Driving Multiple Sketch Dimensions from a Drop-Down Selection

[emailY6U9U]

Doing some very repetitive (and fairly simple) frame members. Before anyone asks, Frame Generator is a no-go, as it is an utterly useless waste of drive space on my computer and I wish they would just yank it from the program (or make it work like a SolidWorks weldment.)

...anyway. Bunch of frame members that need to be notched to fit one another. Shapes are more complicated than square or round tube, so I can't just change one dimension in the extrude to make them fit. Ideally, I would like to be able to select the member I'm notching for in a drop-down and have it drive the sketch dimensions for the cut. 

I have an iPart set up for all of the 'base' members (200 some odd similar shapes with different dimensions) which are also all the same ones I'll be notching them for to meet (at different angles, but I can drive that by driving the angle of the work plane.)

I've tried playing around with iFeatures, but only see direct entry as an option when placing the feature. 

I don't want to get too fancy with it, but I also would like to start building some automation into my Inventor when I have to do things like this. I understand this is arguably one of the strengths of this software, and want to take advantage whenever I can. 

I'd appreciate any input on this. Thanks. 

[SharkDesign]

You don't want to use frame generator, but this would literally take 5 seconds in Frame Generator. 

You should definitely revisit it if you haven't looked at it recently. 

The only negative for me is that the numbering system of members could be a bit better. 

[emailY6U9U]

Let's assume for the sake of argument that I'm not a completely brainless, stubborn pile of formulas (might be a stretch....) and that I have a very valid reason to not use Frame Generator, besides my extreme dislike and dissatisfaction with it. 

Say, for example, my customer hates it even more than I do, and requires all of the members to be created and managed as individual .ipt files and .iams, which makes it possible for them to quickly and easily reuse or change work. Something Frame Generator makes roughly impossible with their drawing structure and numbering system. 

Also, that this 'frame' is going to be part of another assembly, and if I use iParts in an assembly instead of Frame Generator, it will actually maintain mates in the next assembly up, rather than exploding into uselessness because someone had the audacity to change one of the members (something that takes literally 5 seconds to do when I have my iParts all set up, and is the next best thing to impossible to do with Frame Generator.) 

So yes, I have plenty of experience with Frame Generator, as other customers actually do use it for some reason. (I'm not just a SolidWorks fanboi, the SW 'Weldment' workflow is just better in every way than the heaping pile of code that is 'Frame Generator.')

[Gabriel_Watson]

I see this as being possible via iLogic, but it seems really involved and would take considerable time to write. You should post this with some visual queues/pictures at the Inventor iLogic forum to see if anyone has an afternoon free to help you get started on it:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ilogic-api-vba-forum/bd-p/120

Show at least one example of a cut you want, and if you can make one sample work then you are 90% there.

Most likely you will need an adaptive sketch of some sort in your iParts, and a lot of parametric design maybe feeding from an Excel table, depending on the complexity of the notching elements. I won't give it much thought now because it is probably some good amount of work into it and I'm a beginner at iLogic as well. Good luck!

[emailY6U9U]

"It seems really involved and would take considerable time to write." 

You're likely correct, but the really disappointing thing is that seems to be the answer any time I ask a question about customizing Inventor (which is, arguably, made to be 'automated')

Appreciate your feedback, will likely just take some common-sense optimization steps and brute force my way through the job. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I agree with Gabriel. I think iLogic is the way to go. It offers the exact ability to drive multiple parameters residing in different parts in an assembly. Also, you can create a simple form to drive these parameters. You may want to google the terms "Autodesk Inventor iLogic frame." There should be plenty of examples. Or, you can share a simple example here. Forum experts can help provide further guidance.

Many thanks!

[gcoombridge]

In the past I have used sketch symbols in a part file to create frame member profiles and extrude them as individual bodies. Then I exported to individual files and used ilogic to acquire the length of the member and set the BOM quantity. This workflow makes it very easy to notch, cut, trim and add bolt holes as all parts are modelled in position.

I think your comment about Inventor automation is a little unfair. The reason you should expect it to be a significant task is that you're essentially trying to replace a major software add-in.

My main issue with frame generator (which I use everyday) is the difficulty of adding bolt holes for splice plates etc... When Inventor develops something like the Revit steel connections tool I'll be very pleased...