Driving Assemblies and Sub-Assemblies in Autodesk Inventor

In this short video I have tried to explain some of the considerations and settings required to enable you to drive assemblies and sub-assemblies in Autodesk Inventor.  You can access the video here.

Use Inventor Model Preview Image to Help Control Use

As a engineering project develops and changes, engineers and designers will have Inventor parts and assemblies that need to be retained for reference purposes but it is imperative that they never be used for production work.  Every design firm has their own way of making sure that these reference models are not mistakenly used.  These vary from creating reference folders, squirreling them away on a archive workstation and those using the Autodesk Vault will place them in an archival Vault folder and may attach them to the final assembly so they are ready reference.

This article explains a method of tagging the model thumbnail image so there will be one more safeguard that the assembly or part model will not be used by mistake for production work.  We all are familiar with the thumbnail image created by default when saving an Inventor model.  We see these when we browse for a model to open, when we browse in Windows Explorer using thumbnail images, we see them in the "Home" screen in later version of Inventor, and we also use them in the Autodesk Vault.  This is the image I want to change to give one more level of warning.  Below are two images, one of a production ready assembly and one of a reference assembly with a warning thumbnail.

The great thing about this thumbnail, it will be used by other applications such as Autodesk Vault and Design Assistant so once it is assigned, it follows the model throughout its life history.

The first step is to create an image file containing the message you want to disply.  This image file can be in any of the popular image formats, I use JPG but others work just fine.  The image should be 180 x 180 pixels or Inventor will complain but you can accept the message and use your image anyway.  I would not recommend it being much larger.  I developed mine using Techsmith Snagit Editor but any good graphic program can be used.  IrfanView is a great free editor. 

Save the file in a folder of your choice, I would recommend somewhere in your local workspace but that is not a requirement.  To assign the image as the thumbnail image of an Inventor model, open up the model in Inventor and then select "Save As" or "Save Copy As" from the File menu or Application menu if you are using an older copy of Inventor.  Enter the new model name and the desired folder, then select the "Options" icon at the bottom of the dialog box.

In the File Save Options dialog box, make sure the "Save Preview Picture" option is checked and then select the "Import From File" radio button.  The "Import" icon will become active, select it and browse for your image file.  Select the image file and select "Open" in the dialog box to return to Inventor.  Select "OK" and the dialog box will disappear.  Select "Save" and you are finished.

The next time you view the thumbnail image for the model it will display your image file instead of an image of the model.  The screen shot below is taken from the Home page of Inventor 2017.

Below I finish I want to give another tip on how to make sure Windows File Explorer will show Inventor thumbnails images instead of generic icons.  Navigate to the Folder Options  dialog box, View tab in Windows Explorer and remove the check mark beside the "Always show icons, never thumbnails".  It is not necessary but I would place a check mark beside "Display file icon on thumbnails" also.

Inventor Solid Body Modeling

Autodesk Inventor has a marvelous tool called Solid Body Modeling or it is sometimes called Multi-Body Modeling.  I created a video showing how I can use this modeling method to create a male and female die for a plastic shell part supplied to me in a SAT format.  I then continued to show how to create the plastic shell part if you only had the male and female die using Multi-Body Modeling.  Click on this link to access the video.

My 10 Favorite Inventor Sketching Tips

I have published a video of my favorite 10 Autodesk Inventor sketching tips on YouTube.  There are a lot more but I tried to limit the video to 15 minutes.  I hope you will find some useful in your Inventor design work.  Please click here to be taken to video.

Using Autodesk A360 Drive for Collaborative Design - Part 3

Welcome back to part 3 of the article describing the features of Autodesk A360 Drive.  If you missed part 1 and part 2, simply click on the part you missed for a review.  I want to cover the main feature, and probably the reason it exists, of A360 Drive in this article.  Autodesk A360 Drive is a collaboration site where the poster of models can invite others to view, download and comment on designs.  Depending on the share permissions the owner of the site grants to other users will determine what functions or features are available.  

The first task of the owner is to "Share" some or all the files on A360 Drive with others.  This is done using the share function.  This function can be found on the "Home" view which is where all folders and files appear.  If you select "Share" on the folder level, all files contained in the folder will be given the same share permissions.  If you select "Share" on the file level, only that one file will have the granted share permissions.  This is why in part 2 of this article I recommended you place files in folders so you can share all files in one click.  I will be sharing my folder "Right Angle Engine" with my second account which uses my middle and last name in order to show the features.  I first select the folder by hovering over the share symbol beside the folder.

Selecting the "Share" icon will allow you to add email addresses and give the desired rights to the entire group you are inviting.  If you desire to give each email address different rights, you will have to execute the "Share" function multiple times.

The recipient will receive an email similar to the one below.  Please note the email message include your invitation message as well as a link to the files in the folder which was shared.

Full Access rights will give the recipient the ability to re-share the complete folder with others so be careful before giving this high level of access to your folders and files. If the recipient has been given "Full Access", they will have the right to send a view link to any individual file shared with them to anyone else.  Also they will have the right to allow downloading of the individual file as well.  The link will be created from A360 Drive, sent to the recipient by email and the recipient can click on the link and view the file online in Autodesk A360 Viewer.  

