frame generator copy

[dloganbill]

Is there a way to copy a frame created using frame generator and slightly edit it without messing up the original? I've been looking into it and in one post someone mentioned using designcopy.exe. I'm not sure if that is what I want to do or not, though. The frame is inside a library with hundreds of other frames that are all in the same folder. If I use the designcopy.exe, won't it copy everything inside that folder? Is there a simple way to "save as" so that it will create a new frame skeleton and frame members that aren't associated with the original? If not, AD needs to get on that.

[dloganbill]

FYI, I'm using IV 2011 SP1 and Win7 x64

[dloganbill]

I guess I could do a "pack and go" on the frame assembly. Is there a better work around?

[RobJV]

Copy Design in Vault works fine for this.  (You would pick the parent assembly.)  I think there is a non-vault copy design as well but I do not have experience with it.  (Just ensure not to select all the related documents, only children.)

[pauldoubet]

You can use Design Assistant to do this, however using DA is a love/hate kinda deal. It works IF you don't miss any of the steps you need to create a completely unlinked set of asm & ipt files. You must access the DA with all the files closed in Inventor. Use a Windows Explorer window to locate the file and highlight the assembly filename, then right click the mouse and select DA from the popup menu. Its not very intuitive to use DA so you have to study the options, select the Manage icon, highlighting all files, right click, etc.

Hope this helps, Paul

[dloganbill]

Unfortunately, I'm not using Vault. The copydesign.exe I found was in this location: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2011\SDK\UserTools\CopyDesign\Bin It doesn't seem to allow me to pick just an assembly, but instead asks for "Directory path of existing design." When I browse, it only shows folders and no files. Then it has a text box for the "name of new design" and an option to add a prefix.

[BMiller63]

I think the Copy Design in the User Tools SDK copies only files linked to the IDW not all files in the directory. But the IDW is required to be in the directory with the other files. If I were you I'd make a small test frame and test that though.

Also I think if you use Pack and Go you will be able to do this, but then you'll need to work through the renaming process, because P&G only copies but does not rename.

Last time I did this (it's been a while) I:

• copied the files using the Copy tool in the Assembly environ,.

• set it to open in new window,
• then saved and closed both the new and the original,
• then renamed the new skeleton file(s)'s name(s)
• then set the skeleton file(s)'s name(s) from Original_Name.ipt to x_Original_Name.ipt
• then opened the new assembly and when Inventor prompted me that it couldn't find the original file(s), I pointed it to the new file(s)
• then I saved the new assembly.
• then I named the original files back to their original names (removed the x_)

Sounds more complicated than it is, you're just fooling Inventor by renaming the references files for a bit.

If I'm not mistaken there are 2 files that you need to be concerned with for FG, the original skeleton file that you create and the one that Inventor creates.

Again, take the time to create a simple frame to test all of this so you can understand it and then it's not that big of a deal.

But FWIW, I agree that AD needs to provide better tools for this. This is another example of where a tool is not complete.

[BMiller63]

Paul, I thought I tried this in the past and DA didn't know how to handle part of the skeleton, maybe I missed something?

[pauldoubet]

I am sure it worked in 2009, I do recall it being a little tricky to get everything as required. Like some other 'Features' that used to work this may not work on newer versions.

Paul

[RobJV]

If it is not proprietary, why not pack n go on the parent assembly and send it here.  I will load into vault, perform a copy design and rename everything with a (2) or something similar and send back to you.

Rob

[nstevelmans]

hello you can try use the Ilogic copy design it comes white the advantage pack 2011
You do not need vault to use this

[MariaManuela]

Yes, the Copy Design tool its a great idea but seems crazy...sometimes work..sometimes not.

I have the same problem and the same need as you, I want copy steel frame assemblies to a new project and apply a new name easily and quickly

Pack and Go and then Design Assistant are not very smart.

[dloganbill]

So I've tried a few different ways, and I've come to the conclusion that they are all very clunky and show that Autodesk really hasn't thought this out from start to finish. I'm curious to know what an AD rep has to say on the topic. What is their official way to copy a frame? It seems like it should be very easy to implement. Add a button to the Design>Frame menu that opens a copy frame dialogue box. Give some options of where to store the new frame and what the new frame sketch should be named. Is this something they could push out in the next service pack, or must we put up with this half baked until they push out 2012? I work with frames nearly everyday, and I love the simplicity of the frame generator and especially the new frame analysis. But I've always wondered when they would address the copy issue. I've always had my own clunky way to do it, but it looks like everyone else's way is just as bad. Autodesk----get with it! Ok. I'm done venting now.

[MariaManuela]

Hi Steve,

I already install the 2011 Advantage Pack and i can not find the iLogic Copy Design tool.

Where is it?

Thanks

MM

[nstevelmans]

hello,

 Do not start any drawing,

then go to Tools. it is a little bit Hidden

[MariaManuela]

Ok...ok... i was looking inside iLogic Panel.

Cool. Thanks again!

MM

[todd_cannon]

For anyone who is interested. I've been waiting 2 weeks for IT to decide whether they will install Copy Design tool for me so, I have been trying to copy the Frame Generator model using the Design Assistant. While I agree it is not very intuitive, I have been able to copy and update the links between the copy and all files including the skeleton.

The work flow I have been using is to copy the assembly containing the frame members to a new location, including the folder created by FG with the Frame subfolder containing it's members. Open Design Assistant by RMB on the new assembly in Windows explorer and select Design Assistant. When the assembly opens select all frame members. Go to the frame members "action" column and RMB to select replace. Then in the subfolder column, RMB and change the path to show the new location of the copied files. Select Save and DA will update and check the files. There is one small glitch with the frame001.skeleton001 file. It will not link to the new location with this step because of a database sharing issue, I think.

To copy the skeleton file, go back to windows explorer and delete the skeleton file from the new assembly frame folder. Now you can go back to DA and select the skeleton file "action" column, but this time select copy. Now under the skeleton's subfolder column, RMB and select the path to the new folder for the copied frame generator model. Select Save again. DA will then copy the skeleton correctly.

I know this sounds complicated, maybe I've made it so, but it does work. Feel free to ask for any clarification.

Todd

[RobJV]

I am guessing you are using ADMS.  Very short jump to installling vault just for this even.  (Simply perform the copy design in vault and check out new assembly.  Switch back to non-vault project and continue.)  Another method to consider - much simpler than using DA in my opinion.  (Of course it requires admin rights to install though.)

Rob