Frame Generated Member Cuts - Best Practice?

[grobbarg]

Hi All,

Just wondering what everyone's favourite method of cutting frame generated members in an assembly is? i.e. cutting/extending to a non-FG member, curved surface or an FG member from a sub assembly.

We all know about the notch command and the trim/extend command (which doesn't work for curved surfaces - why not Autodesk?).

How about split and sculpt? Does anybody have any issues with the copied object surface showing up in drawing assemblies and the associated drawing? And do you have adaptivity problems with the cut after a couple days?

Recently some users have been having this issue with unwanted objects showing up in drawings, the copy object cutting surfaces have been made invisible at the part (FG member) level, however now seem to be showing up in the drawing assembly iam and drawing.

Additionally when the cut is first made it seems to be adaptive if the sketch controlling the object cutting plane is modified, however some time later after working on the model it will not update, unless you redefine the surface in the part.

Is there a setting we're missing or some workflow of using representations when placing assemblies into the drawing assembly? Or a better way altogether for cutting members?

TIA for any thoughts....

Product Design Suite Ultimate 2014

Windows 7 64 bit

[innovatenate]

I believe this is a known limitation in the trim/extend tool for Inventor Frame Generator. There are suggestions for a work around solution using copy object (which it sounds like you are familiar with). 

You may consider adding kudos to posts in the Inventor Idea Station to let the product management team know which enhancements are most important to you. See the similar suggestions I've found, in the below links.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideastation/frame-generator-trim-extend-command/idi-p/4546251

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideastation/angle-notch-coping/idi-p/5313067

You may also consider adding your own suggestions to the IdeaStation. Feel free to post a link back here. I'll add a kudos! 

When inserting the views in a drawing, are they inserted with a linked View Representation or as the Master View Representation?

A Master View Representation may show the copied object - surfaces.

I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

[grobbarg]

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for your reply,

When we create drawings the views are taken from specific view reps created in the drawing assembly to give the views we want.

The link is always checked on.

I did wonder if it was a representation setting at the drawing assembly level of the relevant placed assembly - these are usually default in the main assembly, but come in as master in the DA - i.e. in the DA if you right click on the assembly for 'representation' in the model tree, the assembly is marked as master, it can be changed to default though.

I have lots of suggestions! Breaking dimension extension lines is high up there in the wish list also, but that's another subject....