2D sketching with Inventor 2013 - initial view dimensions

[Anonymous]

I am using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2013 with 6th grade students to create basic 2D sketches.  The sketching interface always defaults to approx. 1.3 in x 0.6 in.  Is there a way to change these dimensions so they are larger so that my students can start with a reasonable design area?  They are designing wind turbine blades so we are interested in larger dimensions (somewhere around 10 inches in length). 

It is too tricky to zoom in and out to reset the sketching area; many students are struggling with it.  If they draw a curved segment and then resize it, the segment completely changes shape.  Perhaps I should take another approach?

[ampster401 · Accepted solution]

are your students using mice with a scroll wheel?  After starting a sketch simply roll the scroll wheel in or out to zoom in or out.

I'm not aware of any settings which dictate what the zoom scale is set to when starting sketches.  Over the yrs I've just gotten used to scrolling as needed.

[PaulMunford]

In your template file, go to - Tools, document settings and change the initial view extents to something bigger.

http://www.m2t.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/how-to-change-initial-view-extents-for-part-and-assembly-fil...

[Anonymous]

We are running Windows on MacBooks.  The mouse touchpads are very sensitive which is why the students are having difficulty controlling the zoom function.

[Anonymous]

I tried changing the initial view extents and this did not alter the axes dimensions upon opening a new file. 

Maybe I'm missing something...what is a template file?  I apologize but I do not have training using this software. 

[Anonymous]

Lucky enough mice with scroll wheels were available at my school and they are an excellent fix. There is much more control. Thanks!

[ampster401]

Paul,

That link you provided appears to describe how adjust the Initial View Extents which I believe only affects when you first open a file.  I do not believe that works to setup how large of a drawing surface is provided when you start a sketch, or does it?

For the OP, that link doesn't include one vital step and that is you have to physically open the template file and then make the changes that link states.

For ref though to determine where your templates are, in Inventor click on Tools > Application Options > Files tab and take note of where your Default templates are located.