Link IDW and IPT with Different names

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Just Curious and would like to seek your advice..

Is there any way to link IDW with different file Name of ipt or Iam.

This will be 1 to 1. i.e "1idw" link to "1iam" or "1ipt" but both with different file names, and in same location.

i think, this function will give us more flexibility with part naming, but still helps to Maintain link.

During the design proposal stage, we name the part all sorts, like, pillar, guide bush, web etc. But while creating the "idw" at later stages need to generate the Drawing number, and our practice is to rename the IDW same as Drawing number, this in turn will  causing the link to be broken.

i can use the Design assistant to rename the parts, but it is very much time consuming considering when number of parts are more.

Any other work around this problem, please advice...

Thanks and Best regards,

Pavan 

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi pavan47,

I think the generally recommended strategy is to adopt a generic numbering scheme and create your models using it from the beginning.

So instead of pillar.ipt, you have 090816-001.ipt

Instead of guide bush.ipt, you have 090816-002.ipt

The next day you create another part, but instead o web.ipt, you have 090816-003.ipt

So every model has a unique file name that does not change.

To document these files you would have 090816-001.idw, and it details 090816-001.ipt

090816-002.idw, details 090816-002.ipt, and so on.

When you assemble the parts that file might be 090816-004.iam

In my examples the numbers have no meaning, they simply reflect the date the model was created on 09.08.16, and they are generic on purpose.

Sometimes companies attempt to build meaning into the part numbers such as:

Purchase Parts start with 400,

Fabricated Parts start with 300,

Weldments start with 600,

and so on...

In the long run the meaning of the part numbers gets lost and the number system becomes confusing. So most people would suggest a more generic, meaningless numbering system, that is easy to use, and ensures a unique number for every model, something like the one I suggested in my examples.

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

[SBix26]

After re-naming the model file, open the drawing.  Drawing complains about missing model file, simply click on the re-named model file, and all is good.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2017 R2
Vault Basic 2017
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1
Inventor Certified Professional

[Anonymous]

You can use a Windows renaming app like this :   http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

I doubt Autodesk recommends using a tool like this for Inventor files...but if you are renaming .idw and .dwg only, you won't be breaking any file associations with the model files.

However, if you use this tool to rename model files (.ipt and .iam) you WILL BE breaking file associations and will be getting the "Unresolved files/links" dialog...so use with caution.