___ INVENTOR FAQ_ NOVEMBER 07, 2005 ___
____________________________________________________________________
New
10/10/05 Added Links to SP2 for AIS and AIP, and Vault White Papers
10/03/05 Added Multiple Hotfixes for R10 AIS and AIP. Also Augi Inventor
Group Link.
09/14/05 Added Q/A about Constraint Noise
08/15/05 Added R10 Sketched Symbol Hotfix
08/15/05 Added Vault4 SP2 link
____________________________________________________________________
### Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Rules & Regulations for the groups
2. List of all the Inventor Support Newsgroups (web & newsreader)
3. Frequently Asked Questions about R6/7/8/9
4. List of Inventor Websites and Resources
5. Bug Submission
6. Common Acronyms Used in the Newsgroups
PLEASE DO NOT CROSS POST TO MULTIPLE GROUPS. The exception to this rule is
information that applies to all releases (e.g. this FAQ, the Inventor World
Cup etc..) Post your question in the group to which version the question
pertains.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 1.Introduction
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome Inventor users,
Below are a list of several resources to help with your use of Autodesk
Inventor. There is a lot of good information listed on these sites. Answers
to the more frequently asked questions can be found in these links.
If, after reviewing these sites, you still do not find the answer to your
questions please feel free to post in the newsgroup. There are a lot of
experienced users that will be more than happy to help you out if possible.
PLEASE DO A SEARCH OF THE GROUP FIRST(see below).
YOUR QUESTION HAS PROBABLY ALREADY BEEN ANSWERED.
Please familiarize yourself with the ground rules for these discussion
groups:
http://discussion.autodesk.com/ground.jspa
Please be descriptive in your topic subjects. Subjects like "Inventor
Problems" or "HELP!" do not lend much insight and are often skipped over. A
topic such as "How do I loft several non-parallel sketches" is much more
helpful.
As some newsreader programs cannot display HTML formatted messages
correctly, please be sure to post your messages in plain text format. Most
newsreaders have an option to format the messages in this manner.
If you are having display or crashing related issues please list your
machine's specs: Processor, RAM, Operating System, Video Card, IV release &
SP #. While it may not be due to these factors it helps to determine the
cause.
When posting files please move the end of part marker to the top of the file
and zip the files to save space. The posting limit is approximately 1MB (see
below for larger files)
While posting of attachments is allowed in the discussion groups, it is
suggested that only small files be posted here, and larger files should
be posted to Inventor Customer Files, this arrangement makes it easier on
people who don't have high speed access.
You can find Inventor Customer files here.
WEBBASED Inventor CF (Customer Files):
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=121
NTTP Inventor CF (Customer Files):
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.inventor.customer-files
After posting to customer files, return to the main discussion group and
post
a notice that you have posted a file, and give the subject of the post,
along
with a description of the problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have files over 1MB Dennis Jeffrey has set up a FTP site that can be
used ftp://ftp.design-excellence.com/
Using Internet Explorer v6, go to the link above. Then go to Files
pulldown and Login as:
Username: newsgroup Password: inventor (all
lower case)
This is his own private site (not sponsored by Autodesk) and he asks that
you observe the following rules.
1. Create a folder with your name.
2. Drag & drop or copy the zipped file to your folder. Any file size is
acceptable. Any inappropriate file types or postings will result in the
loss of this FTP site for everyone. Please be reasonable in your usage.
I have tons of bandwidth, but be considerate!
3. When the file has been received by the intended person, The recipient
must delete both the file and the folder.
4. I will delete all files and folders every few days, so be prompt
about picking up the files and deleting folders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 2. List of the Inventor Newsgroups
--------------------------------------------------------------------
As of August 6, 2004 Autodesk revamped their web based newsgroups. The URLs
to the groups changed.
Below is a listing of each of the Inventor related groups and links to both
the web based and newsreader versions of the groups:
Discussion Groups Main Menu
www.autodesk.com/discussion
www.autodesk.com/discussion-feedback
Inventor Groups Main Menu
http://discussion.autodesk.com/index2.jspa?categoryID=21
Inventor
Web Based
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=78
NewsReader
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.inventor
Inventor Customer Files
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=121
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.inventor.customer-files
Autodesk Vault
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=101
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.vault
Inventor Customization (VBA and VB)
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=120
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.inventor.customization
Old AutoCAD Customer Files Group (lots of old IV posts in here):
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=126
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.autocad.customer-files
Google search of the old (defunct) Inventor Support Newsgroup
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=autodesk.inventor.support
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 3. Frequently Asked Questions about R6/R7/R8/R9/R10
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Q) Where can I find All Service Packs and Updates
A) For AIS: http://www.autodesk.com/inventor-updates
For AIP: http://www.autodesk.com/inventorpro-updates
--------------------------------------------------------------------
R6
(R6SP1)
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL403697
(R6SP2)
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL403916
--------------------------------------------------------------------
R7
(R7SP1)
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL404054
--------------------------------------------------------------------
R8
(AIS SP1)
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL3916489
(AIP SP1)
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL3916516
Hot Fix- Ghost reference to a file no longer present in the assembly
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5074396
--------------------------------------------------------------------
R9
Hot Fix - Constraints not honored during drag
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4517951
Hot Fix - Mirror or copy a part that is constrained to another causes
instability
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4572763
Hot Fix - Unable to save IDW files create in previous versions of Autodesk
Inventor
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4592232
Hot Fix - 3D DWF publish from weldment assembly can cause instabilty
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4599241
Hot Fix - Package Files cannot be viewed in the Streamline Express Viewer 5
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4583293
Hot Fix - Find Files not working in Design Assistant
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4782486
Hot Fix - Heap Errors opening IDW's and Prompted Text changing order
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4863911
Update to Inventor Style Library Colors
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL4938649
HotFix - OLE Objects not visible in Stand Alone Design Tracking
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5126862
Hotfix - Deleting a Feature Can Cause Unrelated Workaxes to be Deleted
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5126877
Hotfix - Inventor May Resolve to Files Located Outside of the Project File
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5156472
Hotfix - Assembly Mirror Command Will Disassemble Parts from Mirrored
Sub-Assembly
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5273126
Hotfix Errors When Exporting IDW Files to DWG
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5297489
Hotfix - Some IDW Files Cannot Be Opened After Migration to Autodesk
Inventor 9 Service Pack 2
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5304025
Hotfix - Parts With iMates Move When Made Adaptive
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5304048
Hotfix - Excel and/or Autodesk Inventor 9 May Become Unstable When Editing
iParts
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5530111
Hotfix - Performance slows when using the project cut feature through a
pattern
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5530559
Security Update - Local User Access
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5549329
(AIS SP1)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL4663449
(AIS SP2)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5061691
(AIS SP3)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5512389
AIS SP4)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5711670
(AIP SP1)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5512389
(AIP SP2)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5064599
(AIP SP3)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5516269
(AIP SP4)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5711704
--------------------------------------------------------------------
R10
Security Update - Local User Access
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5549329
Hotfix - Placing hole table of sheet metal parts may cause instability
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5530484
(AIS SP1)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5596411
Hotfix - Instability on Start-Up with Custom Add-Ins Loaded
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5645485
Hotfix - Automatic Merging of Rows Based on Part Number Matching
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5707935
Hotfix TS1052512 - Instability When Previewing Graphics Using Custom Addin
Yippee
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5782486
Hotfix TS1052616 - Missing Line Geometry When Exporting Views of iParts to
DWG
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5751181
Hotfix - Edit Definition of Sketched Symbol Causes Autodesk Inventor to
Become Unstable
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5800111
Hotfix - Multiple Translation issues (French Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5904294
Customize User Interface (CUI) Update
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5571150
Hotfix - Multiple issues in Design Accelerator (Localized versions Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5904321
Hotfix Master Representaion in Sub-Assembly & Other Issues (Non-English
Versions Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5942659
Hotfix - Autodesk Inventor 10 Constraints Flash Demo
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5784860
Hotfix - Autodesk Activation Update
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5620053
Autodesk Inventor 10 Service Pack 2 (For Autodesk Inventor Series 10 Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5973751
AIP Specific
Hotfix - Report Generator Output Missing Pin Names (French Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5658699
Hotfix - Inventor constraints may be lost after replace fitting
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5842457
Hotfix to address translation issues in Inventor Professional
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5904285
Hotfix - Multiple issues in Design Accelerator (Localized versions only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5904321
Hotfix - Master Representation in Sub-Assembly & Other Issues (Non-English
Versions Only)
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5942659
Autodesk InventorĀ® Professional 10 Service Pack 1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5621242
Autodesk InventorĀ® Professional 10 Service Pack 2
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5972949
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Vault 4 And Productstream4
Hotfix - Vault Browser Refresh issue with IDW's
http://support.autodesk.com/getDoc.asp?id=DL5443935
Autodesk Data Management Server 4.0 Service Pack 1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5596118
Autodesk Data Management Server 4.1 Service Pack 1
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5596070
Autodesk Vault 4 Service Pack 2
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5783401
Hotfix - Autodesk Inventor 10 Content Center Library for Autodesk
Productstream 4
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL5545263
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Q) What is Issues are there with AIS/AIP and XP SP2
A) The biggest issue is installing the AutoCAD/MDT portion of AIS/AIP. If XP
SP2 is installed and subsequently AutoCad/MDT is installed, you will likely
appear to lock up, but if left long enough it will complete the
install/update. The one part of XP SP2 that could cause anomalies with
Inventor/Vault is in the Firewall that XP SP2 adds. These should be able to
be resolved in the Firewall setup. Some fixes submitted by Microsoft are
currently being tested. Once approved, AutoDesk will announce support of XP
SP2.
