How Do I remove Sketch Constraints

[Anonymous]

Hello Folks,

Long-time SolidWorks user...

Constraints are more difficult to deal with than they are in SolidWorks.

Their visual representation and management is problematic. When I apply a constraint like I would (easily and all day long) in SolidWorks, Inventor often does nothing. The successful application of the coincident constraint is rare. Colinear, slightly less rare. I don't get the feeling that when I "Show All Constraints" I'm getting the whole story. It would be nice if the constraint icons were more representative of their functions and easier to manage using those icons.

My current situation is a common one: I've pasted some geometry from AutoCAD and then attempt to modify (move, scale, rotate, etc.) it. Inventor gives me message that the selected geometry has constraints and asks if I want them removed, I say ""yes". I am still unable to modify this geometry.

How do I remove all constraints from within a sketch? I mean really remove all the constraints.

Mel

[Anonymous]

Though I can surmise what this message means...

"The selected geometry could not be rotated. Check Constraint Settings for Sketch Edit Tools."

And how do I circumvent it?

...And it would be nice whenever I encounter a message like this ("The selected geometry could not be rotated. Check Constraint Settings for Sketch Edit Tools."), I would also get a more descriptive clue and/or clickable link to whatever settings screen I need to access to remedy my problem.

Mel

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi melvin.burk,

You might toggle on Relax Mode, then manipulate the sketch, toggle on Relax Mode back off:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2015/ENU/?guid=GUID-A70EA377-475A-4A54-86B4-D653ED1708D0

Also, if I must paste from AutoCAD, I prefer to scale, rotate, etc. in AutoCAD first, then paste it in.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

Hello Curtis,

As far as I'm aware of, this option is not (obviously) available to me in Inventor 2013.

I pre-manage geometry in AutoCAD as much as I can. The schizophrenic point of view situation of Inventor necessitates I often modify (move, rotate, etc.) after I've pasted them into Inventor.

It's easier for me to integrate AutoCAD geometry back-and-forth with SolidWorks than it is with Inventor.

It would be nice if geometry copied from a "top" view in AutoCAD can and will be pasted in the same orientation on a sketch on the "top" (click the "top" face of that cute cube, observe orientation of part). More-often-than-not there is a less-than-optimal lack of harmony between AutoCAD and Inventor.

Thank you for your reply,

Mel

[Anonymous]

It would be great if I could just eradicate all constraints - all modification limitations - within a sketch.

Actual. Perceived. Possible future constraints. Contraints defined by someone's tea leaves in a far away land.

Mel

[mcgyvr]

You are using a version of Inventor that doesn't have relax mode and quite a bit of work has been put into the software since then to help users that aren't well versed in constraints use/view/delete,etc.. them..

I don't remember ever having problems with constraints not applying,etc.. in older versions though either.. but whatever..

There is an option to not constrain end points,etc.. when importing acad files into sketches also which "may" help you.. 

Personally there are very few reasons I would want to use autocad geometry anyways.. Modeling in Inventor is quite different.. I try to keep sketches as "simple" as possible and make use of feature level patterns and more..

A "complex" sketch in Inventor is never really a "good" idea.. 

I think its always better (and sometimes just as fast,etc...) to just create the sketch in Inventor and avoid Autocad imports.. But everyones situation is different.. 

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi melvin.burk,

 2013? I guess I missed where you stated that was the version you were using.

So to answer your question: there is no built in tool to delete all sketch constraints.

Why? Well probably because most people never have a need to do that.

But since you're copying from AutoCAD and that seems to be the issue, try this:

1. In AutoCAD copy your geometry.
2. In Inventor Paste the geometry, but don't click on screen.
3. Instead right-click and choose Paste Options.
4. In the Paste Options uncheck these options:

• Constrain End Points
• Apply Geometric Constraints

Paste Options (scroll down to the bottom of the list ) :

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2013/ENU/?caas=caas/vhelp/help-dev-autodesk-com/v/Inventor/enu...

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Curtis_Waguespack]

---

@mcgyvr wrote:

Personally there are very few reasons I would want to use autocad geometry anyways.. Modeling in Inventor is quite different.. I try to keep sketches as "simple" as possible and make use of feature level patterns and more..

A "complex" sketch in Inventor is never really a "good" idea.. 

---

Hi melvin.burk,

To mcgyvr's point: 

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com/2011/03/inventor-101-simple-fully-constrained.html

Most experienced users who employ simple sketch techniques can re-create the complex geometry that is pasted in from AutoCAD very quickly, which results in a much better model that can be edited, updated, and re-used easier than anything that is repurposed from AutoCAD. This is true for Inventor, Solidworks, and any other 3D parametric modeler.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reprimand.

I've been using SolidWorks for over 15 years.

I'm quite familiar with the "simpler is better" technique

SolidWorks is a better tool to perform work.

Mel

[Curtis_Waguespack]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

SolidWorks is a better tool to perform work.

---

HI melvin.burk,

I started out using Solidworks, many of the users on here did as well. If you want help, set your frustration aside, dig into the help files and learn what you need to learn, attach some example files here and ask what you need to ask (with more time spent providing details and less expressing frustration). and I'm sure someone one will be able to help.

