I am looking for text-book references to, or tutorial material on, Inventor Construction Lines.
After three days I have drawn a blank (no pun intended).
Can somebody help?
Thanks
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by JDMather. Go to Solution.
Hi!
Most of times, we don't need to use construction lines, you csan use constrains (geometric and dimensional).
In inventor the approach is slightly different than in Autocad.
What you are trying to achieve?
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Most of the time, I use construction lines whether they are stictly needed or not.
I use a lot of construction lines (even when not really needed).
I use more construction lines now than I ever did using AutoCAD.
I started out on the drawing board where construction lines were used.
I don't understand how a construction line can be confusing, in fact, I use to reduce confusion.
If I have two circles that have a horizontal relationship, centered about the origin, I -
1. create a construction line in space
2. add a coincident contraint to the midpoint of the construcion line and the origin
3. add the two circles, dimension one and make the other equal to the first
I could do this with horizontal contraint between centers and mirror or symmetry, but the constrution line give obvious visual indication of the design intent, so a year from now if I edit the part it is obvious rather how it was constructed.
A second case - frequent use of rectangular hole layout.
1. create (construction line) rectangle
2. window select and toggle endpoints to centerpoints
3. create holes
A third case - rectangular part
1. the centerpoint rectangle tool automatically creates two construction lines for me
If I fillet or otherwise change the length of the lines - the apparent intersection is preserved.
I posted an example in this thread
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-General/Anchoring-drawings-to-Origin/m-p/4974652#M505635
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel
@Anonymous wrote:Most of the time, I use construction lines whether they are stictly needed or not.
I use a lot of construction lines (even when not really needed).
I use more construction lines now than I ever did using AutoCAD.
I started out on the drawing board where construction lines were used.
I don't understand how a construction line can be confusing, in fact, I use to reduce confusion.
If I have two circles that have a horizontal relationship, centered about the origin, I -
1. create a construction line in space
2. add a coincident contraint to the midpoint of the construcion line and the origin
3. add the two circles, dimension one and make the other equal to the first
I could do this with horizontal contraint between centers and mirror or symmetry, but the constrution line give obvious visual indication of the design intent, so a year from now if I edit the part it is obvious rather how it was constructed.
A second case - frequent use of rectangular hole layout.
1. create (construction line) rectangle
2. window select and toggle endpoints to centerpoints
3. create holes
A third case - rectangular part
1. the centerpoint rectangle tool automatically creates two construction lines for me
If I fillet or otherwise change the length of the lines - the apparent intersection is preserved.
I posted an example in this thread
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-General/Anchoring-drawings-to-Origin/m-p/4974652#M505635
Exactly!!!!
Looks like I need to run spell check.
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel
Hi! The general rule of thumb is that if a line or a curve does not need to be part of a profile (consumed by a sketch-based feature like Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft, and others), the line or the curve should be construction line. Otherwise, a construction line operates the same as a solid line. It does participate in sketch constraint solving and its vertices are valid to construct more geometry.
To better understand how construction line works, I suggest you take a look at any reference material discussing Sketch Profile. Then, you might understand when and how to leverage construction line better.
Thanks!
You forgot to attach your attempt here.
It is almost always better to pattern feature rather than pattern sketch.
Edit Sketch1 and Sketch2 to see how I used Construction Lines for this design.
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel
It was a general question which rose out of an attempt which got nowhere.
I will be very interested at the way you did your model.
Thanks, as ever.
The image to the right is pattern of sketch (rather than pattern feature).
With Sketch Constraints visible - it is rather obvious why it is better to pattern a simple feature rather than the two lines of the tooth of this ratchet. Inventor would have to solve all of those constraints.
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel
Hello Johnson,
How do I import construction lines into an Autodesk Inventor drawing (.idw)? I'm able to import sketch dimensions but don't see how to import associated construction lines.
thanks,
Jeff Jensen
Drill down to the part in the view and Right Mouse Button.
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel
Great job on this JDMather, thanks.
Just a side question, how do I change the linetype to the dashed line type? When I import the construction lines in the Inventor Drawing, lines are continuous.
thanks again,
Jeff Jensen
Click on the lines (or Ctrl Click or Window or Crossing Window select) and change the layer or right click and change the Properties.
The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel