Re-Use of virtual components

[cadsupport]

Hi there,

I don't know it this better posted under Vault or Inventor topics.

In Inventor you can use "virtual components" in assemblies for things like paint, oil etc. In Vault, these virtual components will get an item number. Is it possible to re-use a virtual component in another assembly?

Like the same paint for 2 different models (maybe just differing in amount). Right now I would have to create a lot of items for the same thing.

[mpatchus · Accepted solution]

Our solution to this situation is to create an blank assembly for each virtual component (the virtual component being the only item in the assembly).  In our case, the assembly gets saved as the item's stock number.

These are stored in our library and can be inserted into assebmlies as needed without having to recreate the virtual component each time.

It also allows us to utilize Vault to see where the virtual components are used.

See the attached example.

[PaulMunford]

...Or you could try this iLogic routine from Curtis Waguespack:

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/ilogic-virtual-components.html

[mcgyvr]

I do the same as mpatchus. Just have a "container" iam file and I create all my virtual components in there then simply copy/paste from that iam when needed.

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Hi cadsupport,

I think this is the iLogic link that Paul intended to share:

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/ilogic-add-standard-virtual-parts-from.html

Also there is an IdeaStation idea at this link for a Virtual Component Library. You might give it a vote:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/Virtual-Component-LIbrary/idi-p/3692736

And here is a similar idea. I posted my workflow for using templates as the container file in the comments as well:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/Inventor-virtual-part-placable-inside-ipt-and-iam...

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

[mcgyvr]

Cool virtual parts/ilogic stuff there Curtis.. 

I'm gonna use that instead of my container iam file..

I like that better.

Thanks

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Thanks mcgyvr,

I decided to revisit this today, and have created an alternative rule that reads from an XLS file allowing us to populate the virtual components with iProperty information found in the spreadsheet:

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com/2013/07/ilogic-add-standard-virtual-parts-from_29.html

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

[Baishihu · Accepted solution]

You may try to use an Add-in program: add virtual part

https://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/INVNTOR/en/Detail/HelpDoc?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com:virtu...

I hope this is helpful,

Baishihu

[jpchaisson]

Curtis,

i know this is an old post, but do you think you could convert your code to VB in looking to do something simular but as a addin inventor.

thanks,

Jeremy

[Maxim-CADman77]

In context of using Vault Professional Items our company made a decision to avoid virtuals components completely.
Now I'm trying to invent the optimal way to escape virtuals while keep using Cable & Harness Add-In functionality.

For those interested in discussing this - you are welcome to my new thread - trick-to-marry-cable-amp-harness-virtual-components-with-items