Dimension to Theoretical Intersection

[AceRimmer]

I read countless posts on this subject and I had a MarterGraphics tech try it over VNC and he could not make it work. So what makes the picks work? The right click resets the dim so you can't really pick the intersection. At random you can get two lines to work but the intersection between an arc and a line seems not possible. This is a bona fide  bug. Right? I have read posts that go back 5 or more years. Will they ever fix it? If they did fix it. What version does it work. I have 2011 and it don't work. Can I revert back to a version before they broke it?

[SBix26 · Accepted solution]

Great illustration-- can you add that as a comment with my IdeaStation post?

Sam B
Inventor 2012 Certified Professional

Inventor Professional 2015 Update 2
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1
HP EliteBook 8770w; 8 GB RAM; Core™ i7-3720QM 2.60 GHz; Quadro K4000M

[IgorMir]

Thanks, Sam.

I couldn't see line "B" as an arc. I have taken it as a straight line...

Cheers,

Igor.

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@sbixler wrote:

Igor, I think Julian's problem is the same as the original poster-- he's trying to dimension to the apparent intersection of a line and an arc (the element in his image designated 'B' is an arc with a long radius).

Sam B
Inventor 2012 Certified Professional

Inventor Professional 2015 Update 2
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1
HP EliteBook 8770w; 8 GB RAM; Core™ i7-3720QM 2.60 GHz; Quadro K4000M

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[acad-caveman]

I really hate to sound like a broken record, but perhaps it would be beneficial to all of us

if the developers take a look at AutoCAD, and just plain vanilla make all SNAP options available there

also available in Inventor.

That's it.

Here is another link to Ideastation with similar wishlist:  http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/Inventor-Sketch-Improve-Point-Snaps/idc-p/4443893...

[isabel.gruenhagen]

cbenner's answer worked perfectly for me--unless you are not looking for the intersection of two lines that fall tangent to a curve?  It only worked when I selected two lines tangent to one curve, and then two more lines tangent to the other curve.  In Solidworks I would dimension to the theoretical intersection by placing a point at each intersection point, then selecting the point and the two lines it should intersect and setting an intersection constraint.  Do that twice, then dimension between the two points.  Inventor seems to be doing this all-in-one.  Not exactly intuitive, but for once I am rather pleased with Inventor.

[SBix26]

The dimension to virtual intersection works well as long as the intersecting elements are both lines.  What this thread is discussing, though, is the need for that functionality to extend to arcs.  And this allows me an opening to solicit votes for this IdeaStation post -- please jump over there and cast a vote for this.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2016 R3 SP1 Update 1
Vault Basic 2016 SP1
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1

[JimmyDoe]

I thought this wasn't an option. Thank you and a kudo!

[gsmithF2E6C]

Firstly, you should not have to do this.  Especially when it substitutes for a feature supposed to be available in the software.  (Interestingly AutoDesk's example is a series of static screen shots.  I guess they could not get it to work either.)

Secondly, I have models with a myriad of workpoints which are required to build complex geometry and which I do not want to be shown on drawings. 

[gsmithF2E6C]

I just had another attempt to do this and it all worked. There seems to be a crucial step which is not emphasised anywhere I have seen.

For the first point, select the first edge or axis, then MOVE THE CURSOR AWAY from the selection point.  Right click and select "intersection" then select the second edge.

Now for the second point, select the first edge or axis, then MOVE THE CURSOR AWAY from the selection point.  Right click and select "intersection" then select the second edge.

The step in capitals seems to be crucial - looks like voodoo science but it seems to work.  I have only tried it for straight edges thus far.

[bobludwig1960]

Your info has been helpful on more then one occasion, thank you!