Model State change cotation between two state alone

[bastien.dissaux]

When I create a part with several model states, some dimensions won't follow from one model to another. This will affect dimensions, and even extrusion functions, which may see their heights change on their own.

 

[andrewiv]

If you want a dimension to be the same across all model states then you will have to set the edit scope to Edit Factory Scope before you make changes.  This will apply the changes to all model states, but by default it is set to member scope which will only change the active model state.

There are two places that the scope can be changed.

[bastien.dissaux]

I already know that. What I don't understand is why, from one model state to another, inventor will change dimensions without I doing anything. Sometimes I want to create a "hole" model state, for example, but if I later delete it for one reason or another, my dimensions are no longer correct.

[James_Willo]

This is how model states works, it drives parameters and part suppression. Whatever is in your Model State table is the values it will use. Something in your model is being driven between model states which is affecting your dimensions. If you want to upload the part I can take a look at what it is that is making them change. 

[bastien.dissaux]

Here a similar part, with the same problem. I never ask to it to change the dimension. I create the first solid in main model state, then i create a new model state where i make my hole with cotation. When i go back to the main model state, the dimensions are change. But when i go back to the second model state, i refound my real dimension.

[James_Willo]

If you look in the model state table for this, you can see the dimensions are different for each state, this is because you are editing with member mode and not factory mode. 

Member mode only has one blue pencil as we only edit one state

If you click the grey pencil, we now can edit in factory mode so each state gets the same changes. 

[bastien.dissaux]

Okay... but just why ? i understand than if i want modify both model state i need to click on the pencil... but it's not what i want, i juste want add feature on one model state, but i dont want inventor change my dimension from one model state to another, where he found this dimension ? Why he change my dimension ? I never put 171 or 16 mm in inventor

[James_Willo]

The random numbers are the value it was before you changed it. 
Please see video. 
I agree this isn't particularly useful so I've passed on your feedback to our development team. 

[James_Willo]

Having thought about this further I think there is something subtle happening here. 

Most people have this option on, 'edit dimension when created.'

When you click to place the dimension, this is when the parameter is created and the value is the same for all model states.
When the value box pops up to ask you to change it, we are actually doing an edit function on this parameter and therefore it's inclusion in model states is dictated by the pencil icon. 

[bastien.dissaux]

This explain probably that. I try to check and uncheck this button, the result is the same. It's not really intuitive. So there's no real solution to my problem, apart from systematically remembering to play with the pencil depending on what I'm doing, sketch or features (because I want the same dimensions between model states, I just change the visibility of certain features).

[James_Willo]

Unchecking will make it work as expected, the problem is you end up with a random number and not the actual dimension you want. 

I've passed this to the UX designer responsible for model states so they will look into whether something could be done or not, it might also be a technical issue at code level though that means we can't change it. 

[bastien.dissaux]

I dont understand. I unchecked the button, but my dimension stay different between my two model states. But indeed, the "wrong" dimensions is the dimensions who are create before i change it. Even with the button check, the dimensions in the other model state is the one before i change in the pop up menu.

[James_Willo]

Sorry if I confused you with what I said, hopefully this video explains it. 

[bastien.dissaux]

Alright, so it's the same problem, the dimensions can't be the same. Thank you for your help, i hope this can be fixed soon for have the same cotation between model states. For the time being, I'll make sure the pencil is activated in such cases.

[andrewiv]

The only way to automatically have the dimensions the same between the two model states is to have the part in factory edit mode when the dimensions are created.  Otherwise you can edit the model state table to make them the same in all model states.  The edit dimension when created box won't change anything, as you have seen.  It simply automates the manual process of double clicking on the dimension to edit it.

A different approach might be helpful here.  If you us only the primary model state and add all features and dimensions to it first, then add a model state and suppress/unsuppress any features that you don't want to show up, then you are making the dimension all the same across both states and just changing the feature suppression.

I think what you are looking for is the ability to "lock" a dimension so that it is always the same across all model states and that is not possible.  Maybe this could be added to the idea station for future consideration.

[bastien.dissaux]

Thank you, i will add an inventor idea right now.

[Frederick_Law]

Checking, unchecking factory state AFTER the dimension is created WON'T change anything.

Need to set it BEFORE creating and changing dimension.

Edit the ModelState and enter correct dimensions.

Or edit the table and enter correct dimensions.

[bastien.dissaux]

I see that, but I think it would be more intuitive not to have to play with the pencil when entering dimensions and for this to follow from one model state to another. You might as well have an application option that allows (or not) you to lock the dimensions from one model state to another, and only have the functions that change from one model state to another.

[Frederick_Law]

Designer show know if the new dimension is the same for all ModelState or not and set "pencil" before.

It is the same with iPart which is available for a long time.

Locking a ModelState is a good option to have.

[swalton]

After working with model states and getting confused a few times, I'd like to add a bit of deliberate choice by the designer.

I like how iComponents work. I need to declare that a specific dimension, feature, or iprop is subject to change before Inventor allows different values in different iParts/iAssemblies. I'd like Inventor to have a new UI for model states that works like iComponents. That way I have to make a deliberate decision that a feature, dimension, or iProp is allowed to be different from model state to model state. Once I make that decision, then I can start editing or suppressing to create the different model states.

The current model state UI is easy to misunderstand or ignore because it is trying to be too helpful.