Inventor 2017 - Design Assistant - Rename .IDW files

[Anonymous]

Hello,

New to Design Assistant.

Was wondering how to Rename Drawing Files(.IDW) while renaming Part/Assembly Files at the same time in DA.  When i open my top Assembly in DA, i only see .ipt & .iam files, not the .idw files even with the .idw icon selected.  If i rename the part files and assembly files in DA, the .idw has a link problem.....and vise versa. 

Looking for the best way to rename .idw files and not loose links between part files that may also show up in an assembly on another sheet.

Thanks,

Bob

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Welcome to the Autodesk User's Community..

I haven't used Design Assistant in ages due to having Vault but here's a couple of things that you could do.

Load the IDW instead and rename the files underneath it.

Or load the top assembly and use the find related files using the find files functions.  You can either select a given file/search or select all of the files in the top window pane/searcg.  This way if any sub-assembly or part files have related drawings it will find them and be included in the update.

Basically you are trying to get everything loaded into the memory of design assistance.

If you are renaming the top item like a IDW or Assy (with a drawing) you can just use normal Windows Explorer or Inventor Save As.

Now someone may come along and give you a better workflow.  Like I said its been a long time since I've even touched this utility and I'm working from memory. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply!

My problem is when i open my top assembly in DA and rename part/assembly files, when i open the .idw file it doesnt like it because its trying to find the old file names.  When i just open the .idw file in DA, other .idw files that have the same part file in another assembly it doesnt like that either because its trying to find the old file again, and the top assembly file reacts the same way.  Just very frustrated, its probably something simply and i'm just missing a step......???

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Like I said..  You need to use the find file function (based on the image I provided) to load all related files into memory..  Try it and see if that resolves your issue.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately no.  When i open my top Assembly, make sure the box is checked for .idw, i select an assembly file and hit find files.  The sheet its on does come up in the window pane below.  I rename the assembly file name in the above window pane and it updates.  I close DA and open up Inventor, then open the .idw it was on and its still looking for the old assembly file name.  I believe that is what you were asking me to try, correct? 

[Mark.Lancaster]

Sorry I think I left a step out..  For the files found in the lower pane, you have to right mouse click on the action and select UPDATE once your actions are done in the upper pane.

[Anonymous]

ok, do i actually save the changes first in the top plane then hit update in the second pane below?   Sorry for being so new to this, would hate to mess up my files.

Thanks!

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Save should be your last operation before exiting design assistant. 

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

The way I know how to use the Design Assistant is first change your .idw name to whatever you want it to be through the explorer just like any standard file, R+click > Rename. Since it is at the top level it should not break any links below in the tree. Once changed again R+click > Design Assistant

R+click on Action area > Rename

R+click Name column of file row you just selected and choose Change Name

Rename all and also R+click > Edit on Part Number column values. Then click save. Should update files in explorer.

If you are not familiar with the Vault Copy Design here is a link you might find interesting:

Vault Copy Design

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.