Custom drawing symbols - architectural symbols.

[moon47usaco]

We are evaluating software for use in architectural millwork. We like all of Inventors capabilities but are put off with the very mechanical look and feel of drawing elements.

I would like to create custom drawing labels, Section call-outs/labels, detail call-out/labels and elevation tags.

I want these elements linked to the drawing view(s).

We usually separate plan, elevations, sections and details on different pages so a detail call-outs will need to reference the initial view.

Below are examples of what we want:

Is any of this possible with the API?

Drawing label example. Scale linked to the view. This would be for top, front and side views.

Section call-outs similar to the 1st in the image rather than the last two that are standard in Inventor.

Square detail call outs with a leader to the call out symbol.

Finally elevation call-outs for the top view that will reference front and side views.

[moon47usaco]

Is any of this possible?

[MechMachineMan]

Auto implementation with API? Mostly.

Implementable through the default applications UI, with required user inputs? Yup. You create sketched symbols and input them into the drawings as required.

[moon47usaco]

As for the auto implementation, could you expand on mostly?

I am aware of being able to create symbols but they will not have a link and require the user to ensure that any changes made to the parent are applied to the child and visa versa. For instance changing the section letter on the parent or moving the detail to another sheet.

We would like to remove the possibility for human error wherever possible.

Not to mention changing the look of the detail call out and section line are not really possible with standard UI. We would need the ability to turn off the default graphics and replace them with symbols. From what I have seen this is not possible.

[MechMachineMan]

Perhaps now is a good time to check your sources.

And sure, automating it and removing the manual work is possible.... If you are willing to pay for someone to develop you an add-in or are willing and able to learn the programming to make it happen otherwise.

You are correct though; out of the box it requires manually placing symbols and filling in fields. Makes the old AutoCAD users feel right at home.

[moon47usaco]

Thanks, I was able to hide the section and detail lines by changing the layer of that object to one that is hidden. Then adding custom symbols over the parent view will be an acceptable workaround until coding can be done to automate the relationship from parent to child view.

Having it automated is the end goal. The point of this thread was to verify if the time to research how to implement the desired functionality is even worth the effort.

I have done scripting on other software only to run into a dead end where the API did not offer a way to connect to and reference the features I needed.

Knowing that what I am after is possible, I can now confidently start researching what exactly is needed to accomplish the end result.

Thanks for the input. =]

R

PS: Do not really want the AutoCAD users to feel at home. I want them to feel like they are in a new home with new easier to use functionality.

I know, good luck with that, but it is the direction we would like to be moving in...

[lando7189]

Yup, it can be done.  We made the jump to Inventor a few years ago for woodwork/millwork to work with SolidCIM/RouterCIM.  One of my first customizations in VB.NET about a year ago was to create a view symbol & a north symbol (both using the same class).

  - Lanny

[NachoShaw]

Hi

would you mind expanding on what your specific tool does? Do you attach to existing sketch lines associated with sections & details etc?

[NachoShaw]

hi

would you mind sharing how you turned off the default section lines / text? also, whether you did this manually or not

thanks

nacho

[kadscad]

Lanny, I too am looking for architectural detailing symbols and can't believe they are not included with the program.

would care to share your hard work? Please leave a message

[pwhite]

Hello,

   I was wonder how this worked out? I am struggling with this issue now.

Thanks

Patrick

[kadscad]

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@pwhite wrote:

Hello,

   I was wonder how this worked out? I am struggling with this issue now.

Thanks

Patrick

---

Patrick this has gone no where. I'm new to inventor so I'm just learning. I did start to create my own symbols but

Dont know how to replace the defaul symbols. I can  place them but have I  to edit them manually. I need elevation arrows that are dynamic in direction placement.