, any OS. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Autodesk |
| Format category | Parametric 3D CAD part file (single component) |
| Container format | Microsoft Compound File Binary (OLE2 structured storage) |
| Magic bytes | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 (OLE2 header at offset 0) |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Part scope | Single solid or surface body component only; multi-part assemblies use .iam |
| Parametric feature tree | Full history-based feature tree retained (sketches, extrusions, fillets, chamfers, threads, etc.) |
| Version compatibility | Version-specific binary; not forward-compatible without Inventor's built-in migration tool |
| Geometry types | Solid bodies, surface bodies, 2D sketches, mesh bodies |
| Embedded metadata | iProperties (part number, author, description), materials, user parameters, constraints, work features |
| Export interoperability | Exportable to STEP, SAT, DWG, STL, OBJ, PDF and other neutral or downstream formats |
| Related Inventor formats | .iam (assembly), .idw (2D drawing), .ipn (presentation / exploded view) |
| Third-party viewers | Autodesk Viewer (web), Autodesk Fusion, Inventor View (Windows, read-only) |
| Platform | Autodesk Inventor requires Windows; Autodesk Fusion also supports macOS |
| Released | 1999 (Autodesk Inventor 1.0) |
| Specification | www.autodesk.com |
IPT conversions
Possible
.IPT .STEPGUIDE
Yes, IPT can be converted to STEP - the fastest way is File > Export > CAD Format > STEP in Autodesk…
How to convert
.IPT .OBJGUIDE
Yes -- open the part in Autodesk Inventor or Fusion, then export it as OBJ.
How to convert
.IPT .SLDPRTGUIDE
Yes, you can get an Inventor part into SolidWorks - export STEP from Inventor or Fusion, then open that STEP…
How to convert
.IPT .STLGUIDE
Yes -- open the part in Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Fusion, then export to STL. Fusion is free for personal…
How to convert
.IPT .STPGUIDE
Yes, IPT converts to STP - export STEP from Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Fusion (free for personal use),…
How to convert
.IPT .IGESGUIDE
Yes, IPT can be converted to IGES - open the part in Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Fusion, then export…
How to convert
.IPT .DWGGUIDE
Yes, IPT can be converted to DWG - the standard route is to create an Inventor drawing of the part and export…
How to convert
.IPT .PDFGUIDE
Yes -- the fastest route is Autodesk Inventor on Windows: create a drawing (.idw) of the part, then Plot to…
How to convert
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about IPT files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an IPT file without Inventor?
Upload it to the free Autodesk Viewer (viewer.autodesk.com) in a browser to view, rotate and measure it - no Inventor needed, works on any OS. Autodesk Fusion (free for personal use) can also import .ipt for viewing or modeling.
Why won't my IPT file open in Inventor?
Usually a version mismatch - the part was saved in a newer Inventor than yours, and older Inventor can't open newer files. Use the same/newer Inventor, ask the author to save down or export STEP, or just view it in the web Autodesk Viewer.
How do I convert an IPT to STL for 3D printing?
Open the part in Inventor or Fusion and Export to STL (choosing a mesh resolution), then load the STL into your slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer). STL is the standard 3D-printing format; IPT itself isn't a printable mesh.
How do I get an IPT part into SolidWorks or another CAD?
Export it to STEP (.step/.stp) from Inventor or Fusion, then open that in the other CAD. STEP carries the exact solid geometry across systems (the parametric feature history doesn't transfer).
What's the difference between IPT and IAM files?
An .ipt is a single part (one component); an .iam is an assembly that references multiple parts put together. You build parts as .ipt and combine them into an .iam assembly.
What's the difference between STEP and STP exports?
None - .step and .stp are the same ISO 10303-21 format, just different extensions. Either works when exporting an IPT for another CAD program.
References
1Autodesk - Inventor (product/overview)www.autodesk.com
2Autodesk Viewer (free online viewer)viewer.autodesk.com
