Answer all depends on which version of IV you are using. Starting in 2010 you can put formulas in your custom properties.
msk
Creating a custom property would mean I have to add another column to my parts list to display the square footage. I want the square footage to show up in the quantity column like parts with lbmass, each, inch, etc... Ft^2 is a unit of measure and should be visible in the bill of materials base quantity and base unit selection. I love Inventor and it's capabilites but this is something simple that is frustrating. I guess I will continue calculating the old fashion way since I have to manually enter it into our vault program anyway. I just hope they recognize that all units of measure are needed and should be available in the base units before I get the company I work for to make the full transition to Inventor.
I think you'll need to create a custom parameter that multiplies the 2 dimensions and then use the Substitution option in the Parts List to swap the custom parameter for the QTY when it is present.
Set up the Parameter in your IPT template and the parts list substitution in the IDW template and then you should be good to go.
Thanks BMiller63. That makes more sense to me. I'll give it a shot when I get some free time.
I still think that all units of measure should be available to select from rather than doing a work around.
Yes, you are right. But you can add the material (callout) as pulled, from the properties tab and add it to a column with it's dim's (W x L x thk) so why can't you take the area from the properties tab and add it to a column.
MSK
@msklein wrote:so why can't you take the area from the properties tab and add it to a column.
you can but it would require another column in the Parts list. I think the Goal is to have a Parts list with one QTY column, where parts with Length qtys (steel tube, etc) list by length and sheet metal parts list by area.
But in looking at the substitution option I suggested, I don't think that's the solution I thought it was.
I think the goal is something like this:
Item | QTY | Part# | Descr |
1 | 12 in. | 777 | Steel Tube |
2 | 6 in^2 | 888 | Sheet Metal |
BMiller, You are correct. That is the goal. I think your answer might work. I have not had a chance to try it but I glanced at my parts list to see what you were talking about. I think it could work. I will try it tonight and post the results.
How about a new column called Description and have the real Description field and the area field feed into it. Sounds like this would give the required results if it works.
msk
never mind
BMiller63, I think your suggestion is going to work. I created a parameter called area for a fiberglass sheet. I then opened my standard.idw and used the substitution to replace the qty with the area property when it exists. I then tested it by placing 12 x 24 sheet into an assembly and created an .idw. Although it does not show the units, it does display the proper sqft of fiberglass sheet. I think I will create a property called UOM and add a column the will show the units. This is the way I initially wanted to do it anyway.
Thank for your help BMiller63 and MSK.
I am back to this issue only now I am using IV 2012. The company is finally looking to integrate IV with Vault Management software which means that some of my work arounds will become an issue. Everything looks great in my parts list but if I open my Bill of Materials, my work around column called "TOTAL_MATL" only gives the total material for 1 piece and not the sum of multiple pieces. For example, if I have 2 pieces of steel bar that weight 2.00 lbs each, I get a return of 2.00 lbs. I need it to return the 2.00 lbs X 2 pieces or 4.00 lbs. The standard QTY column does this. Does anyone know how I can make my custom "TOTAL_MATL" column do this?
Thanks
I forgot to mention before someone says something, that steel bar isn't the real issue because I know the quantity column can be used instead of my custom column. But I had to add this for materials that have units of ft^2 or other units that Inventor does not let you select when setting your Base Quantity and Base Unit.
Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the community or share your knowledge.