Is it possible to create multiple frames in a single assembly environment? (i.e. Frame0001, Frame0002)
The members all lump together in one Frame regardless of when they are created in the workflow.
I know there is a workaround for this by making each frame in its own assembly...but that will be more cumbersome than it is worth in this application.
Right now I have just created folders in the Frame0001 to sort things out, but the folders are not very flexible as far as moving things in and out or reordering...it is a pain.
I've used the Frame generator to create my existing building columns, existing platform columns, and existing handrail. I'll be using the frame generator pretty soon here to build a new platform, which I would love to keep separate from the existing steel.
I suppose I could save the current assembly and insert it into a new one so I can add the new equipment, but I'd rather avoid large subassemblies like that. Seems like it would be a lot easier to just have an option to create Frame0002.
(Inventor Professional 2014 Update 1, Windows 7 Professional)
Be very careful with Frames - you can go down the road of multiple frames, but you'll need to think carefully about assembly structures.
There are two great tools called "Promote with Frame Generator" and "Demote with Frame Generator". Don't edit the frame assembly to access them, just multi-select & right-click the members whilst sitting at the assembly level shown in your screen-shot. (You would have edited the Frame assembly to create those folders.) With these special versions of Promote and Demote, you can build frame sub-assemblies which are really easy to detail because they are just .iam's like any other. And you can perform cross-frame functions (like trimming members) between members of different sub assemblies - which is what you will want I'm sure.
If you mess with the srtucture of Frame Generator in any other way, it almost always ends in tears.
Just had a play with this technique and it does exactly what I've been doing previously with multiple assemblies. This is much easier. Thanks!
Further to this I have a question. I've noticed that once the frame members are assigned to sub-assemblies, I don't seem to be able to adjust the lengths. My normal technique is to create a skeleton using 2D and 3D sketches, then I can change my sketch dimensions to adjust the frame length etc. Can this be done with sub-assemblies or is it locked in at this point?
Take note that you should only demote FG members once.Demoting a second time (a sub-sub-assy) will break the link to the frame.
Demoting Frame members should not break their link with their driving layout sketch(s).
Nor should demoting twice. I just tried a simple frame in 2014 and a sub of a sub of a frame works just fine - see below:
I try and stick with a couple of rules that seem to give me nice stable frame assemblies:
Final tip that often seems to get overlooked: When starting a frame assembly, use the "Make Layout" function to create your layout sketch part. This automatically sets the BOM structure of the layout part to phantom thereby preventing it from appearing in the parts list on a drawing.
Don't forget "kudos" and to "mark as solution" to help others find what they are looking for.
(Anyone know what kudos actually does?!)
The demote behaviour must have changed in 2013 and 2014. In 2011 and 2012 I had several issues with demoting FG members twice and loosing the connection to the frame sketch so that updates to the sketch did not update the frame member.
II just did a test in 2013 and it is working fine after 3 demotes.
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