Question about hierarchies in windows explorer

[wancrum]

Hi all,

I have a question about hierarchies in Windows Explorer. I am using Inventor 2016. I am trying to construct tables for my job and these tables often use the same parts. Some are the exact same size from table to table, like a corner brace, while others vary in lengths like a skirt. My question is if I (save as) a part from one file into another table's folder what constrains the dimensions in that particular part file version to the new assembly? The problem I am having is that once a part is changed to make a new table it automatically updates a previous table in another folder. Do I have to save as and give the part a specific name each time I do a new assembly? Thanks for any help with this.  

[wancrum]

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[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

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@wancrum wrote:

Hi all,

I have a question about hierarchies in Windows Explorer. I am using Inventor 2016. I am trying to construct tables for my job and these tables often use the same parts. Some are the exact same size from table to table, like a corner brace, while others vary in lengths like a skirt. My question is if I (save as) a part from one file into another table's folder what constrains the dimensions in that particular part file version to the new assembly? The problem I am having is that once a part is changed to make a new table it automatically updates a previous table in another folder. Do I have to save as and give the part a specific name each time I do a new assembly? Thanks for any help with this.  

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Welcome to Inventor..

Yes.. A part is a single file and an assembly simply links to those files and does not consume or include them in itself..

As such when you modify a part its going to change anywhere that part is used.. As it should..

So yes.. save copy as is the first way..

There is also some productivity tools called save and replace component and many other things..

In fact getting some training would really help as its hard to provide all that here over the internet..

One can talk for hours about how/what you should know,etc..

I would highly suggest you look into iparts/iassemblies too..

That allows a single "factory" file and you create multiple "like" versions of the same part..

iparts

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014...

iassemblies

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016...

There are other techniques too but I always like to see people start with those tools first and then move on to skeletal/multi-body models to quickly drive a whole new table and components from just editing a few parameters in one file..

Or ilogic

Or icopy

or various other methods 

[Mark.Lancaster]

@wancrum

Welcome to the community..

If you are using the same file across different table models..  When you change that file it changes where ever its made.   Windows Explorer has nothing to do with it.  Its all based on your Inventor project folder.  IF you have common parts.  Create a library definition in your project file and put them in a common location.

[wancrum]

Okay thanks. I am looking into iparts now.