Update iFeature Table

[matt_jlt]

I know this has been asked before, and probably even by myself, but after years of looking, still find myself wanting / needing to update existing iFeature tables. Not the template but the existing iFeatures that have been placed.

Does anyone have a workaround for this? I don't care if i have to edit the files via the windows structured storage using an external tool do directly edit the data inside the parts.

I have found where the iFeature details are stored in the structured storage (at least i'm almost certain this is it )
I have tried a direct replace of an old stream to a new stream containing the updated information but it didn't work.

If anyone from Autodesk could help out it would be great. And i understand this isn't a supported operation but i don't care, it will save me countless hours if i can get it to work.

Alternatively, someone from Autodesk could kindly add / enable the option to update the iFeature table, even if it is via the API (I have seen the command in there that is meant to do it, but it currently only marks the ifeature for replacement)

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Matt,

Unfortunately, the ability is still not available manually or programmatically. The ide file itself is like a recipe storage. To update it, it is like redefining the iFeature.

Many thanks!

[matt_jlt]

Thanks Johnson,
I thought that would be the case but i though i'd ask. I tried replacing the file streams in the object and it didn't do anything. I Also tried to see if i could work around it by using the iFeature definitions but it seems the Copy + Delete functions don't actually work. (see screenshot below)

Are you able to tell me if the ability to update ifeatures will be added anytime in upcoming releases? It's been in the ideas station for so long and is a pretty big shortfall in the application.

Thanks, Matt.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Matt,

Anything is possible. But, I am not aware of this particular item being on the near term radar.

Another workflow you may consider is to leverage Derive. The way it works is to create the features in a part. Then derive it into the target part as a body. Use Direct Edit or Move Bodies to relocate the body. Lastly use Combine feature to join/cut/intersect with the existing body.

In this way, the derive source can always be updated. And, the change will be propagated to all consumer parts.

Many thanks!

[matt_jlt]

OK, thanks for your response. It's pretty disappointing that this isn't available yet as it would seem that it is something that would be used/ requested a fair bit.

Also, thanks for the derive part tip, but it doesn't suit a large portion of my modelling applications as my typical use is to place it onto work planes for in-place / master sketch type frames. I do it this way because its a more flexible method than content center / frame generator due to lack of flexibility in what it can do.

I might have to come up with a totally different solution for the future, maybe blocks or something and have them table driven with an external addin. Would essentially be the same thing just with the ability to be able to be updated.

If anyone else has any workarounds they use for updating iFeatures please feel free to share 🙂 as my preference is to use stock standard inventor features.

Thanks, Matt.

[dmaloneP6UFR]

Hi All,

Upon discovering this thread, seems I'm trying to do the impossible: Update the iFeatures table with new rows and have it apply to an existing iFeature. No matter what I do, the new rows don't appear in the existing iFeature table in my master file. Don't really want to have to go back and rebuild the entire master model of a product. Is there any workaround?

Cheers

[ewu9]

I'm also looking for a workaround for this.
It seems that a replace ifeature feature was built for sheet metal punch tool, but not for regular ifeatures.

Would recommend voting for the idea on the ideas forum.