Importing a Sketch into an existing sketch.

[smiz]

Hello CAD users, and thanks in advance efor any input.

I am working on a project now where I am trying to  insert a previous sketch (hopefully from a populated library) into my current sketch. This is not just a simple copy and paste, I need to create a library of different sketched parts to insert into my models sketchs. My problem is I don't know if this is possible. I know in autoCAD you can create a block and insert it, which is essential what I want to do in an inventor sketch. The only thing that seems to work is create each of these sketchs I need as an individual model, and insert the entire model in an assembly or new solid. This application will not work for me as I need it in the sketch. Any help or suggesetions would be greatly appreciated. 

Edit: I'm running Autodesk Inventor 2011

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Hi smiz,

You can create Sketch Blocks in your part file that will work very similar to AutoCAD blocks. If you create these in a part template, they'll be there waiting for you when you need them:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2011/ENU/?caas=caas/vhelp/help-dev-autodesk-com/v/Inventor/enu...

http://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/Blogs/Blog.aspx?ScoId=9773683e-d265-491b-93b7-a9cc07ebad06

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[smiz]

Thanks so much curtis that is exactly what im looking for. The only problem I have now is, is there a way to have these blocks located in a shared library? If you have to load each block into every template, that will not only be very time consuming but will be a nightmare for rev control. I would essentially have to reload every time we update the part. Again thanks for any answers!

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi smiz,

Unfortunately, there isn't really a "block library" option, but you could try this:

Place all of the sketch blocks in a single sketch block "library" part file, and then use the Derive tool place the sketch blocks into any parts that needs them. This way the "library" part is the only place where changes to the sketch block are made.

Some related links:

http://inthemachine-autodesk.typepad.com/blog/2010/09/other-uses-for-sketch-blocks.html

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2014/ENU/?guid=GUID-56721E62-9DAF-47C5-AE28-CF61275EDC88

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2014/ENU/?guid=GUID-461027E3-6BF6-4235-8B2E-D0CC2DFFA629

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2014/ENU/?guid=GUID-F9D31665-3ED8-494B-A3C5-22A30CB6A5CA

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com