Older Files Not Animating

[cameron.ngai]

We are trying to use Inventor Studio to animate processes for some equipment we designed about a year ago. For each assembly file, it is possible to animate all of the constraints when the animation is based on that assembly file, but it is not possible to animate the same constraints when the animation is based on a top assembly that these assembly files report to.

I know that this has more to do with the files than it has to do with the constraints because if I copy/paste all of the components of an assembly into a "fresh" assembly file, then place that new assembly in a top assembly, I can animate the constraints from that top assembly 

For instance, if I have a file A.iam, I can open inventor studio and animate all of the constraints constraining the component files of A.iam, but if I include A.iam in B.iam, then open inventor studio on B.iam, I am unable to animate these same A.iam constraints.

However, if copy all of the components and constraints from A.iam into A2.iam, then put A2.iam into B.iam, I can animate the constraints of A2.iam from inventor studio on B.iam.

Unfortunately, this is affecting a large number of our files, so I am hoping that there is a better solution than copying the components of all of these assemblies into "fresh" assemblies and redocumenting. Does anyone understand what the problem might be?

If it helps:

I am currently working with Autodesk 2024. We updated a few weeks ago, but the problem is not with this update. The newest of the "corrupted" files that I found were created around April 2025, and the oldest "functioning" file that I could find was May 2025. (I didn't look through every file, so I am not confident that the actual newest corrupted file predates the oldest functioning file). I am not sure if we updated Autodesk between April and May 2025, but I will try to get that information and update this post tomorrow.

I've noticed that when I right click all of the "corrupted" files, the Adaptive option is unclickable, but all of the functioning files have this option. I don't know if this is related.

I've attached a folder demonstrating the issue.

CN_ERROR_DEMO.iam was created by copy pasting one of the "corrupted" files, then removing all but two parts and one constraint.

CN_NO_ERROR_DEMO.iam was created by copying the two parts and one constraint from CN_ERROR_DEMO into a new assembly file.

CN_TOP_ASSY_DEMO.iam contains both of these assemblies, and attempts to animate the one constraint from both assemblies. The constraint within CN_NO_ERROR_DEMO.iam animates just fine, but the constraint within CN_ERROR_DEMO.iam does nothing whatsoever.

EDIT:

I looked into it, and we did not update Inventor between April and May of last year, so the problem does not have to do with Inventor versions.

[cameron.ngai]

I looked into it, and we did not update Inventor between April and May of last year, so the problem does not have to do with Inventor versions.

[lauri_barnhart]

Hello @cameron.ngai, we appreciate you posting your question.

I wanted to follow up to see if you're still facing this problem?

If you were able to fix the issue, please share what worked for you.

If the issue persists, let us know with an update so we can assist further.

Regards,

Lauri | Community Manager

[cameron.ngai]

We have not resolved the issue yet.

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi @cameron.ngai,

Many thanks for sharing the files! I tried animating the constraint on Inventor 2024.4.1 update. And it seemed to work fine. Please take a look at the attached video.

Many thanks!

[rosie_lucas1]

Hi @cameron.ngai - I hope you are doing well!

I wanted to follow up—did the feedback and video that johnsonshiue posted clarify things for you? 

If so, please consider selecting "Accept Solution." It makes it easier for others to find helpful info. 

If you’re still having trouble, feel free to reply and let us know. We’re happy to assist. 

All the best, 

Rosie | Community Manager