How do I create an multiple value iproperty which I can change in the BOM

[Anonymous]

In the Bill of materials I want to be able to change a custom iproperty using a multiple value list. The same way like the selection list of the BOM Structure column.

So a new iproperty column: Classification -> multiple value list (linked to te part) contains: 1, 2, 3 and 4.

I want to be able to change this "selection list" in the BOM and also in the part.

[Xun.Zhang]

Hello @Anonymous,

Unfortunately, it is not supported currently.

The workaround as below to have a multi-value parameter and check on export, then, you will find the parameter is listed in the custom tab in iProperty. and then, insert it to your BOM column.

Hope it helps!

[Anonymous]

Dank you for the reaction. 

However, isn't there a method like a rule such as the material and the appearance list?

Thanks in advance

[Xun.Zhang · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous.

Sorry, no such method so far.

Thanks!

[tyas.swinnen]

Xun,

Will this become available in the near future?

The coding behind this cannot be that complicated.(I have made an ilogic script myself to export the value of a multi-value to iProperties.) But having a multivalue that can be changed from the bom would increase our design-productivity, alot.

[Right now we have to open every part to change a multi-value parameter when a part is not made from 'plate-material'. So we select; tube, profile... (Sheet metal is automatically detected) in the parameter window. We chose the parameter 'window' to minimise the amount of different 'windows' you have to access during design.]

I believe that if multi-value parameters could be exported (as multi-value) to iProperties/Bom alot more 'design info' can be chosen from the BOM-window. Which increases the general workflow/productivity.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! There are different ways to look at this.

1) You want to have occurrence properties within a given assembly. It means occurrence 1 of PartA can have different properties than occurrence 2 of PartA, though both occurrences point to the same part definition (PartA).

2) You want part to have multiple states. Each state has a set of properties of different values. These states persist in different assemblies.

3) You want to have a list of pre-defined values for a given property to an occurrence within an assembly. Each occurrence can have a different property value. Similar to #1.

None of these can be done in Inventor at the moment. We are aware of these requirements. Currently, we are working on #2. #1 and #3 are also known requests. We don't have a good solution yet.

Many thanks!

[tyas.swinnen]

Hi johnsonshiue

Those seem like good solutions. But they all seem to be 'occurence-dependent'.

The implementation I suggested is that we would like to add a custom multi-value iProperty (in the .ipt template?). Right now we can only add; 'Text', 'Number', 'Date' & 'Yes Or No'-custom iProperties.

An extra type would be usefull.

You could change that iProperty through the iProperty-screen of the .ipt/.iam or in the BOM of an assembly. (Sort of like you can change the 'BOM Structure'-value in the BOM.)

This would make it possible to fill in even more info through the BOM window.

As an example:

A multi-value iProperty "RAL color" populated with a number of our customers RAL colors. Through the BOM of an assembly you could change this iProperty of different parts to have the desired values.

Am I making any sense or is it needed to add some more visual explanation?

(A logical extra to this would be the exporting of multi-value parameters to iProperties)

P.S. Opening a drawing from within the BOM-screen (and the BOM-window remains open) would be a real gamechanger. This seems like a doable implementation now that multi-screen in supported in Inventor2020. 🙂

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Tyas,

Your posting is very timely. We were discussing this particular request recently. We are working on a project called Alternative Representations. An updated testable build will be available soon. Please sign up Inventor Beta (https://bit.ly/InventorBeta) and try it out yourself. Some of the requirements are not implemented yet. But, you can see where the project is headed.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Johnson,

Exposing a multi-value parameter in the iPart table would be very useful. I spend a good part of my daily life creating and using custom iParts.

<Note> : I'm into "windows and doors", meaning we design and fabricate profiles and parts that fit into extensive systems. Our fabricators make custom windows and doors out of our offering. During design and documentation I build virtual windows that behave like real ones and have all the details. When I turn a profile into an iPart I put some extra effort into it to make life easier afterwards. Meaning for instance that length is of course variable, punch-out for corner connection is a clickable option, milling to accomodate for locks is pre-defined and only needs to be activated and/or positioned, and so on. <end note>

Multi-value is good to put the extra intelligence in what you design. When I have 2 types of locks, one for windows and one for doors, it makes sense to put the height of the handle in a multi-value parameter of 403mm and 1003mm since there are no other options existing. It would be nice that when you create the custom iPart child, that the handle-height parameter is exposed and, when selected, shows a dropdown with the 2 values that are defined in the iPart.

I know it could be done by creating extra lines in the iPart table but it's much more user-friendly to find all personalisation in the same window of options.

[alex_hiis6PJP6]

Hello @Xun.Zhang and @johnsonshiue 

Been looking for a solution to this request as well. Are there any possible solutions with Inventor 2025?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Alex,

I believe this can be done using Model States in 2022 (or later). Each Model State can have its own BOM table (BOM property values). Have you tried that?

Many thanks!