Authoring a Structural Shape that contains multiple features

[Anonymous]

I need some help, I have created a wire basket cable tray and converted to an iPart.  The iPart works correctly, but when I go to author it under Structural Shapes I get an failure notice for reasons unknown.  I followed instructions on how to create the part (see link below - message #6) but I'm note sure how to author and publish this part.

Also, it was suggested to me that I look on YouTube to find a video on how to do this, unfortunately I have had no luck.

I would like to use this in Frame Generator.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/most-efficient-way-to-create-this-ipart/td-p/6019292

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

This will get a little too complex for structural authoring for frame generator.

With authoring for structural shapes it will only see the first extrusion/sketch and anything below that first extrusion is ignored.   You could try and go back to edit the family template and add the other features but it may be better just to make a custom ipart and not worry about doing such a thing for frame generator.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I need to show the "complex" part.  Would it be easier to author it using tube and pipe?

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

Understand and wasn't saying you can't.   But it could end up being a lot of work just to get it to work in frame generator.   Why can't you create it as a custom ipart and not worry about it under frame generator..   You are already there..  Just right mouse click on your length column in your ipart table and make it custom.

[Anonymous]

Can you help me make the part?  Would I be better off just making a simple u-shape extrusion?

[Mark.Lancaster]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Can you help me make the part?  Would I be better off just making a simple u-shape extrusion?

You already made the part...   So help in making it a custom ipart or authoring it for structural and frame generator?   On average how many cable trays will your model have?

---

[TheCADWhisperer]

I have read this several times and don't understand your Design Intent.

I would expect iPart to be the best solution.

But if you are trying to get cut list of individual wires, then it might be a bit different.

A 3D wireframe skeleton could be used with Frame Generator to generate the wires, but I doubt that is what you are after.

Do you make these in-house, or do you purchase from a vendor?

What is your end goal?

Making a simple u-shape extrusion and publishing as a structural profile should be trivially simple.  But why?  What is your goal?

[Anonymous]

Below is a YouTube link that I need to do.  When I am finished with the assembly, I will need a total length roll-up and cut list of each size used.  I have 3 sizes with 4 different widths (12 total) that all could be used in an assembly. 

These are purchased items with a maximum length of 3000mm and I would like to use a minimum length of 100mm.  For example if I had a run of 6000mm, it would show that it would be 2 pieces of 3000mm each.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj34xfNFbkI&feature=youtu.be

[SBix26]

This is a tubular profile with holes that should give you some ideas for your cable tray.  It is Inventor 2020 format and has already been authored as a structural profile.  Works very well in Frame Generator.

---

Sam B
Inventor Pro 2020.2 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

[JDMather]

That is an interesting video - I did not realize that was possible.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I think you should publish the iPart as a general CC part, not a structural shape. The structural shape is meant for creating Frame Generator frame member. It is not a way to create a structure as a whole.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

I need to do this in Frame Generator.  I think there is a problem with the latest service pack (2019.4.3), I am not even able to author a simple part.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Do you mind sharing the part you have trouble publishing?

Many thanks!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I did some searching on here and discovered that I am not the only one having difficulty authoring parts.  I see that there is a work around and it is being investigated.  I followed the instructions based on the link below and got the part to author and was able to publish it into Structural Shapes, it seems to be working but time will tell.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcartic...

Has anyone heard of this problem?  Any idea when AutoDesk will have a solution?  I am currently using 2019 and will not be upgrading to the latest version until February.