Frame Generator Replaced member ipt File

[cad]

In Frame Generator, it saves ipt files for each member inserted.

While replacing any member size using "Edit with Frame Generator", saves a new ipt with a different name.

The trouble is the ipt file for the Old replaced member is still there in the folder.

I get difficult to find and delete all old files when it is a big structure.

Is there any way to do it quickly.

(Any option to delete replaced member file automatically or any iLogic to find and delete the files etc)

Thanks..

[Mark.Lancaster]

@cad

That's how frame generator works..  There's no option to delete the file but maybe @Curtis_Waguespack may have some code for you.

[cad]

Thanks Mark

[cad]

Still Wondering,

If any other solution I can get.

Or I am missing something while changing the size of frame member that can delete / overwrite the existing member file.

@Curtis_Waguespack

Any ilogic possible to delete non-used members.

As I am getting hundreds of non-used members at the end of the day after changing the sizes.

Many thanks.

Shail.

[blair · Accepted solution]

Nope, that's pretty much how it is unfortunately. I guess a "Pack-and-Go would get you only the files that are actually being used in the IAM. The Design Assistant will tell you where the file is used but I can see this being a giant waste of time.

If this is the only project in your work folder, then the Pack and Go, to collect all the files required for the parent IAM file. Then delete all the files in the folder and copy back the files from the Pack and Go folder would clean it up.

I can't ever remember seeing anyone do a iLogic or API code to run through a Project folder and look for unused orphan IPT files.

[Mark.Lancaster · Accepted solution]

@cad

Here's one way you could do it.  Its a manual check/process but it will work.

In the BOM interface for you assembly, enable parts only tab, right mouse click on the BOM column information and select run time customization and drag the file path column to the existing columns.  Next disable the part number merge and then export BOM to a excel spreadsheet and then use that as a list so you could check to delete members that are in the same folder and not part of the model.

[cad]

@blair

I got many Projects using Frame Generator. Every time I change the sizes as per Client's requirements.

But really Pack & Go will work for now to use it time to time and remove non-used files.

@Mark.Lancaster

Now I come to know something that I never knew.

And definitely, that's far quicker way than I use now.

Thanks Guys again.

[csandnas]

Has there been any changes or updates to the frame generator in regards to this problem?

It is an enormous waste of time to have to do anything other than change the size with the file name/part number retained.

[csandnas]

Yes! Giant waste of time! Why is there this neat tool to create frames but it does not allow ANY changes to the profile/cross section after it has been created?? Do developers really not understand that designs change and may require a different cross section?

[blandb]

Do you use vault? If so, then just work on your project until you are finished. Check all files in, clear local work space, then check out the entire final assembly, and whatever was not checked out remove, then undo the check out.

Just a thought.

[csandnas]

How does that help to change the frame cross section without having to deal with the part numbers?

Vault only makes the issue worse because now i get to go in to vault to delete the old part numbers only to replace them with the new part numbers that have the correct/updated cross section.

[blandb]

Your initial post stated "how to find and delete all old files..." I read that as, how do I find all old frame members no longer being used, and how to delete them. 

[csandnas]

I see how you could interpret that as just a file issue. This is worse than a file issue. ANYTHING made with the frame generator is literally uneditable in regards to it's cross section, which is an absurd error in development of a tool meant to allow users to create parametric models of frames.

[jtylerbc]

@csandnas, in newer releases there is an option that allows the size of the existing file to change instead of creating a new part file every time the member size changes.

If your part numbers aren't dependent on the member size (ex. sequential numbers like T-01, T-02, etc.), then this solves a lot of file management problems.  With the option turned on, Frame Generator only creates a new part file if you change the member to a different family (for example, you replace a tube with an angle).  Changing sizes within the same family would just update the existing part file you already have.

I jumped directly from Inventor 2018 to a fully updated Inventor 2021.  Having skipped that far all at once, I'm not sure exactly what version or update added this feature, and I don't know what version you are running.  But if you have it, that setting might be a solution to your issues.

[csandnas]

This sounds like what i need? Could you please
share a screen clipping of the settings menu where i can change this?

[jtylerbc]

Go to Application Options, File tab.  At the bottom, click the button called "File Naming Defaults".

This dialog box is useful in general because you can customize the file naming convention for FG files.  But in particular, we are looking for the setting "Overwrite current file for size change", which you want to turn on.

[csandnas]

Thank you! I have looked through this menu several times but didn't notice it.

And my menu is slightly different

[jtylerbc]

It's been changed a little at a time through the new versions and updates between 2018 and present.

My screenshot shows how it looks in 2021.2.2.  Releases before that will definitely look a little different.  I'm not up to speed on 2022, but it might have changed the dialog box again also.  So it's not surprising you're seeing things that look a little different.

[Jordan_F.]

I was having the same issue as this. The "overwrite current file for size change" corrects the issue for size change, but what about when you change a frame member to a different family. This still creates a new file. Then when you check the assembly back into vault you end up with files "stuck" in a checked out standstill due to the frame assembly not referencing them anymore. 

I know I can manually go in and delete all the checked out ones after I check in the frame and its dependents. I just was hoping there was a simpler way to do this. Is there? I have been scouring the forums and youtube for such a method, but its not something easily searched for.

[CGBenner]

@Jordan_F. 

In Vault (I believe it was 2020 or 2021), a new property was added called "Has Parent Relationship".  It is a Boolean (True or False) property.  This can be used in a search to find all parts where the value is "False".  Then "orphaned" parts in your Vault can be deleted in larger groups instead of looking for them individually.