I have been using Inventor to automate models and assemblies for quite a while, but I find it very difficult to automate drawings. Below is my wish list that could help address this.
1. Have the option of useing the parameters table within the drawing environment. Just like the parameters table in the part and assembly files, be able to link to excel or other ipt or iam files. When creating a dimension in a sketch in a drawing, I would like to see the option of "list parameters".
2. Have groups of dimensions (layers) in drawings that can be suppressed according to parameters. If I have a feature in 1 part that is not in a very similar part, it can suppress the dimensions instead of turning them pink. I imagine this could be similar to the feature properties in an ipt.
3. iLogic- better integration of multi-bodied parts. Getting the volume and surface area of a certain body is not impossible, but it is very difficult.
4. Better documentation on iLogic. It is a powerfull tool, but it is difficult to find support materials for more advanced problems. I don't even know where I can find a list of possible commands.
5. Tsplines in Inventor. The Product Design suite has 3ds Max and Inventor... Tsplines would be a great addition.
6. Better surfacing tools. The more functionality that is added for surfacing, the easier my job becomes. Being able to seamlessly switch between solid and surface is great, but a lot of work is repeated because surface modelling does not have the same functionality as solid modelling. Why can't I extrude a hole in a surface?
If you need any clarification on any of these points, feel free to contact me. alleman (at) thunderheaddesign.net
Thanks,
Thomas