Geometry / construction geometry

[Ivan_Sinicyn]

I know a lot of us struggle with construction geometry projection. By default, there is no hotkey and most of my colleagues forgetting to switch the mode simply project the geometry as usual, and then manually they have to change to construction geometry.

I suggest adding an alternative Geometry projection option.
1. Left mouse button - normal projection.
2. Shift + Left mouse button - construction geometry.

Thus, without breaking away from the process, you can project two types of geometry at once by pressing or releasing the shift button.

I hope I explained clearly.🙈

[caspar.boetchiaer]

3. Ctrl+Shift+Left mouse button - centerline

Great idea @Ivan_Sinicyn 

[Yijiang.Cai]

@Ivan_Sinicyn @caspar.boetchiaer as to quick switch the line type option between solid and construction, have ever considered to use the KEY like SHIFT to switch the line type option here? When construction option is ON as default, and pressing SHIFT key to project geometry, the result of line type is solid, and the construction option is always ON there.

As to the centerline, is it a top priority here comparing with the construction/solid line type? Thanks!

[Ivan_Sinicyn]

@Yijiang.Cai 

In principle I am quite happy with how the projection function works, but very much lacks a hotkey to change the type of line on the fly.

[dan_szymanski]

Accepted idea [67330]. Thanks!

[Yijiang.Cai]

This idea has been implemented within Autodesk Inventor 2024.2. Please review the Inventor 2024.2 What's New article here. For more information regarding how you may leverage the feature, and please review this page. Special thanks to everyone who cast a vote for it.

[Ivan_Sinicyn]

Already tried it out in the field. It's incredibly comfortable.

[cnewmanVIK]

In Application Options, I have "Project objects as construction geometry" turned on in the sketch tab.  When I am in a sketch and projecting geometry, if I hold the SHIFT key, should that project the lines as normal geometry? 

If it should, can someone confirm it works?  In 2025.2.1, if I have project as construction on, and I hold the SHIFT key, my icon changes, but it still projects as construction.

Thanks.

[Ivan_Sinicyn]

2025.2.1,
Yes, there is such a problem. Especially different program behavior depending on the mouse cursor position. In the upper part of the screen hints start blinking actively when the shift key is pressed, and in the lower part of the screen the construction geometry mode is switched off or on.

[dan_szymanski]

@johnsonshiue or @maulik_patel, can one of you please investigate the comments made by @cnewmanVIK & @Ivan_Sinicyn ?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi @dan_szymanski,

I did a quick test and found out the following. It seems to be an enhancement implemented in 2024.2, "Project Geometry Enhancement."
When Project Geometry is active, you can switch between sketch and construction geometry by holding down the shift key when clicking the geometry you want to project. This enhancement works for 2D and 3D sketches.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-8111280A-9158-489F-90E8-19D7B214B7BB

It was implemented in a way that the Shift key serves as a temporary toggle. When the key is pressed, the selected edge will be projected as a construction line. When it is released, the selected edge will be projected as a normal line.

When the Shift key is pressed, the "Project objects as construction geometry" option in the Sketch App Options is ignored temporarily. I guess it was done in this way to avoid complicated double-override behaviors.

Many thanks!

[Ivan_Sinicyn]

@johnsonshiue That's the problem I'm talking about

[cnewmanVIK]

When I project geometry when "Project objects as construction geometry" is off, using shift I can toggle between a normal line and a construction line, but when "Project objects as construction geometry" is turned on, I only get construction geometry.  It won't toggle, even though my mouse icon changes.

[Yijiang.Cai]

@Ivan_Sinicyn @cnewmanVIK I could reproduce this issue, which has been tracked as [INVGEN-83276].

Will keep you updated, and many thanks!