Content Center Part's User Parameter Does Not Update

[cadman777]

Hello All,

This is a long time problem.

Just haven't had time to sniff it out until today, and I just can't figure it out.

Maybe someone in here can help?

Here's the deal:

I created a User Library from the out-of-the-box library parts.
In this case, the parts are pipe.

I added my own User Parameters for use in the BOM/Parts List.

For example, I added "G_D_Nom" for Nominal Diameter of pipes.

When manually placing the part from the C/C all Parameters are good.

But when I use the Frame Generator, the "G_D_Nom" Parameter always defaults to the size of the first part in the Family Table.

I wouldn't mind the problem if there was a 'quick fix' in the BOM, but I have not figured out a 'quick fix' using the BOM.

Does anybody have any ideas why that happens and how to fix it?

Does anybody know a quick fix for this problem using the BOM or some other tool?

Thanx

[blandb]

Can you not just create a custom column in the family table and have it set as shown:

then use the custom parameter in the Parts list?

[cadman777]

blandb,

Thanx for your reply.

Here's what I have:

1. Family table (reused what came w/Inventor)

2. iProperties in C/C part instance

3. Parameters in C/C part instance

That's my setup. Maybe that will help give you a clue what's going on?

[cadman777]

Hey Guys ...

Anybody have any further input on this for me?
I've been letting the issue sit idle FOR YEARS b/c everything I tried didn't work.

My suspicion is it has to do with AUTHORING the parts.

But it's been a long time since I did that, so can't recall what I may have done wrong.

Any takers?

[blandb]

Instead of mapping it to a parameter, why not just a custom property and utilize the property in your description?

[cadman777]

Because I use it in different ways in my work flow and b/c of how the Family Table is arranged.

I basically made a database of my own to use for BOMs and other data shown on drawings.

My goal was to eliminate ALL ERROR in drawing production.

Little did I know that is impossible unless you can write VBA.

Anyways, I got 95% w/my method, but still have a few quirks to work out.

I have been cursing the FG for a decade for BS like this.

Do you have any idea why it won't update when using the FG, and how to fix it?

[blandb]

If you have added the custom parameter to you part, then replaced the family template. You can go to the family table and make sure you have a column called "G_D_NOM". Make that equal to the Nominal dia of the family and save it.

Right-click on the family and choose "Family Properties" > Parameter Mapping tab > Template Parameters > Find the table column called G_D_Nom and choose the ellipsis > choose parameters > user > and the user parameter you desire. 

[cadman777]

Already did all that before coming in here.

That's why I'm in here, b/c nothing I do works, not even that.

I vaguely recall, but can't remember if it's correct, that if I have a Parameter AND an iProperty in the part, and don't author the part w/the Parameter in the Family Table at the time of Authoring, I'll have this problem. Does anybody want to verify that?

I also vaguely recall, but can't remember, there's a procedure to use to delete the Parameter and just use the iProperty. I will lose some functionality in my work-flow from doing that, but it may re-enable the populating of this Property into the BOM.

Otherwise, it is possible my C/C part is broken, or is this caused by the FG not playing well w/custom C/C parts?

Anyways, I'd hoped to find someone in here who'd done enough customizing, and REMEMBERS the fine nit picky minutia details of exceptions and exclusions and WORK-AROUNDS in the process, that they'd recognize my problem and remember how they fixed it when they had it, or else how they CIRCUMVENTED it with a certain work-flow. I have this problem with a number of my parts, such as W-beams. The WT value doesn't populate properly, just like the Nominal Diameter. So I'm inclined to say it's not any 'broken' custom authored parts. It's something else.

I sure wish there was someone in here who knows something about this and wants to share their hard-earned info.

Cheers

[blandb]

I'm pretty sure what I have on my system is everything you are looking for....the things you are asking for I'm pretty sure have been shown to work on this thread... if not then I'm not sure what you are trying to do...

[cadman777]

I'm trying to get the ipt's Parameter to get its data from the values found in the Family Table column that is mapped to the ipt's iProperty, which is the same name as said Parameter.

But it never does.

It always takes only the first value in the Family Table column WHEN THE FRAME GENERATOR USES THE C/C PART, BUT NOT WHEN I MANUALLY USE THE PART.

WHY?

I showed you my setup in the above screen shots.

WHAT do you see that's wrong?

WHAT needs to change and HOW so the FRAME GENERATOR will receive the correct data for its parts?

That's all I'm asking.

[blandb]

Below, nothing has been done to the nominal size, I have created a column in the family table that is G_D_Nom and making it equal to Nominal diameter. There are no mappings of this column.

After placing one of the members into an assembly, open it directly. Then add the user parameter called C_D_Nom with the export check mark. Save the file. Replace the family template with the file just saved.

Go back to the editor, but click on the family properties of the family > Parameter mapping > Template Parameters > Find the column from the table called G_D_Nom and make it set to the User parameter of the part called C_D_Nom as below:

Now, when I was testing mine, and added members to FG, the property updated as shown:

hope that helps

[cadman777]

OK, THANX A LOT for that detailed procedure!

I had done everything that you show EXCEPT ONE THING:

I did not go to the 'Part Template Parameters' dialogue and pick the G_D_Nom Parameter out of the list.

Why not?
B/c it already showed in the 'Template Parameters' field when I opened it up to do the procedure.

In the past, I just ASSUMED it was 'OK' since it showed up there.

WHY would it show up there if it wasn't yet registered w/the program?

So, apparently, even though the correct Parameter name appears in that table after a Family Table edit, you STILL have to shove it up Inventor's arse to get the change to register w/Inventor. WHY THIS DOUBLE-DOWN procedure? Why didn't the Family Table already register that Parameter when you ASSIGNED IT while editing the Family table? WTF??

This is the kind of convoluted thing that burns my arse.

Anyways ...

THANX TO YOU, I have fixed, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Also, I now have it documented now, for future use.

Much obliged!!

[blandb]

No problem, but I thought I had mentioned the parameter tab yesterday, but maybe you thought I was referring to mapping parameter in the column properties instead.

Glad you finally got it to work!

[cadman777]

I just needed to see every step.

Too much in my head to translate the words into dialogue boxes.

Thanx again!

[emanuel.c]

Any idea why I don't have the 3 dots in the Family Mapping -> Parameter Mapping -> Template Parameters? ...
It is obviously a copied content family etc.

[cadman777]

Sorry, I don't know.

Did you copy it so it's Read-Write?

Maybe that's the problem?

I never had that problem, so not sure what to look for or what to ask to troubleshoot.

[emanuel.c]

Hmm, I'm sure it is. I mean I go through the whole table and edit it without a problem...

Will keep looking. I like what you said awhile back about "trying to eliminate errors". That's what I'm working on too, making sure the stock number feeds from parameters etc.

Thanks!

[SharkDesign]

Are you using frame generator as in the first post? A lot of this is handled in the file naming defaults in application options now. 

[emanuel.c]

I'm not sure I understand and I may have highjacked the post. Basically what I need is to have for content center pipes a parameter "G_D_nom" which is populated by the table column {SIZE_SEL}. Or in short I need a parameter with the nominal size, whenever used, whether frame generated or placed from content center. Thanks!

[SharkDesign]

I think to do this you have to save the item as 'custom' add the parameter, then back in CC right click the family and use 'replace family template.' that the parameter will show up in the mapping column.

Make sure it's not read only, make sure your filter isn't set to 'merged'