Andrew In’t Veld
Designer
The skeleton approach may work for some companies, but not for all.
For example, we do not directly insert skeleton files into our assemblies, we only include skeleton file parameters by linking through the parameter table. One reason for this is because we use a breakaway skeleton method in which the skeleton file is removed once the project is completed. This evolved from problems of skeleton files accidentally be changed and inadvertently updating other projects due to copy design issues from Vault. Linking the skeletons to many parts and assemblies via the parameter table allows the parameter name and dimension to remain intact and convert to manual entry parameters when the skeleton file is detached. When the skeleton files were included directly in the assembly and we removed the skeleton file from the project unresolved reference errors occurred on multitudes of assemblies within the project.
Bottom line is that a lot of people are asking about this and it would be nice to be able to extrude a surface in an assembly as a work feature. In a large company where we deal with thousands of parts efficiency is a huge issue. It's not very efficient to have to create an extra file for those who don't need to. It also leaves the door open for one more element to fail if that skeleton gets deleted or corrupt as opposed simply including the surface data in the assembly file with the other work features such as planes and axis.
@Boorda wrote:
Bottom line is that a lot of people are asking about this....
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/idb-p/v1232
I agree with this comment. I had a large assembly and only wanted a small part of this to make an exploded presentation file to put in an instruction manual. The only way I knew to do that was to enclose a shape around the small part I wanted and delete the remainder of the assembly outside of this shape. If Inventor wants to remain relevant then things like this should not happen.
@jrspath1 wrote:
I agree with this comment. I had a large assembly and only wanted a small part of this to make an exploded presentation file
Hi jrspath1,
If I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like creating a View Representation in your assembly file first, and turning off all but the small part of the assembly you wanted to show in the exploded view, and then creating the Presentation file using that View Representation, would have been the best method.
In any case this discussion topic is quite old and originally discussed the ability to add material with an assembly level extrusion. Your post sounds like a different topic, so feel free to start a new discussion, and I'm sure someone will be able to assist.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com
The top-down design methodology, being best for working on an assembly, indicates that the parts are created directly from this environment by having one of the parts as reference.
So just create this new ipt and joint it where you want.