Changing color code on resistor using iParts, etc.?

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a way to select a value/part# of a resistor and have the color bands change in the 3d model of a PCB. I am using Eagle to design the board. Fusion 360 does not support different models based on the "technology" of the part (or any assembly variants at all). Basically I have boards that need 3d models for different "assembly variants"  including color codes for each resistor. So that leads me down the Autodesk Inventor path. I am getting familiar with the iPart system. From my understanding, changing the color of the component in the iPart table changes the entire model, not the resistor color bands. So is there an easy way to do what I am trying to do? I can use VBA if there is not another way to do this.

Using Inventor 2017.

Referencing this thread:

forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/adaptive-parts-and-part-errors/td-p/7611291

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:

...changing the color of the component in the iPart table changes the entire model, not the resistor color bands... 

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I haven't tried the bands colors by Face, but if that doesn't work - I am all but certain multi-body would work (haven't tried it yet, though).  I would have to be motivated by someone willing to continue the discussion until resolution.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! At the moment, iPart does not yet support appearance/color configuration besides changing material style. You could add Material Style as a column on the author table. By changing the material style for each member, you will get different look.

Many thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

In my experience - while there might be an infinite number of resistance values - it is common to only use a handful.

In that case - it would be easy to make up a table for commonly used values.  And if another value is needed, simply add to the iPart table.  

Not Easy Button automatic, but it would work.

[philip1009 · Accepted solution]

I think the only way is to create the band as a separate part and use Material change in iParts to change the color.  Then have an iAssembly with the changing band and other parts of the resistor.  Then use the iAssembly to create all of the different resistor types and choose which ones to put on your boards.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies. I am looking into the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Features can have their own color. Right click on the feature and go to properties. So if each color band is a feature - revolved extrusion most likely - you can give it a color, independent from the color of the part. For different colors you could suppress the revolved feature and create another one in the same place with a different color. Give them meaningful names and you have an iPart with controlable color. I would go for a tabled iPart where each row is a value for the resistor. In the setup of the iPart it's up to you to suppress / activate the correct features for the value in that particular row.