topic Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components in Inventor Forum

copy a single component with constraints to other components

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:21:01 GMT

Hello

I would like to copy a single component with constraints to other components in my assembly to the same location in the assembly and the same constraints. by "copy" I mean a "reuse" or a new instance of an existing component. but I would like keep all constraints to outside components. I didnt find an option for that. why?

I need this because I need like 10 sliding objects on an axis. all have the same constraints relative to the rest of the world. and dont have any constraints relative to each other.

thanks you very much

niv

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

andrewiv — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:25:16 GMT

There is no way to copy a component and constraints without also copying the components that it is constrained to. Can you show an example of what you are trying to do, there may be another way of accomplishing what you want.

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

johnsonshiue — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 21:43:43 GMT

Hi! The closest thing in Inventor is iMate. But, you need to pre-define those iMates in each component. You cannot copy&paste constraints. Another workflow help facilitate constraining is called "Assemble." It is a quick way to assemble components in graphics window without having to recreate constraints individually.

Many thanks!

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

prussellZXB3F — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:30:10 GMT

I've been chipping away at an addin that gives a copy with mates like experience. I'm about to ditch what I've got and do a from scratch rewrite but thought I'd share the early beta as can still be a useful, although buggy tool.

screencast https://autode.sk/3ac5DGj

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CI1ppMxqbDlYHlHe2pn8eRYhkG7AqWIK?usp=sharing

drop the .dll and .addin into C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Inventor Addins

Regards Phil

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

ethanfL67BY — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 18:45:12 GMT

Hello Phil,

Do you have an updated addin for this?

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

ssharpe2GXW3 — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:29:41 GMT

Still 15 years behind Solidworks... Bravo Autodesk !

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

amol_swami — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:06:00 GMT

In another software we have a option when we copy it it asks for constraints where & which constraints you want to replace or add its where easy in it. Same should also have a option in it.

Re: copy a single component with constraints to other components

mgrenier2 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:40:50 GMT

This should be moved to the idea board tbh. Why is this not a thing?