Content center materials changes when size (designation) is changed

[niek.vanmierlo]

Dear all, 

I've added numerous materials to certain content center libraries. This all works fine however, when I've placed a certain member. And I later want to change the size of this member, the material of the member becomes the default material again. 

Is there a way to overcome this? or is the only solution to make a custom library for each material?

Thank you in advance. 

Niek

[niek.vanmierlo]

I've made a video that shows the problem

https://autode.sk/3qG6STS

[A.Acheson]

@niek.vanmierlo 

You can use the same family for different materials, easiest to add using the create new material button. Creating a separate family is also valid, it depends  on the company standards you want to follow. 

Can you screenshot the table you modified in the CC showing the filename , material, size designation or any key columns.

Are you using part numbers and description in the filename?

It sounds like the Filenames haven’t changed and your getting the file information from already used files located in CC Files folder. A Refresh could be needed. 

[niek.vanmierlo]

@A.Acheson 

This is the family table for one type of bolts.

[A.Acheson]

@niek.vanmierlo 

That table looks ok ✅ to me.
Some other checks:

• Check if the Materials exist in Materials Library?
• Can you place as custom a couple of sizes for each Material ensure each has a unique identifier like -A etc. This will eliminate any issues with already placed content. Are the materials coming up correctly. 
• Was the material manually typed into the CC table  or was it added through the material add tool? 

[niek.vanmierlo]

@A.Acheson 

I think I need the explain the problem more in depth. I've added the materials via the material guide in the content center. I can place bolts of every material in my model however, when I've placed a bolt (for example) and then go and change the length (or the size) of the bolt it changes the material of the bolt back to the default material of the bolt. 

https://autode.sk/2NtzhhO

I've made another screen cast which shows the problem. I first place a M10x60 bolt with the material "Roestvaststaal (RVS) and then go an change the length to M10x50, the material of the bolts automatically becomes the default material "Elektrolytisch verzinkt"

[A.Acheson]

@niek.vanmierlo 

Because you created these new materials with that unique filename, they should only exist in the CC files folder once.
Can you check that no file exist in the CC files folder with the wrong material and matches the new file name. If it does a change occurred and the information is being read from the existing file rather than the created. 

A theory:

Failing that there could be a bug with the family template not purging the materials correctly. Seemingly looking to the family template and the material created with it. 

What inventor release year?

Thanks for the video. I do not see the material in the screen shot so I cannot see if that if it is changing in the part file. Is the appearance updating as expected? This is of course separate to the material and can sometimes get out of sync in a material change. 

[niek.vanmierlo]

@Alan.AchesonQ6Z9H 

I'm working with Inventor 2020. The appearance and material are updating correctly. I don't totally get what you mean with the first part, which folder do you mean?

[A.Acheson]

@niek.vanmierlo 

I was referring to the folder in Figure 4

https://www.cadgroup.com.au/autodesk-inventor-quick-start-guide-create-project-file/

But the above will not solve your question. 

I see your question now loud and clear. I am sorry I had asked all the other questions first.

It isn't a file problem but more the selection of the material in the input box. There is no intelligence to keep the current material active when changing the size of the bolt. See attached screen shot. The default family material is being selected each time you change instead of keeping to the Material until the user input changes the Material. 

Time consuming and error prone also. 

This is a question now for the Autodesk Team.

[niek.vanmierlo]

@A.Acheson 

No apologies needed, Thank you for your help! A bummer to hear that it's not possible to "fix" the problem I'm having but, I at least can now stop searing for a solution. 

A possible work around for my problem is to create separate families for each material but I rather would not do this. 

[Daniel.buzinari]

Hi mate,

I think I'm experiencing this issue, I would like to confirm if my understanding is correct.

So, I have a custom bolt family with a given material "A", and now I changed it to material "B" on my Content Centre Table.

When I add a new bolt, it will still come with material "A" though.

I noticed there is a library folder called Content Centre Files\en-US\"the bolt I need to change folder", which is where my Inventor is getting the ipt files from.

If I delete the bolt from the folder en-US, Inventor creates a new one with the correct material "B" when I place a bolt using the Bolted Connection tool.

Now my question is, what would be the correct approach to update it?

1 - delete all the files from the en-US folder and let it be created again as needed.

2 - edit all files saved in there 1 by 1  and change them to the new material "B".

This library though is managed with Vault and my fear of deleting the bolts in the en-US folder is that if a designer opens a project and the bolt is missing from they C drive, Inventor will try to resolve it but there will be no correspondent bolt in Vault to be downloaded.

[A.Acheson]

Hi @Daniel.buzinari 

I think  your missing the refresh if the CC part. If you place the bolt and select the refresh from CC button assuming it's the same filename then it gets updated. Same for if the bolt wxist in and existing assembly rhats open. There also is a setting in application options to updated any CC parts that get placed. It isn't really good practice to delete the files it's also tedious. 

Here is an ilogic rule for placing every member of the same bolt family. 

[Daniel.buzinari]

Thanks for the quick reply mate.

I'll try that refresh button. The only thing though is that I will probably have to check out all the files I need to change in that en-US folder (which is no big deal).

Yeah, I wrote about deleting but, after thinking a bit about it, it is not a viable solution because then my projects will lose the bolt reference.

Thanks for the iLogic rule too, very handy.