topic Replace Model Reference Single Instance in Inventor Forum

Replace Model Reference Single Instance

MikeKovacik4928 — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:43:58 GMT

I would love to be able to do a replace model reference, but only for a single chosen instance,

when there are multiple occurences. I know, from previous posts that this is not possible

in Inventor except with ilogic.

In other words, similar to block replace in autocad, but a blockreplace of a single instance,

which in autocad can only be done by lisp.

I have found a work around, which works and is longer, see attached.

I would however like to add to my wish list, a command to do replace single instance of a

model reference, and might add it to the idea forum, if anyone else agrees with me that it

might be worthwhile

Michael Kovacik
AutoCAD 2d & 3d (29 yrs)& Inventor (7 yrs)
Manufacturing (30 yrs) Draughtsman
Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2018
Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Replace Model Reference Single Instance

salariua — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 11:07:46 GMT

So you would actually need to do this all copy to a new drawing, change reference, copy back with iLogic and I think it's been discussed before here.

Haven't tested the code though but it's a start.

Re: Replace Model Reference Single Instance

MikeKovacik4928 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 09:59:56 GMT

Thanks Adrian

That is exactly what I was asking!

I see it has been an issue with others before.

I need to study that posting and I see it has been solved with ilogic.

So it seems that once again the software is very inflexible and not capable of doing

certain tasks. As with AutoCAD and blockreplace, the only solution is programming.

It seems that to streamline your company's drawing flow, these days,

you have to be a programmer, as well as a draughtsman and a designer!

I still think it would be a huge benefit to have that as a standard function

both in AutoCAD and in Inventor rather than having to use programming.

But maybe they haven't done it, because it is not possible?

Michael Kovacik
AutoCAD 2d & 3d (29 yrs)& Inventor (7 yrs)
Manufacturing (30 yrs) Draughtsman
Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2017
Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Replace Model Reference Single Instance

johnsonshiue — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 13:09:39 GMT

Hi Michael,

Indeed, for this particular workflow, it should be doable technically, as the automated or manual workaround shows. There should not be a technical limitation here. Please feel free to report it on Inventor Ideas if there is no existing entry.

To certain degree, yes, you are right. Inventor is not as flexible as AutoCAD in several ways. First of all, the two systems are different and designed for different purposes. Inventor is a 3D feature based parametric solid modeling tool, while AutoCAD is mainly a very versatile drafting tool. There is nothing wrong with co-existence of the two. We have a lot of customers using both on a daily basis.

It sounds like you have extensive AutoCAD experience. I am not sure if you are aware of the ability to create associative drawing views to Inventor components in AutoCAD? The command is called VIEWBASE. And, you can select an Inventor part or assembly to create base views, projected views, and various views. I am not exactly sure how Replace Model Reference works there. I am not surprised if there is a command or workflow allowing it to happen more naturally like how Xref is managed.

The versatility of AutoCAD is quite uniquely powerful. You can even push the associative drawing views in paper space to model space as blocks!

Many thanks!

Re: Replace Model Reference Single Instance

MikeKovacik4928 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 16:47:30 GMT

Thanks Johnson

I am aware of the ability to create associative drawing views to Inventor components in AutoCAD, but haven't used it,

as I either work totally in AutoCAD for 2d layouts, or totally in Inventor for 3d manufacturing drawings.

I have never had a need to link the two. However I will have a look sometime and see how it works

I will search the idea forum, and if it has not been mentioned before, will post it, as once again I think

this would be very beneficial as a standard command, rather than having to resort to programming.

Michael Kovacik
AutoCAD 2d & 3d (29 yrs)& Inventor (7 yrs)
Manufacturing (30 yrs) Draughtsman/Designer
Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2018
Johannesburg, South Africa