topic Re: Model Blocks? in Inventor Forum

Model Blocks?

EagleBee93 — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:12:27 GMT

Is there a way to save, let's say, a 5/16" shaft collar, or any hardware 3d model that I use daily into a quick-access block file that i can get to with 1 or 2 clicks/commands, sort of like autocad? right now, i have a decent amount of 3d models saved into a block folder i created, but everytime i go to place the part i have to dig through files to get to my block file to place it into the assembly. is there a faster way to do this? I'm new to inventor, so any help is appreciated. when i click "Place" it comes up with my workspace, libraries and content center files on the left side of the pop-up. maybe there's a way to create a file there called "blocks" that I'm not aware of?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Model Blocks?

kacper.suchomski — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:43:26 GMT

If you mean adding parts for assembly then you can create your own CC library.
If you are talking about part features, you can create your own iFeature library in a new folder of your choice.

Re: Model Blocks?

EagleBee93 — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:48:43 GMT

how do I create a content center library to add often-used parts to that I can easily place into an assembly?

Re: Model Blocks?

kacper.suchomski — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:53:30 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=inventor+custom+content+center

Re: Model Blocks?

pcrawley — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 22:25:38 GMT

A Content Center is a great idea - but building your own, especially if you're new to Inventor, is not a quick task. You may find it more frustrating than useful and it may put you off the idea - even though it is probably a good long-term solution.

When i click "Place" it comes up with my workspace, libraries and content center files on the left side of the pop-up. maybe there's a way to create a file there called "blocks" that I'm not aware of?

You can add shortcuts into the "Place" dialog box. They show up in Open and save too. Edit your Project file and add "Frequently Used Subfolders". You'll see there are two fields you can edit - the name that appears in the Place/Open/Save dialog, and the folder path which must be a subfolder of your workspace. Note if you add your blocks into a "Libraries" folder, Inventor will consider them read only which can be useful to prevent you accidentally editing a standard part by accident.

Re: Model Blocks?

EagleBee93 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:32:26 GMT

When I go to "file > manage > projects" it won't let me right-click anywhere to create a subfolder. how do I go about that? Sorry I'm very fresh to inventor, so I'm not familiar with some of the terminology and may need step-by-step instructions if possible. Thanks!

Re: Model Blocks?

Frederick_Law — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:39:59 GMT

You can put the model in a folder structure.

You and drag and drop model from Windows File Explorer into assembly.

I have 20 years collection of Festo, McMaster Carr, Parker, hydraulic cylinder (assembly), valves, fittings etc.

Re: Model Blocks?

jtylerbc — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:40:55 GMT

You can't edit any settings in the project file while you have any Inventor files open. Close all files first, then try it.

Re: Model Blocks?

EagleBee93 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:53:16 GMT

okay, so I right-clicked on "Frequently Used Subfolders" then "Add Path" then I choose my file path where my blocks are located and change the name of the subfolder to "Blocks" and when I hit enter it says "invalid frequently used subfolders path. make sure the selected path is a subfolder of one of the project search paths"

So, to my understanding this means that I have to copy my blocks folder to every new project folder i create in order to add it to the frequently used subfolders? To me that makes no sense bc then when I click "Place" that subfolder is now showing up in my workspace anyway? Can you not have this option to where it applies to every new/existing project at once?

Re: Model Blocks?

kacper.suchomski — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:58:02 GMT

Yes. Therefore, if you need it for 2-3 projects, it makes sense. But if you want to repeat such a procedure up to a week for a year; it's better to spend one day learning and create your CC library.

Re: Model Blocks?

EagleBee93 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:59:21 GMT

Okay I'll look into that now, thank you very much to everyone!

Re: Model Blocks?

Frederick_Law — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:06:37 GMT

You can use 1 Project for everything.

Put Project in it's folder inside workspace.

C:\IV Projects

C:\IV Projects\Model Block

C:\IV Projects\Project 1

C:\IV Projects\Project 2

Re: Model Blocks?

Frederick_Law — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:11:27 GMT

Content Center is of similar parts library/family.

Like different size nuts and bolts.

If you only have a few in the family, you don't need the overhead of CC.

Also CC parts not supposed to change once you publish it.

If you'll be changing them, don't make it CC.

iPart/iAssembly/Model State will do better.

Re: Model Blocks?

jtylerbc — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:17:18 GMT

@EagleBee93 wrote:

So, to my understanding this means that I have to copy my blocks folder to every new project folder i create in order to add it to the frequently used subfolders?

Technically yes, but only because you're trying to use "Frequently Used Subfolders". That isn't the best way to handle what you're trying to do. In a way, you've been given the correct answer to the wrong question.

For what you are trying to do, you should most likely use Library Paths instead. They can exist outside of the project's workspace. For various reasons (some valid, some questionable), my company uses an individual project file for each job.

But all of those project files link to a shared set of Library folders where we store commonly used purchased parts. Some of those we've downloaded from supplier websites, others we've modeled ourselves based on catalog dimensions. Some are iParts, some are individual. They're all stored in Library folders where they are subcategorized in various ways.

The quirk to Library paths is that you can't edit files while using a project file that considers their location a Library. Inventor considers Library paths to be read-only locations, because in principle they are supposed to be "standard" parts that don't get changed much. This is helpful in preventing accidental changes, but is a little bit of a nuisance when you find a minor issue (like a typo in the description) of a part you want to reuse from the library.

To edit files in the Library locations, you would need to have a separate project file that does not define that folder as a library path. I named mine "Librarian" (for obvious reasons). I don't use it for anything else, so it actually has the library location set as the workspace.