How do I copy an extrusion?

[Suurmeijer1999]

In school I sort of got the hang of inventor so I thought let's make a drawing for a hobby project. So im drawing this bridge thing and i want to add beam to the side to support it. I thought I just sketch one and extrude it and than copy and place the same thing a few times and than mirror it and repeat on the other side. But somehow I just can't get it to allign it the way it should... Can somebody help me psl.

greetz

Tim

[JDMather]

It sounds like a Pattern feature or Pattern Component to me.

Can you attach your file(s) here?

[blair]

Post (include IPT and IAM files) for what you have do so far, also include what version of Inventor you are on.

You might consider using a IAM Assembly file and using Frame Generator for your members.

[PaulMunford]

To Copy an Extrusion, select it in the feature browser with a left click, then right click and choose 'copy'.

Now select on a face of your existing model with a left click, then right click and choose 'paste'.

There is probably a better way to build your component though. Show us where you got to so fa and we can give you further advice.

[K_Baker_89]

Hi Suurrmeijer1999,

It sounds to me as though it would be worth experimenting with "Rectangular Pattern", "Circular Pattern" or "Mirror" features.

Cheers,

Kurt

[Suurmeijer1999]

Here is what i got so far. I'm using inventor professional 2018 btw. I also included a screenshot of what i want to coppy. I want to copy and paste that little beam in the circle a couple of times to place it to the left and right of the existing one.

greetz

Tim

[blair · Accepted solution]

Thanks, I used the Pattern Feature common to pattern using the "Mirror" option. I would be using the IAM Assembly method or Solid Body modeling to allow for the Webm Flanges and diagonal bracing to be separate IPT part items.

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

Hello @Suurmeijer1999 I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

The issue you are having is that you are working in the part (.ipt) environment where copying and pasting isn't the desired workflow. Mirror or pattern the feature is what you're looking to do.

If you want to copy and paste parts, you want to work in the assembly (.iam) environment. But then you have to constrain each new part together.

I would suggest going through the built in tutorials to get better familiar with how this works.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Another technique you could consider is to make the Extrusion6 as a separate solid body. The nice thing about it is that you can mirror or pattern the body as disjoint lumps or separate bodies. Then you can use Direct Edit to relocate them however you like. Once you are happy with the positioning, you can join them back as one solid body using Combine command. This will eliminate the need to copy the sketch or the feature. They will all be driven by the same sketch.

Many thanks!

[Suurmeijer1999]

Thnx for the help guys. I'll think I can make progress with this. If not you'll hear from me again.

greetz,

Tim