But if you've made up your mind that the transition is too difficult, then you'll likely prove yourself right.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[hncarle]

I've noticed that there is one thing no one has mentioned. 

When you copy from AutoCAD you must delete ALL of the dimensions in the AutoCAD figure you are coping.  If you leave even one dimension you will not be able to rotate.  Move will still work fine.

Now when you DO copy something from AutoCAD that has no dimensions an interesting thing happens.  The figure has no scale.  The first dimension that you place will set the scale.  If the item was 2" wide in AutoCAD and you place dimension of 4" the whole thing will scale to that dimension.  Just an interesting thing.

You will then still need to place vertical and horizontal constraints etc.

P.S. I prefer SolidWorks too but work for a AutoCAD products only workplace.  I told my wife that it is like switching from a short handled rake to a long handled rake.  They are both rakes but the process is a little different. So now my resume says BOTH SolidWorks and Inventor.  No loss there LOL

[JDMather]

---

@hncarle wrote:

....When you copy from AutoCAD you must delete ALL of the dimensions in the AutoCAD figure you are coping.  If you leave even one dimension you will not be able to rotate. ...

---

Works fine for me.

Try Inventor Sketch Blocks.

(works the same as SolidWorks sketch blocks)

[Anonymous]

Hello hncarle,

I generally just paste the stuff in from AutoCAD, sans dimensions. I can normally modify (rotate, move etc.) once these elements are pasted into Inventor with no prohibitive interaction. Sometimes these elements act as if they are constrained though they do not appear to have (obvious or detectable) constraints.

The scaling trick is interesting.

Thank you for the reply,

Mel

[Curtis_Waguespack]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Sometimes these elements act as if they are constrained though they do not appear to have (obvious or detectable) constraints.

---

Hi melvin.burk,

It is possible for you to attach an *.ipt file that demonstrates the issue? If so I'm sure someone can have a look and likely determine which constraints are the problem.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[smokes2998]

Mel

after 10 years of  Solidworks and 2 years of  solid edge and 3.5 year of inventor I know what you mean

couple of tips for using the sketch tool

Use the f8 key to highlight the constraints and f9 to hide the constraints,and f7 to section through a body when sketching.

f4 and LMB to rotate the view if no 3d  mouse is available.

Also there is a option to turn the constraint placement priority from parallel and perpendicular, in the application options tab.

Also make sure your contents center data is in the same fold as the projects folder.

[Anonymous]

Hello smokes2998,

I appreciate your suggestions. I've been using the keyboard shortcuts as much as I can as, from the beginning of my Inventor usage, I printed a copy of the shortcuts.

I had already changed the constraint placement priority to "horizontal and vertical". This has made things somewhat more efficient.

I'm not sure what "Default Content Center files" are but the way it is set-up here is such that it does not map to the same location as the "Projects folder". If you could, smokes2998, please offer a brief explanation and, depending on the on-site administrator, I may be able to make that change, as well.

Thank you again,

Mel

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Mel,

The constraining behavior in Inventor does not sound right to me. Do you mind sharing an example with me (johnson,shiue@autodesk.com)? I would like to understand the behavior better since Inventor is using the same 2D sketch solver as Solidworks and many other CAD packages do.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hello Johnson,

I am using Inventor 2013.

My initial post (subsequent posts and post of other users) on the subject pretty much described my experience.

I'm learning to accept that Inventor is not SolidWorks and, therefore, does not behave as SolidWorks does...

...Working around stuff and moving on.

Thank you,

Mel

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Mel,

Many thanks for your reply! Indeed, Inventor is not Solidworks and it should not be. I don't want to get into another discussion of comparing the two products. Solidworks is a very respectful product. So is Inventor. Each has its own followers and each has strength and weakness.

I just want to get better understanding of the issue you are raising and try to identify room for improvement. Inventor and Solidworks are different in many ways but they both use the same sketch constraint solver. I cannot understand why Inventor has unique behavior in this regard. Please help me understand it.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Hello Johnson,

I guess, in addition to my previous comments, some more observations of differences between Inventor and SolidWorks - based only on my experience - are listed below:

Being able to create relations between existing, selectable geometry/reference geometry (edges, planes axis, etc.).

Being able to select these things in the feature tree.

Being able to create relations to these things without having to go through the step of determining what is selectable, selecting them, then having to "project" them into the current sketch.

Being able to always seeing elements of the currently active sketch regardless of view orientation or where the sketch resides in the z-axis. (Inventor behavior in this area baffles me.)

Point-Of-View management in Inventor is not great.

SolidWorks "configurations" are a better, simpler, more logical variant management solution than "iParts".

I'm aware I've only been using Inventor for a couple of months and have been using SolidWorks for 18+ years. I can work very fast, efficient and effectively using SolidWorks. I have previously tinkered with ProE (or whatever they call it).

I expected Inventor would be different than SolidWorks. I expected these differences would be mostly in terminology. I expected Inventor would be just as functional. I expected I would be more efficient and effective - my momentum moving closer towards my SolidWorks efficiency and effectiveness - using Inventor by now.

I'm not a programmer or developer so I'm not qualified to determine or opine why constraints function differently in Inventor than they do in SolidWorks.

I am not employed by AutoDesk and need to get back to work.

Thank you,

Mel