Q) Can I open files created with INV R(n + 1) using my earlier INV R(n)?
A) No. Usually a new release contains new features that the older releases
did not,
hence the older file format can not deal with the new data schema.
Q) Where did my print icon go in R6/R7/R8 ?
A)You can access printing commands via File>Plot. To add the icon to your
toolbar go to Tools>Customize and click on the last tab. Highlight
Management in the left hand pane and then drag the print icon onto the
standard toolbar in Inventor. You must do this for each file type. e.g.
start a new part file and do this, then close and repeat with assembly,
presentation and detail drawing file types.
Q) Why do my decals appear as icons?
A) You likely have .bmp file types associated with a viewer other than MS
Paint. To fix this see http://www.sdotson.com/freetut/Tips%20&%20Tricks.pdf
page 8 item # 18 or download iTweak at www.sdotson.com/vba.asp
Q) Why do some of my project paths appear in red?
A) There are nested paths. For example if you have a workspace defined as
C:\project and a path defined as c:\project\parts the latter path will
appear in red. See the Autodesk Inventor File Management Document.doc on
the 1st AIS CD for
more info about projects and how they work.
Q) Why do I get an error about not being able to edit a file?
A) Staring in R6 any file referred to in a library path cannot be edited. To
edit
these files you either need to move the library file out of the library
path, edit it and then return it to the library or create a new project file
that refers
to this file as a local or workgroup (non-library) path.
Q) Where is the content library in R6/R7/R8?
A) While in an assembly, left click on the word "Model" at the top of your
browser. This will activate a pulldown. Select Library from the pulldown.
From here you can select your content and drag and drop it into the
assembly.
Q) Why can't I rearrange parts in the assembly browser in R6/R7?
A) The ability to do this in R6 was removed due to the addition of assembly
features. The feature returned in R8.
Q) What is the reflection I see in some parts? It looks like a car..
A) It's a black Mazda Miata in the parking lot of Autodesk in Tualatin,
Oregon.
http://in_the_machine.blogs.com/in_the_machine/2004/11/behind_the_chro.html
The owner is George Hudetz, a member of the Inventor Team.
The image can be viewed or changed by modifying (or replacing the car3.bmp
file located in the Inventor install directory. A spherical fishbowl image
looks the best.
Q) How can I stop Inventor from making a noise when I apply a constraint?
A) Go to the Bin directory in the Inventor Install Dir
(default C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor x\Bin)and rename or delete
connect.wav
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 4. Inventor Related Websites and Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Official Autodesk Inventor Product Information Page (linkes to other pages)
http://www.autodesk.com/inventor
Autodesk Inventor AIS Main Web Page
http://www.autodesk.com/inventorseries
Autodesk Inventor AIP Main Web Page
http://www.autodesk.com/inventorpro
Autodesk Inventor Updates listing
http://www.autodesk.com/inventor-updates
Autodesk Vault White Papers
http://www.autodesk.com/vault-whitepapers
Drew Fulford's Inventor FAQ (Over 400 Inventor frequently asked questions)
http://www.mymcad.com
Sean Dotson's Inventor Tutorials & More
http://www.sdotson.com
Sean Dotson's MCAD Discussion Forums
http://www.mcadforums.com
Charles Bliss' iParts and iCode Repository
http://www.cbliss.com/inventor
Kent Keller's iParts and Code Site
http://www.kwikmcad.com/
Charles Bliss' Inventor Parts.com
http://www.inventorparts.com
Patrick de Stobbeleir's Inventor Tool Site
http://hjem.get2net.dk/opad/
Neil Munro's How-To Articles and Tips
http://tinyurl.com/7y7p8
Ole Germer's Site (Timken bearings, Involute Gears, Roller Chains etc.)
