topic Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch in Inventor Forum

Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

Manuelcamposcosta — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 09:19:45 GMT

Guys when I do a contour flange and after add a line do the profile the contour flange sometimes it makes the thickness to the other side, in my opinion this shouldn't happen, it f** up my constrains and the following features we could have on that part.

Am I doing anything wrong is there any workaround? I know I can flip the side in the contour flange command, but that will break all other stuff because the faces will change.

Attached is a file (Inv2021) and if you add the 10 mm line that is not in use by the contour you will notice that with the same setting of side in contour command, the thickness will flip to the other side.

HELP!!!

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

Manuelcamposcosta — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 09:24:35 GMT

Guys sorry but at least in this part I found a workaround the behaviour dependes on which lines you select to select the entire profile, if you select the new line 10 mm the thickness will change side, but if you select the for example the bottom line the thickness will remain to the same side.

Anyway, I think it shouldn't work this way!

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

johnsonshiue — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 20:55:45 GMT

Hi Manuel,

I think this is a bug. I am able to reproduce it on 2016. I will work with the project team to understand it better and see how we can fix it safely.

Many thanks!

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

Manuelcamposcosta — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 09:41:24 GMT

Nice, anyway I found that if I selected any of the already in use lines the profile would stay in the same direction.

I'm on 2021 as you know.

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

johnsonshiue — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:36:44 GMT

Hi Manuel,

Now I vaguely remember this was discussed before. But, I forgot when it was with whom. Anyway, I just got confirmation from the project team that this was a limitation unfortunately. Adding or removing line segment is considered topological change. When there is such change, the direction is reset to default. I am sorry to inform you that there isn't a good solution. Please feel free to mark my reply as Not a Solution.

Many thanks!

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

Manuelcamposcosta — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 09:20:07 GMT

My suggestion would be based on sketch system coordinate definition, anyway I will leave my workaround from what I found to work for me, hope I don't forget the next time this happens to me.

I only confirm that it that part example different line selection gave me different results, don't know if happens the same way with all parts.

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

jaredpYTYMN — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:24:59 GMT

Good afternoon, i am running into this issue years later. Any update on a fix? If i add to the flange as shown below, it flips A side and breaks upper level assemblies. Also breaks all hole features and cuts in the part file itself.

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

johnsonshiue — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:24:14 GMT

Hi Jared,

I am very sorry that I lost track. If possible, please share the file here or send it to me directly at johnson.shiue@autodesk.com. I would like to understand the flipping side behavior better.

Many thanks!

Re: Contour flange flips side when modify sketch

rosie_lucas1 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:25:33 GMT

Hi @jaredpYTYMN,

I wanted to check in and see if you still needed assistance, or if you found a solution to your question already? Let us know if you need further assistance by providing an update or if you have found a solution, please share it with the community so other members who may have the same question could learn from your experience.

All the best,

Rosie| Community Manager