If the "View and Download" permission has been given during the share, the recipient can download any file to their local drive.  One great thing about A360 Drive is the download of the complete folder will automatically zip the entire contents to a folder on the recipient's computer.

During the collaboration effort, comments can be made directly inside the file viewer.  The icon is located in the upper right hand corner of the viewer window.  Anyone who receives a share from the owner will have comment ability.

Comments are cumulative and will remain during the share folder life.  The ability to reply to specific messages is available.  One feature I did not see is a visual or email notification that new comments have been added.

The last feature I would like to mention is the version handling ability of A360 Drive.  If you are the owner you have two ways to upload a new version of any file.  The first is to simply copy a new version to your A360 local drive and replace the existing files.  A360 will automatically upload and version the corresponding files on A360 Drive.  If you are not the owner, you must select the file(s) you want to version and select "Upload New Version".  The owner can use this method as well.

Once A360 Drive processes the version change it will display the newest version automatically and indicated which version is displaying.  Another great feature is the ability to select which version is displayed for design comparisons.

There are a few other features I hope you will explore on your own.  You have the ability to "Move" files to a folder of your choice on A360 Team which makes it handy if this application is used by your team.  A360 Drive has a trash bin so if a file or folder is deleted by accident, it can be recovered.  Do not forget to empty it once in awhile because you only have 5 GB free space.  Files may be copied within A360 Drive making it convenient to create new collaborative projects.

Please give Autodesk A360 Drive a try, you will be glad you did.

Using Autodesk A360 Drive for Collaborative Design - Part 2

I apologize of taking so long to get to part 2 of this article where I talk about the features when working inside Autodesk A360 Drive, so let's get started.

I will be using my second method of adding an Inventor assembly with all supporting files which I think is the most productive method of using A360 Drive.  If you need a refresher, see Part 1 of this article.  The first recommendation is to place all files in a folder structure.  Some of the functions within A360 Drive can only be applied to a group of files by selecting a folder, unless you enjoy selecting one file at a time and then applying the function.  In the following graphic I show one folder, which is selected, which in turn selects each file contained within.  

Next I would like to take a look at the functions available when viewing a file.  I will be viewing an Inventor assembly.  Selecting the folder, Right Angle Engine, you will be taken to the list of Inventor files.  I will select the assembly file and this will open the A360 Drive viewer.  At the bottom you will see various tools which are labeled below.

1. Orbit - This function operates identical to the Inventor Orbit function.  Using your left mouse button drag while hovering near various locations on the compass, you can achieve different obit motions.  Do not forget about the model centering feature by left clicking on a model location to make it the pivot of the orbit.  Of course after you really mess it up, you can return to "Home" position by selecting the "Home" icon in the upper right corner of the viewing window.  By the way, the orbit command is automatically engaged when you enter the viewing window, you just do not have all the controls the actual Orbit command offers.  To deselect the Orbit command, select the command again or press ESC on the keyboard.  This applies to all the commands.
2. Pan -  This function allows you to hold down your left button and pan the model in any direction.  You can skip this command by holding down your middle mouse button.  I you do not have a middle mouse button  hold down the Shift key and the left mouse button to perform the same function.  The right mouse button works also.
3. Zoom - Selecting this command allows you to use your left mouse button drag to zoom your model.  You can do the same thing using the wheel on your mouse if available.
4. First Person - This allows you to use the keyboard for viewing the model instead of using a mouse.  The keys are defined on-screen as soon as you select the command.
5. Camera Interactions - This command has three options, Fit to View, Roll and Focal Length.  Select the command then close to the small up arrow to change the option.
6. Section Views - This command has four model sectioning options, X, Y, Z axis and Box.  Select the command and then close to the small up arrow to change the sectioning option.  Leaving the command by selection it a second time or pressing ESC returns the model to a non-sectioned state.  One thing about the Box option I did not care for is that you can only "size" the box in one axis.  
7. Measure - By selecting two objects the measurement is returned.  This is meant for measurement estimates, not accuracy so be aware of your results.
8. Explode Model - Selecting this command will present a slider bar.  Dragging the slider with your left mouse will explode an assembly components.  This function will of course not work when viewing a single assembly component.
9. Properties - This function is of little value when viewing a model.  It reports the name of the component or assembly which you already know from the file name you selected to open the view.  Properties will be covered later in this article.
10. Settings - This function opens a dialog box with two tabs, Navigation and Selection settings and Performance and Appearance settings.  One particular setting you will want to use immediately is under the Performance and Appearance tab.  The Environmental and Lighting selection drop down will enable you to adjust the colors and intensity of the lighting for better viewing.  I would suggest using the "Plaza" selection which I found to be the best.  The viewer does a very poor job of representing true model colors.
11. Full Screen - This functions just as it is named.  Use ESC to return to the normal viewing window.

If you have selected the setting to show the View Cube, it functions exactly like the view cube in Inventor.  You will find the View Cube options appear below and to the right of the view cube when you hover over it.  The default view is perspective and even after you change it, it will return when the viewing window is open again.