http://www.geocities.com/olegermer/index.html
CAD Studio (Czech based but in English)
http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/default.asp?tab=2&CAD=Inventor
Jorgen Bjornes' Scanadivan Inventor Site
http://www.inventorforum.net/
Elise Moss' Tips and Tutorials
http://www.mossdesigns.com/
The Netherlands Inventor Forum (mainly in Dutch)
http://www.inventorusers.nl/index.php
MCAD Brazil - Brazillian Inventor Site
www.mcadbrasil.net
Lars Jensen's Inventor Site (Danish and English)
http://www.inventordk.dk/
German Inventor FAQ
http://www.kacaju.de/
German Inventor Site
http://inventor.cad.de/
Inventor Love (Korean Inventor users site)
http://inventor.gocad.co.kr/
LeaCar LLC (Inventor Tools & Tutorials)
http://www.leacar.com/default.shtml
JD Mather' Surface Tutorials.
http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/content/DSG322/inventor_surface_tutorials.htm
Dennis Jeffrey's Tutorials, and Free Courseware
http://www.design-excellence.com
Peer Hoffman's Worldcup Site
http://www.design-excellence.com/worldcup
Albert Thalheim Inventor VB Book
http://pages.videotron.com/thalheim/
Inventor Jobs Europe
http://www.autodesk.co.uk/inventorjobs
Autodesk Inventor Graphic Card & Driver Info
http://www.inventor-certified.com/graphics/
Autodesk's Knowledge Base
http://support.autodesk.com/enu/Homepage.asp
Autodesk Skill Builders Tutorials
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/autoindex?siteID=123112&id=3365505&linkID=4183230
Autodesk Inventor Developer Web Page
http://www.autodesk.com/developinventor
AUGI (autodesk Users Group International) Guilds
email lists for Inventor (and other product) support
http://www.augi.com/
AUGI Inventor Forum
http://forums.augi.com/forumdisplay.php?f=79
Official Autodesk Inventor Feature Wishlist Submission Link
http://www.autodesk.com/feedback-products
Autodesk Main Feedback Page
www.autodesk.com/feedback
Autodesk Product Feedback Page
www.autodesk.com/feedback-products
Autodesk Vault Page
www.autodesk.com/vault
Autodesk Product Stream Page
www.autodesk.com/productstream
Autodesk Dwf page
www.autodesk.com/dwf
Autodesk Dwf Viewer Page
www.autodesk.com/dwfviewer
Autodesk Dwf Composer Page
www.autodesk.com/dwfcomposer
Inventor UK Jobs site
http://www.autodesk.co.uk/inventorjobs
Various Yahoo Inventor Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Inventor_Parts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inventorapi
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InventorJobsCanada
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InventorJobsUSA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/woodinventor
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InventorJobsOntarioCanada
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/autodeskinventors
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inventorusers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 5. Five ways to report Inventor bugs
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Error Report (Since Inventor 8)
When Inventor crashes, the Autodesk Inventor Error Report dialog
shows up. Please include necessary information and hit the
Send Report button. The RRT (Rapid Response Team) actually
processes the report. Customer info is saved after 1st report is sent in
R9.
2. Reseller
Contact your reseller to ensure they are aware of the issue and
check if a workaround is available.
3. Feedback form
Report a bug or wish list through Autodesk web site.
http://www.autodesk.com/feedback-products
4. Newsgroup (NG)
This is a peer-to-peer support group. However, Inventor team members
occasionally monitor and respond.
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.inventor
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=78
5. Product Support (Subscription customers only)
Subscription customers can report bugs to the Product Support team
through direct phone, e-mail or web support. Subscription customers get
higher level of support. Critical issues are escalated by PS to the RRT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 6. Common Acronyms Used in the Groups
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NG = newsgroup
CF = customer files (see above for links)
iCF = Inventor customer files (se above for links)
IV = Inventor
R5SP2 = Inventor Release 5 Service Pack 2 (or any other combo of numbers)
W2K=Windows 2000
RMB = right mouse button
DA = Design Assistant
DM = Drawing Manager (a.k.a. the IDW environment)
=grin = very big grin (etc..)
for more go to http://www.gaarde.org/acronyms/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
### 7. Newsgroup Info
--------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been pointed out by Duncan Anderson that when text is enclosed
in Greater than ">" and Less than "<" brackets the text is stripped out on
the
Web side of the Newsgroup and the RSS feed. It has been reported to the Web
team, but until
a fix can be found a suggestion would be to use some other characters
to highlight text such as using brackets [ ] instead.
###PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS POST.
Regards,
Kent Keller
PS: If you have other sites that you think are useful or general comments,
reply to me by email
--
Kent Keller
Autodesk Discussion Forum Facilitator