Thicken doesn't show subtract option

[SharkDesign]

Anybody know why the subtract option isn't available?

The first time I launch the thicken command, all the options are greyed out, but once I choose quilt and switch back to face they are all suddenly available. 

The second time I launch the tool subtract is available.

Video:

Screencast will be displayed here after you click Post.

7ea358c9-524e-4eb0-82b2-91617fa8a615

[TheCADWhisperer]

Attach file here.

Obvious question, do you have something to subtract from?

[SharkDesign]

Yep, happens on any file, but only the first time I launch the command. If I use the thicken command then start it again the options come up first time. 

You can see in the video I posted. 

[SharkDesign]

Not sure if the screencast is showing for you, if not here it is again. 

[torbjorn_heglum1]

To remove material, I normally just change offset direction (below the distance textbox)

Torbjørn

[blandb]

@torbjorn_heglum1

That works too!

But if you uncheck automatic blending, this the cut options appears...

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! This confusion comes up from time to time. On Inventor 2012, there was an effort to make Thicken works more like a direct manipulating command operating on solid face. So, the default was changed to "Auto-blending" checked. This means the the face will in the face normal direction without new faces created.

To access other operation types, just uncheck "Auto-blending" option and all Thicken operation types will be available.

Many thanks!

[SharkDesign]

I've just gone to look at the tool again. What you say is right, but what is happening is that when I choose Quilt, Automatic Blending is unticked, when I switch back to Face, Automatic Blending is not turned back on so I still have access to the subtract command. 

This is very confusing, but I don't really know how you'd fix that.

Automatically re-enabling the blending option would also confuse users because it would look like it was impossible to get subtract with the face option. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi James,

I agree with you. The behavior was confusing. I cannot count how many similar questions about this that I had to reply to. It was not a well-thought-out design. We are modernizing Inventor UI and workflows. Hopefully, this kind of issues will be resolved soon.

Many thanks!

[Khoa_NguyenDang]

Hi @johnsonshiue 

That's great to see your explanation about this confusing problem of thicken feature in Inventor 

I am writing code to create automatically solid for all faces that I selected 

But with the part create from Make Component in Multi Solid Part. For the first time, I use my code for Thicken Feature. It shows the error.  I think the reason is from what you explain about Thicken

Have you had experience in code for thicken feature? If yes, hope you can help me 

Thank you so much 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I know a little bit about iLogic. I am nowhere near an expert. The way I look at iLogic is that it is very close to doing something manually but in a more structured way. If you can do something manually in Inventor, chances are it can be done in iLogic (rule or VB.net code).

For this case, I suspect you will probably need to turn off "Auto-Blending" option in Thicken command (Inventor API) just like you do in manual workflow.

Many thanks!