Autodesk Inventor

[#1 · Accepted solution]

Hi Scott,

About the first question, if you have followed, for instance, the steps from the article below for publishing your custom frame, the column Stock Number should be already available in the Family Table.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=12193815&linkID=9242016

So, if you want to add it to the expression of another column, you should be able to select it from the list, as in the image below.

By the way, the key point for getting the frame length in the property is to start the expression with “=” and include in the expression “<G_L>”.

The Stock Number in my post it was just an example.

About the second question, you can read in the post below how to define the Description column.

http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2012/01/part-number-and-description-always-in-sync...

Of course, if you want to display the frame length in the Description, you need, once again start the expression with “=” and include in the expression “<G_L>”, like in the other post.

I’m not sure I’ve understood the third question, but if you are talking about the number "3842992425", you can disregard it. This was a specific requirement of that user.

Instead, if you meant something different, please, provide me more details.

About the last question, the parameter <G_L> has to be written manually, as you can see in the video of the post (http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2012/04/include-the-length-from-the-steel-shape-pr... ).

If you didn’t watch it yet, please, do it.

After you have done that, inserting the frame published (once again) following the steps of the article http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=12193815&linkID=9242016 , the parameter G_L with its value will be generated in the file and the value displayed in the property.

I hope I’ve clarified your doubts.

If not, please, let me know.

Kind regards,

Ale

[#2]

The workflow Ale provided is the right approach.

Here are something based on my understanding may be helpful.

1. The expression starting with “=” and including parameter like <XXX> stands for a reference to model iProperties.

2. The expression including column name like this {G_L} stands for a reference to Content Center family table parameter.

3. If you’re only handling Part Number, you can directly refer the family table parameter, like {G_L}, whatever the name mapped to Base Length.

4. If you’re handling Description, you may need use the expression start with “=” and use model iProperties, i.e. <XXX>

Thanks,

Nicolas

[#3]

Nicolas,

Thank you very much for this info.  This is very useful in understanding what all of this coding actually means.

It does get confusing at times trying to remember and figure out what sequence and what characters need to go where.

[#4]

Ale,

This was awesome material you provided and I can't thank you enough!!!

I got this to work with my description perfectly in both the inserted version and the frame generator version.

I do need to republish the part though to get these size designations to show up as the material callouts.

I think based on what you have given me it looks to be the stock number property from the part that needs to be

incorporated into the published part in order to be included in the code equations.

 

[#5 · Accepted solution]

Hi Scott,

I’m glad I could be helpful.

About your last question, I don’t think you need to republish the frame.

For the custom frames in the Size drop-down menu you should see the values of the column you have defined in the family table as column key.

So, you just need to edit the Family Table and define as keys the columns you need for displaying their values in the Size drop-down menu.

I hope it helps.

Kind regards,

Ale

[#6]

Thanks again Ale.

I got some success based on what you said.

But, I already had the material in the keys to begin with.  So why does adding the member to the key list

work only after that and why doesn't it allow the material to be shown?

[#7]

Hi Scott,

The material does not display in the Size drop-down menu, even if selected as key column, because the one in the cell corresponding to the size selected it displays anyway as default one in the Material drop-down menu below (Carbon Steel in your image).

I hope it makes sense for you.

Kind regards,

Ale

[#8]

Hi Ale,

That makes sense.

What I did was just create an extra column in the family table and set the values to be the materials I needed.

I made that a key column and now that shows up in the "Size" selection within the frame generator.

The correct material is being selected as far as the physical properties go as well.

Thank you so much for your help. 

[#9]

You are welcome and nice trick for getting the material in the Size menu, by the way.

Kind regards,

Ale

[#10]

Ale,

Thanks.

I have another question.  Is there a way to controll the amount of decimal places in the length that

show up in the description.