Automated Centerlines in Sheet Metal

[drguitarum2005]

Is there a reason a sheet metal "cut" isn't an option for the automated centerlines tool? Am I overlooking something? When I make holes in sheet metal parts, I draw the circle then "cut" it into the sheet metal. For some reason I can't find how to give those automatic centerlines on drawings. Any ideas?

[JDMather]

Use Hole Features or Punch features to do your "cuts".

[drguitarum2005]

I see that I can do that but if you ask me the "cut" feature in sheet metal is tons easier to make a simple circular hole. No need to sort through various options and hole styles that the hole tool has and no need to define a special punch to get a round hole. With the cut tool I just draw my circle in a sketch then hit cut and it's there. Seems silly there's not a button for "sheet metal cut" in the automated centerline tool...

[JDMather]

Cuts are not always circular, but non-circular Punches can be defined by a centerpoint.

Tables do not pick up Cuts, while they do pick up Holes and Punches.

If you have a limited standard holes that you use and you do a lot of this type of work - it might be worth making the Punches.

You might put in a request that circles are recognized as circles and therefore should be auto centermarked.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/idb-p/v1232

[drguitarum2005]

Thank you sir. I understand the issue that Autodesk has. Hopefully they can make it a feautre in future releases to where it recognizes a circular cut and can put a center mark. In the mean time I may make some standard punches for the 8-9 bolt hole sizes we typically use...

[JDMather]

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@drguitarum2005 wrote:

. In the mean time I may make some standard punches for the 8-9 bolt hole sizes we typically use...

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Actually, you only need one Punch.
You can make it such that you can enter the size on placement,

or you can set it the 9 sizes you use and select the proper size from list when placing.

2 minutes to create a Punch.

 Now I have it for all future parts.

[blair]

Try placing a "Center-Mark" at the center of your circular hole in the sketch before you extrude/cut your hole shape.