topic Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option in Inventor Forum

Thicken doesn't show subtract option

SharkDesign — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 09:19:11 GMT

Anybody know why the subtract option isn't available?

The first time I launch the thicken command, all the options are greyed out, but once I choose quilt and switch back to face they are all suddenly available.

The second time I launch the tool subtract is available.

Video:

Screencast will be displayed here after you click Post.

7ea358c9-524e-4eb0-82b2-91617fa8a615

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

TheCADWhisperer — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:05:28 GMT

Attach file here.

Obvious question, do you have something to subtract from?

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

SharkDesign — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:08:52 GMT

Yep, happens on any file, but only the first time I launch the command. If I use the thicken command then start it again the options come up first time.

You can see in the video I posted.

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

SharkDesign — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:09:56 GMT

Not sure if the screencast is showing for you, if not here it is again.

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

torbjorn_heglum2 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 12:12:34 GMT

To remove material, I normally just change offset direction (below the distance textbox)

Torbjørn

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

blandb — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:10:40 GMT

@torbjorn_heglum2

That works too!

But if you uncheck automatic blending, this the cut options appears...

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

johnsonshiue — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 17:54:08 GMT

Hi! This confusion comes up from time to time. On Inventor 2012, there was an effort to make Thicken works more like a direct manipulating command operating on solid face. So, the default was changed to "Auto-blending" checked. This means the the face will in the face normal direction without new faces created.

To access other operation types, just uncheck "Auto-blending" option and all Thicken operation types will be available.

Many thanks!

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

SharkDesign — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 06:43:53 GMT

I've just gone to look at the tool again. What you say is right, but what is happening is that when I choose Quilt, Automatic Blending is unticked, when I switch back to Face, Automatic Blending is not turned back on so I still have access to the subtract command.

This is very confusing, but I don't really know how you'd fix that.

Automatically re-enabling the blending option would also confuse users because it would look like it was impossible to get subtract with the face option.

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

johnsonshiue — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 17:14:43 GMT

Hi James,

I agree with you. The behavior was confusing. I cannot count how many similar questions about this that I had to reply to. It was not a well-thought-out design. We are modernizing Inventor UI and workflows. Hopefully, this kind of issues will be resolved soon.

Many thanks!

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

Khoa_NguyenDang — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 02:14:01 GMT

Hi @johnsonshiue

That's great to see your explanation about this confusing problem of thicken feature in Inventor

I am writing code to create automatically solid for all faces that I selected

But with the part create from Make Component in Multi Solid Part. For the first time, I use my code for Thicken Feature. It shows the error. I think the reason is from what you explain about Thicken

Have you had experience in code for thicken feature? If yes, hope you can help me

Thank you so much

Re: Thicken doesn't show subtract option

johnsonshiue — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:27:19 GMT

Hi! I know a little bit about iLogic. I am nowhere near an expert. The way I look at iLogic is that it is very close to doing something manually but in a more structured way. If you can do something manually in Inventor, chances are it can be done in iLogic (rule or VB.net code).

For this case, I suspect you will probably need to turn off "Auto-Blending" option in Thicken command (Inventor API) just like you do in manual workflow.

Many thanks!