Can't sketch in an assembly

[EagleBee93]

I've been having this problem recently, and I remember being able to do it previously, but: When in an assembly and I go to the sketch tab, everything is grayed out and it won't let me make a sketch. I did some research, and the only answer I can find is that the assembly loaded in express mode, which I double checked and mine did not. So, what else is preventing me from creating a sketch in an assembly?

[blandb]

You cannot just attach an iam file as that is just a file that links a bunch of components together. Please post everything. Or, send a screen recording of what you are doing, that would help.

[EagleBee93]

You say I can't, yet I just did... lol.

I don't understand why attaching every single .ipt file in that assembly helps with the issue I'm having, could you please explain further? Also, I don't have any programs that let me screen record. The company I work for doesn't like us downloading apps other than what's needed for work, and even so I don't have an admin password to download anything like that. 

Sorry for any ignorance, I just started using Inventor back in December of last year, and so you may need to explain further. I have a hard head and tend to not like doing things people tell me to do, just because they told me to do it lol. You may not be able to tell through text, but this is all said with a light hearted/joking tone. Could you please explain more as to why what you're asking me to do would help resolve the issue I'm having?

[blandb]

Because the .iam file will throw errors looking for associated parts that we don't have. If we don't have them we cant replicate what you are trying to do. UNLESS, this is just a blank assembly with no parts. I didn't even DL it to check. Normally users will post assembly files thinking it will automatically have all their parts.  So it is kind of a default response before even looking into the issue.

[EagleBee93]

Makes total sense, thank you! One issue, it only lets me attach 3 files at a time, and there's a LOT more than 3 lol.

[blandb]

As to my point:

But it appears you are in a weldment environment and not just a regular assembly. Launching a new Weldment.iam will have the sketch options greyed out, where the regular assembly will not:

I assume you are wanting to add cut features to an assembly? If so, in the weldment environment you would have to use the "machining" area by double-clicking on it, then you can activate the sketch in there:

[blandb]

zip file, put it all in there.

[blandb]

Pack and go on your main assembly, then you can choose what it thrown into a folder, for example skipping all your templates, etc. Then it CAN if chosen will make the zip for you, if not, then you will need to do that manually.

[EagleBee93]

Oh okay, I didn't realize there was a difference between weldment and assemblies as far as that was concerned. And no, what I'm trying to do is make a sketch and project geometry of 2 parts in that weldment to use as a base sketch to make another part. The only reason I'm stuck doing that is because The ramp surface is a spline, and while the original spline is constrained, when I'm offsetting for thickness' of materials, I can't replicate an offset spline that's constrained, so I'm just taking a sketch of the profile and using it to create another part that will be going under the ramp surface to act as a rib. You can tell I'm not too tech savvy, let me google how to zip files 😋

So, in short, are you saying that you can't create sketches in weldments? Only in assemblies/parts?

[EagleBee93]

How do I use pack and go? Never done that before.

[blandb · Accepted solution]

In that iam, if you have not created the component yet, then click on the Assemble Tab > Create button, This will allow you to create a part in context of the assembly. You can then choose where to locate the component, such as choosing a face of an existing component. A new dialog box appears prompting for new component info, then you can start a sketch and extrude based on projecting other geometries. Please see attached for quick example:

[EagleBee93]

Love it!!! Thanks so much man.

[Gabriel_Watson · Accepted solution]

In a weldment, you have to double-click the Preparations or the Machining folder/environment before you can start a sketch (Welds will also not allow you to create sketches):

[blandb]

File > Save As Expand arrow:

Choose desired settings on the left, Click the "Search now" to find files

[EagleBee93]

After I complete step 2 of the pack and go, the "Start" button is still grayed out, even after it found all the files.

[EagleBee93]

do i need to select "package as .zip" as well?

[blandb]

Without seeing it I'm not sure. You can either choose to do the zip now, or investigate what it made and clean up the folder first, then zip it later. That's up to you.