Feature Request: Ability to Redefine the Origin and XYZ Axes in an Existing Part File

[Ahreum_Park]

Dear Autodesk Inventor Development Team,

I would like to suggest a new feature enhancement for Autodesk Inventor that would significantly improve modeling flexibility: the ability to redefine the part origin and XYZ axes—not just the visual orientation, but the actual coordinate system used by the part.

Currently, users can adjust the ViewCube or set a new Front/Top view, but the internal coordinate system (used by work planes, sketches, constraints, and export references) remains fixed based on the original base features. This can be problematic when:

• A part needs to be reoriented to match a different assembly or coordinate system standard.

• A model was created in an unintended orientation and requires correction.

• The current coordinate system does not align with downstream manufacturing or simulation requirements.

Proposed Functionality:

• A tool to redefine the part origin and reassign the X, Y, and Z axes direction.

• Optional update of dependent features, sketches, and constraints to follow the new coordinate system.

• A user-friendly interface with preview and rollback options.

Why this matters:
Changing only the view does not help when exporting files, using model-based definition (MBD), or integrating with CAM/CAE tools. A true coordinate system redefinition would offer users much more control and save time that is otherwise spent on rebuilding geometry or using cumbersome workarounds (like reimporting parts or using derived components).

Thank you for considering this suggestion. I believe this feature would be a valuable addition for engineers working with complex assemblies, imported data, and multi-software environments.

Sincerely,

Ahreum Park

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

You can now change the orientation of your part model with a single command using the Direct Edit tool.

[Ahreum_Park]

@kacper.suchomski 

Thank you for your response. I’m aware of the Direct Edit tool, and I understand that it allows reorienting the part geometry.
However, what I’m requesting is not just a visual reorientation of the model, but the ability to fully redefine the actual part coordinate system (the origin and the X, Y, Z axes) that the part file uses internally.

Currently, even if we rotate the geometry, the underlying origin and axis directions remain fixed based on the original creation of the part. This causes issues in cases such as:

• When we need to align the part to a different assembly or a standard coordinate system,
• When a model was created in an unintended orientation and needs to be corrected,
• When working with downstream tools like CAM or CAE that rely on the part's coordinate system.

Without this capability, we often have to rebuild geometry or use cumbersome workarounds like derived components.
My suggestion is to have a tool that allows redefining the true part coordinate system, saving time and improving workflow flexibilit

[kacper.suchomski]

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@Ahreum_Park wrote:

• When we need to align the part to a different assembly or a standard coordinate system,
• When a model was created in an unintended orientation and needs to be corrected,
• When working with downstream tools like CAM or CAE that rely on the part's coordinate system.

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All of these situations can be resolved using the Rotate command in the Direct Edit tool.
I know this from years of experience.

From a model definition perspective, it doesn't matter whether you snap an axis to an edge or an edge to an axis.
The model definition result will be the same.

Today, you have tools at your disposal that will solve your problems. You just need to use them.

[Ahreum_Park]

Dear @kacper.suchomski 

Thank you for your answer. I understand that the Rotate command and the Direct Edit tool can reorient the geometry as needed.

However, what I’m requesting is not just a visual reorientation of the model, but the ability to redefine the part’s internal coordinate system itself (the origin and the X/Y/Z axis directions).

Currently in Inventor, even after rotating the model, the underlying coordinate system remains fixed to the original orientation. This creates issues when:

• Aligning a part to a different assembly or a standardized coordinate system, or

• Ensuring consistent reference coordinates for downstream processes such as CAM or CAE.

In other CAD systems such as Visi, it is possible to define a new coordinate system and set it as the default reference, effectively replacing the original origin for the part file. If a similar capability were available in Inventor, it would reduce the need to rebuild geometry or create derived components solely to correct the base orientation.

If such a function already exists in Inventor and I am simply unaware of it, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know.

I believe this enhancement would greatly improve workflow flexibility for many users.

Regards,

Ahreum Park