Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

I am making a copy design of a big file, two things I need to change manually which takes lots of time:

I need to change the status of files from Reuse to Copy, also I need to change the paths to the right ones as the paths that kick in by default when I change the main directory on the top are not right.

Is there a quick way of changing status of all the files to Copy, kinda shift and highlight or the way Vault renames files with Replace option?

With big assemblies connected with 10 drawing files doing it all by hand just can drive you crazy. 

[#2]

To change the status of many files at once, Ctrl + click on the file status icon (colored circle).  The way this works is that when you Ctrl + click on an assembly or drawing file, all children of that file will also be changed.  So if you want to change them all, find the top-level assembly (or drawing) and do it there.  Chances are this file is already set to Copy, so you will have to click it once to change it to Reuse, then do the Ctrl+click to change them all to Copy.

Unfortunately, this also changes the copy status of all library files as well, so you will have to manually change those back to Reuse.

[#3 · Accepted solution]

The way the folders work is kinda tricky to explain.  Have a look at the attached pdf for an explanation of how to control in to which folders the design is copied.

I have had to do a few copy designs of complex models with extensive folder structures, and, after making the best use of the Copy Design From and Copy Design To fields, I have found the find and replace options available for the Vault Folder column to be quite useful.

[#4]

Thanks, this helps a bit. The only thing, when I library parts change along with other parts in an assembly, I get an error pop up and cant change the status to reuse. Have to close the window and start all over again. Those small Vault things that make you feel good.

[#5]

This PDFexplains a lot.

[#6]

If I remember correctly, there is a hotfix or something for that error.  Can you post a screen image of the error so I can be sure it's the one I'm thinking of?

[#7]

Cant recreate this error, hopefully its was one time thing.

Anyways, you saved me lot of time.

I hope its ok if I share your Copy Design PDF with my co-workers?

Thanks again.

[#8]

---

cwhetten wrote:

Unfortunately, this also changes the copy status of all library files as well, so you will have to manually change those back to Reuse.

---

If you right-click on the top assembly, and select Reuse Library Files, they will change from Copy to Reuse.

[#9]

@ Infoseeker:  I don't mind if you share the pdf.  In fact, that pdf was just an excerpt from a more comprehensive guide.  I have attached the full document here, if you would like it.  Feel free to share this as well.

Edit:  I tried to post the PDF, but this forum has a rediculously low file size limit (1,572,864 bytes).  I'll see if I can split it up into pieces and post it later.

@ bstewart:  You.  Are.  AWESOME!  I wonder how long that option was there and I just had no idea?  Thanks for enlightening me!

[#10]

Here is the full document, split up into pieces.