When viewing an Inventor assembly, one of the most valuable tools is the Scenes button in the upper left corner of the viewing screen.  Selecting it will expand the assembly into a list of its components.  By selecting one or more (using the Shift key) you can hide all other components for detail viewing.  To return all hidden components either press ESC or right click in the background and select "Show All Objects".  The most valuable feature of this process is selecting the "Properties" function when only one component is showing.  The full Inventor iProperties are displayed.  The "Other" iProperties are the custom iProperties of the component.  the iProperty is not displayed unless it has a value.

This article is getting pretty long and I have a lot more to mention so I will continue in Part 3 of this article.  I promise it will not be as long as the time between Part 1 and Part 2.

Using Autodesk A360 Drive for Collaborative Design - Part 1

When installing Autodesk Product Design Suite 2017, one optional application which can be configured is the A360 Desktop which will install a local A360 Drive also.  This application will create a synchronized link between the local A360 Drive and the Autodesk A360 Drive website.  Using your Autodesk ID, which can be obtained free, you can log into the A360 Drive website to manage your uploaded files, share access with others for collaborative design and update your files as design changes are made.

In this article I will be using Inventor design files but any type file can be added to the A360 Drive website and shared with team members.  When Inventor 2017 is installed an add-in is installed called Connected Design on A360.  

If this add-in is loaded and the Connected Design on A360 user interface is enabled, there will be a new small icon added to your Inventor graphics screen in the lower right hand corner.  This icon, when selected, will give you access directly to the Autodesk A360 Drive and also allow you to upload collaboration files directly from the currently open part or assembly model.

       

 If you select this small icon it will open up the Connected Design on A360 panel.

The panel consists of two main tabs, Events and Design Shares.  If you currently do not have any designs currently on your Autodesk A360 Drive, this tab will be grayed out.  If you would like to quickly open and log into your Autodesk A36 Drive, you can select the A360 Drive icon in the upper left hand corner.

To get started sharing a part or assembly model on A360 Drive, open a part or assembly model in Inventor and then select the Design Share this View at the bottom of the panel.  After selection you have the ability to change and add to the Design Share file name, add comments, decide to share Component Names and/or Part Properties and add the email of Collaborators who you desire to be notified via email of the shared design.  Later you can also collaborators inside the Autodesk A360 Drive website.  Selecting the Start Design Share button at the bottom of the dialog box will add the file to the website.

Once the design has be shared to the A360 Drive website, the Design Shares tab will become active.  On this panel you will see shares you own, be able to add email addresses to invite collaborators and will see design shares shared with you.  You can also end design shares you have uploaded.  At the bottom of the dialog box you can see the design share upload status.

I am sure you will notice that the application created a single file for my uploaded assembly. This means the assembly model and part models are combined into this single file and individual files are not available for download.  This feature makes sure that the design is secure and proprietary content is protected.  If someone downloads the file, it has a .collaboration extension and is not editable.

In this article I will not cover the functions available on the A360 Drive website, I will do that in a future post.  I would like to focus on other ways to use the local A360 Drive and A360 Drive website.  As I just explained, the collaboration file created by Inventor is non-editable which is not what some design teams desire.  There are those you want to share editable files between design teams around the world.  The A360 Desktop application not only creates a A360 Drive on your system but also installed the controlling A360 Desktop application which you can find in the running application on the Windows taskbar.  By default, the application starts when you Windows starts.

If you would like to share any files on the A360 Drive website, all you have to do is copy them into the local A360 Drive.  The application will automatically synchronize all files from the local A360 Drive to the A360 Drive website.  I suggest that you do not save files directly from the CAD application to the local A360 Drive due to the fact is will be outside of the current Inventor project file and will create a uncontrolled saved file location.  When copying an Inventor assembly, it is unnecessary copy the associated part files because the application will automatically ask you if you desire to upload all associated files.  

If you desire to skip this dialog box and have all associated files uploaded automatically, right click on the A360 Drive icon on the taskbar and select preferences.  

In the A360 Desktop Preferences panel select "Copy Automatically" radio button under Linked files.  When you now copy an Inventor assembly all associated files will be copied to the local A360 Drive folder and will be automatically synchronized with the A360 Drive website.  I know I am talking about Inventor files here but if you copy an AutoCAD drawing containing Xreferences, they will be copied as well to the local A360 Drive.

Synchronization can be controlled by selections within the A360 Desktop icon in the taskbar if desired.  Right click on the icon to see the options.

If you look at the copied files, in your local A360 Drive, you will see the synchronization status indicated in the file icons.

As the design changes, simply copy the edited file to your local A360 Drive and the automatic synchronization will add a version to the existing A360 Drive website file retaining the previous version to aid in collaborative reviewing.

In this article I have covered two methods of sharing Inventor designs on the Autodesk A360 Drive website.  One uses a strictly view able file which cannot be downloaded and edited and the other method will place editable files on the website which can be downloaded by anyone you have invited to collaborate with your design on the A360 Drive website.  I will use the next article to review some of the options available on the A360 Drive website.