Reset constraint limits to snap back parts together

[lamp1204]

Hi,

I use a lot of Mate/Flush constraints in my assembly, and most of them have a limit activated so i can move them freely in one axe direction from a surface of another part to which it can't go through. When i toggle off the limit box, my parts snap back together (which is useful when im not analyzing movement between parts but that i'm actually assembling/creating).

Is there a way, either a button or a macro that would allow me to automatically toggle off the limit of the constraint? or snap them back in place? If by macro, i guess toggling every limits of every constraints twice in a row would be the simplest way but i am not good enough to write macros...

If you know what i'm trying to reach and know the solution, thanks for letting me know. If you have a question, i'll do my best to explain myself better.

Thank you

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I believe you want to turn off "Use Offset as Resting Position" option in the Limit Constraint (edit the constraint and expand the dialog).

Many thanks!

[lamp1204]

Hey, this is a little feature I never noticed/knew the way it worked.

Fun fact, it is turned off on every constraint i have. Turning it on is something i already prefer actually, but to explain my "ideal" solution in case it does exist :

- Be able to move parts just like when "Use Offset as Resting Position" if toggled off so they stay away and do not snap back into place.

- Be able to snap all of the constraints back in place with a single button when im done (25 mate constraints at the same time), just like when you release your mouse from the part when "Use Offset as Resting Position" is on.

[hollypapp65]

Try Positional Representation.

[SBix26]

To expand on the excellent suggestion by @hollypapp65 , make your Master Positional Representation with the checkboxes on (everything snaps back to its resting constraint value).  Then create a "loose" postional representation with all the constraints overridden and the checkboxes off (no snap-back).  You can toggle back and forth between those PRs pretty easily.

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025.2.1 | Windows 11 Home 24H2

[lamp1204]

Hi, thanks to you and @hollypapp65. This idea will work for me but there's a last little detail i want to check with you if possible. My master works for creating (snap back / box checked) and then i created a second position in the representation folder. The thing is, when i override my "mates", the only available options are in relationship, and then either supress (but then my components can go across other components they shouldnt, compared to simply checking the minimum box in constraint mate so the component could move but be restricted one side[when in master view]) and second option available is "Value" which sets it to a precise position but i can't mess around with it freely.... 

When i was in master position/representation, i could check the minimum box in the limits of my mate constraint, so that it would be able to move freely in one axe direction but still couldnt go across the component it was mate from. that's what i'm trying to reach in the second representation

[SBix26 · Accepted solution]

I think you will have to create two completely separate (but almost identical) constraints and suppress one and enable the other for each positional representation.  Model states might give you more flexibility, but I confess I haven't tried it.

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025.2.1 | Windows 11 Home 24H2

[lamp1204]

Bingo! I put two identical constraints. One that snaps back with "Use offset as resting position" activated, and another one with minimum limit activated. In my master representation I get my assembly to always snap back together so i get to keep creating and in my secondary representation, I suppress the constraint with "Use offset as resting position" so I get to move them freely in the axis but it still keep in mind the minimum which limits my part to go across the other one it's mated with. Thank you!