topic Re: Dimension Scaling Issues in Inventor Forum

Dimension Scaling Issues

Prodigious_Ninja — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:03:25 GMT

Relatively new Inventor user here: Whenever I begin my first sketch the initial dimension scale on the screen is very small, about 2" across my entire screen. When I begin adding dimensions to my sketch, if it's a large part, it inevitably scales the sketch geometry up and I have to zoom out to be able to see the sketch. It seems that it would be more helpful for Inventor to scale my sketch down, rather than blow it up and out of view. Is there somewhere I can change a parameter or setting to help avoid this?

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

kacper.suchomski — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:05:33 GMT

Duble middle click to zoom all.

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

Prodigious_Ninja — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:10:44 GMT

Thank you. This definitely helps, though I'd prefer a default or an automated solution.

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

kacper.suchomski — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:17:45 GMT

Automatic view adjustment is impractical in many situations (actually most situations, except for the first sketch). As a new user, you have little experience with the variety of case studies of this behavior, but over time you will notice that in many situations, this behavior will do more harm than good.

Ps. If you have a 3DConnexion manipulator, click Fit key.

Ps2. When sketching, you can see the length of the lines. You can scroll continuously to pre-adjust the screen scale to the size.

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:57:28 GMT

Rule of thumb when sketching, add the largest parameter first. That'll set the viewable scale and you won't have to do so much zooming.

Another rule of thumb I use in my beginner classes...forget and I mean FORGET how you may have done things in any previous CAD software. Even though you may be able to do a lot of Autocad commands in Inventor, you'll paint yourself into a corner soon enough and you won't be able to get out easily.

Yes, some processes may be the same, etc., but you're now using Inventor, not Acad, Solidworks, Pro/E, etc.

This is quite possibly the biggest hurdle new users face. It's human nature to go back to what's comfortable/familiar, etc. You are now basically learning a new language.

Other than that, if you don't invest in quality training from a certified trainer or training center, I'd highly suggest going thru the tutorials you should have on your ribbon menu. If not, right click in the empty space of the ribbon and select the check box for such, the icons will now show. YouTube has a lot as well. Quality training is well worth it and will payback tenfold.

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

johnsonshiue — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 22:23:27 GMT

Hi! Maybe you want to turn off the auto-scale behavior. Go to Tools -> App Options -> Sketch -> uncheck "Auto-scale sketch geometries on initial dimension."

Many thanks!

Re: Dimension Scaling Issues

Prodigious_Ninja — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 22:52:34 GMT

I do not notice any change in behavior whether that box is checked or not. Perhaps my system is not working properly. I find it very strange that this modeling software is not able to autoscale the first dimension of a part. There must be a setting I can't find, something must be telling Inventor to set the scale of my window to 2 inches and if so why can't I change it to 4, 6, 12, anything I want when I create a new part?