Scale origin using Direct Edit

Scale origin using Direct Edit

andrewdroth
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Message 1 of 10

Scale origin using Direct Edit

andrewdroth
Advisor
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There doesn't seem to be a way to use the part origin to scale a body, only a faces. Is that true?

 

There also doesn't seem to be a way to edit an origin after the feature is created.

 

 

 

 


Andrew Roth
rothmech.com

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Message 2 of 10

blair
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If you use the "Derive" function, you can then use the Scale>Vector option which will then reference the model Origins. The Push/Pull can be directing in different directions by manipulated it's work-screen Tool-Icon.

 

The Move-Body command will change the Body with respect to the Origin.


Inventor 2020, In-Cad, Simulation Mechanical

Just insert the picture rather than attaching it as a file
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Message 3 of 10

andrewdroth
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Yeah I know I can do the same thing with a derive, I just wanted to keep the scaling within the same part.


Andrew Roth
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Message 4 of 10

swalton
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I'm not sure what you are trying to do, but how about the Direct Edit tool with the Scale option?

 

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-3C3258FE-E5B2-4219-BE90-BD8011580855

 

That tool should also let you move/rotate the body geometry relative to the part origin geometry.

 

 

Steve Walton
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Inventor 2025
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Message 5 of 10

johnsonshiue
Community Manager
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Hi Andrew,

 

You could also use Direct Edit -> Body -> Move to relocate the body so that it is in a different place relative to the origin.

Many thanks!



Johnson Shiue (johnson.shiue@autodesk.com)
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Message 6 of 10

andrewdroth
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@swalton wrote:

I'm not sure what you are trying to do, but how about the Direct Edit tool with the Scale option?

 

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-3C3258FE-E5B2-4219-BE90-BD8011580855

 

That tool should also let you move/rotate the body geometry relative to the part origin geometry.

 

 


Yes. That's what I'm using... But I cannot set the point at which it scales from to the part origin.


Andrew Roth
rothmech.com

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Message 7 of 10

swalton
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@andrewdroth wrote:

@swalton wrote:

I'm not sure what you are trying to do, but how about the Direct Edit tool with the Scale option?

 

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-3C3258FE-E5B2-4219-BE90-BD8011580855

 

That tool should also let you move/rotate the body geometry relative to the part origin geometry.

 

 


Yes. That's what I'm using... But I cannot set the point at which it scales from to the part origin.


What do you mean: "scales from to the part origin"?  Do you want the part geometry to move relative to the part origin by the scale factor?  

Steve Walton
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Message 8 of 10

andrewdroth
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Yes.


Andrew Roth
rothmech.com

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Message 9 of 10

swalton
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Ok.  Now I understand.

 

The issue (I'm using Inventor 2019.4) is that the scale tool won't select work geometry (like the Center Point) as the Triad Location to use as the origin point of the scale operation.  Why? Autodesk programed the tool that way.

 

Workarounds:

  1. Use two steps, one to scale the solid, the second to move it the required offset.
  2. Make some helper geometry:
    1. Create a new solid body with a midpoint or end of an edge at the Center Point of the part file.
    2. Use the Direct Edit-Scale command and select the edge center or end point created in Step 1.
    3. Scale the object.
    4. Create a new feature to cut away the helper geometry.

If you create an Idea post requesting the ability to select work geometry for the Triad Location with the Scale tool, I'd vote for it.  If it gets enough votes, Autodesk may add this reasonable functionality in the next 4-5 releases.

 

Steve Walton
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Message 10 of 10

andrewdroth
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I just split a tiny circle at the origin and used that face to drive the Direct Edit scale triad.

 

I'll look into making an idea station post.


Andrew Roth
rothmech.com

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