Pack and Go

[SteveFrey]

When I copy an assembly using Pack and Go the newly copied assembly wants to change the original files when I modify them.  Is this supposed to happen?

[Anonymous]

Pack and go is simply for transfering files to another computer, or sending said files. if you have vault use design copy (right-click the desired master assembly within vault), being sure to set all parts as copy, not reuse, except library parts. Also rename them as desired. If you don't have vault try design assistant (in autocad folder) and I hear the icopy will work too, although have not used that personally.

Pack and go simply copies the files, keeping the original folder paths so any change to one part will update the originals as you have discovered.

[cbenner]

Can you describe the options you used in the Pack n Go?  Or show a screenshot of the dialog?  Sounds like you have something linked to the original assy.  I haven't used this for copying, I'll have to give it a try and see if I can duplicate your problem.

[SteveFrey]

See attached. 

[blair]

Are you sure, you don't mean, change from multi directories to a single directory? You have set one of the options to combine to a single directory.

[mrattray]

This is normal behavior. In addition to the other methods mentioned, you can also use different projects to force the assemblies to find and use the correct files. This is the method I sometimes use with very large assemblies.

[karthur1]

I use PnG all the time and it never does what you are saying in the OP.

Are you using the .ipj from the ...\Test folder in Inventor?  That would be the only way I could see this happening.

[mrattray]

I see this happen when I PnG an assembly from one location to another within the same project folder. If I open the assembly, and then do an in place edit or open the part using the assembly command, then I get the original part instead of the copy.

[karthur1]

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@mrattray wrote:
I see this happen when I PnG an assembly from one location to another within the same project folder.

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"Within the same project folder".... are you storing your PnG files under the path of project file?  If you are, then I could see how you are getting the original parts and not the copied ones.

When I do a PnG, I put the copied files outside of the project path. That way Inventor is not tempted to open the copied parts instead of the orginal. In order to work with the copied parts, I have to change to the .ipj that is in the folder that goes with the PnG parts.

[mrattray]

When I use PnG I put the files into a different project directory to avoid this problem, same as you. I'm suggesting that this may be the OP's issue.

[SteveFrey]

Yes, all within the same project folder.  I only use one project.  Backing up a little, I used to use the CopyDesign tool from the SDK without any problems.  It was simple and worked flawlessly.  Along came 2013 and it went down the tubes big time.  Autodesk couldn't figure out why it wasn't working any more.  I'm having problems with it again so I was seeking another way of copying and re-using my existing assemblies. 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Inventor/Best-Way-to-Copy-Frame-Generator-Assembly/td-p/31479...

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve.

i seem to be having the same problem with Pack and Go referencing the original file, regardless of where i copy the PnG. Did u end up finding a solution if i may ask.

I am on 2014 IV LT W8

Thanks in advance MatB

[karthur1]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi Steve.

i seem to be having the same problem with Pack and Go referencing the original file, regardless of where i copy the PnG. Did u end up finding a solution if i may ask.

I am on 2014 IV LT W8

Thanks in advance MatB

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"Regardless of where I copy the PnG"....... I don't see how that can be. If you copy the files to a folder that is outside the project path, Inventor will not use them instead of your original files. Can you show some screen shots of what you have?

Kirk

[brian.cranston]

Browse to the PnG target directory and load the Project file generated by the PnG process. If you don't change projects you're bound to pick up the original files when you load the PnG files.  I just did a quick test that exhibited this behavior.  The assembly was in the PnG directory but the parts came from the original project.

-Brian

[Anonymous]

Hi karthur1

My 'Manage Option' is greyed out in the Inventor Start Menu. (Within
Autodesk Inventor LT, select - Manage - Projects )

The closest I come to changing the project path is thru 'Application Options
- File - Work Path'. . where I can change the
'%PUBLICDOCUMENTS%\Autodesk\Inventor LT 2014\Workspace\'.

Sounds like there is no substitute for Vault I guess. I was hoping for a
workaround to get me thru till I was certain my Skate Ramp designs were
viable.

I have contacted my Local Retailer to see what is available for LT.

Thanks for the response karthur1

Kind Regards : MatB

[blair]

Inventor will always honor the "Project File", so even if you navigate with Windows Explorer to a directory that you have copied your Pack-and-Go files to. When you open the IAM file it will still open the related files back in the directory that the is controlled by your active Project File. You would need to create a new Project file to point to your P&G directory.

You could try using the "Default" project file that doesn't point to any directory. You would still need to open Inventor and select this Project as the active project.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Blair

. . but I think the problem is that I have IV LT, bc I have no access to the
Manage Option and have found no way to alter the 'Projects'. . I had IV 2008
with Vault, but see nothing like the same dialogue boxes I use to create and
alter projects in.



The closest I come to changing the project path is thru 'Application Options
- File - Work Path'. . where I can change the
'%PUBLICDOCUMENTS%\Autodesk\Inventor LT 2014\Workspace\'.

Should I change this path to work on the P&G files



Thanks : MatB

[karthur1]

I am not fimiliar with IV LT.  I was not aware that it did not use a project file like Inventor.

Try changing the path in the app options and see if that works.

[blair]

It looks like I missed the LT part of the post. I assume that It still must have some for of Project to allow you to direct InventorLT to which directory you want to use for your parts and drawings.

If you don't have the double folder for Projects, then I would edit the Work Path.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the correspondence



. . there is no substitute for the real thing. . Design Suit here I come



Kind Regards : MatB