Replace Sketch References

[ljordan]

When there is a lost reference (projected geometry), I would like the option to replace it.

Right now, you have to delete it, select new one, AND then reconstrain.

For the picture below (just to simulate my complaint), I modeled a box, and then created a cut extrusion through it (the circle).  After doing so, I decided to split the box in half, making upper half a solid body, and the lower half a separate solid body. The lost reference is in magenta.

I understand that the reference rightfully is lost, but I want to be able to repair it. Yes, this particular model would be an easy fix, but complex parts could be a pain, ESPECIALLY in top down modeling where there is lots of referencing going on.

[karthur1]

Exactly... more control over sketch dimensions....

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/More-control-over-sketch-dimensions/idi-p/3824727

[stuartmp]

I agree, but in this case can you not just break the link on the projected geomerty then re-project it and re constrain it.

I agree is a lot of work but you can recover your model.

I to would like to see a option to recover this lost projected geomerty as well, but at the end of the day you will probably be clicking about the same amout to fix it as inventor needs to know each point you need to re-define etc.

[ljordan]

Stuartmp, yes this one wouldn't be bad, but depending on the geometry and how many dimensions, you are stuck with either a lot of re-dimensioning or redundant geometry. I like Inventor ten times better, but one nice thing about Pro/E is that when sketch geometry is lost, you can redirect all constraints and dimensions to a new reference with one click.

[stuartmp]

Wow, I had no idea that Pro/E had a method of resolving detach dimensions.

I stopped doing skeletal modeling due to all the problems that occur when you encounter un-referenced geometry.

The problem gets even worse when you are linking parameters and some of you dimensions lose their reference. It such a pain like you said to fix it up / re attach.

--
Sent from my HTC desire Mobile Phone

[DRoam]

FYI, see a related request here: Redefine sketch should be keep associativity of projetced curves

These two ideas address two very important needed functionalities. The one I linked to is for "Redefine Sketch" to not lose projected references. This applies when the RECIPIENT (sketch) changes.

The other (this one) is for the ability to manually re-define projected sketch references. This applies to when the SOURCE (original projected geometry) changes.

[ljordan]

Thanks, DRoam.

I checked out the idea and gave it some kudos.

I agree with you. The redefine sketch and keep previous references is much needed functionality as well.

[AttilaFarkas]

Hi,

Great Idea, I gave my KUDO and thanks for the KUDOS for mine.

Regards,

Attila Farkas

[DRoam]

Here is Fusion's solution for this, added in an update just a few days ago: YouTube: QUICK TIP: Fix Lost Sketch Projections.

[Anonymous]

Hi! Please add change reference option not only to drawing files but to 3D modells as well!

Thanks in advance!

[F.Steinhorst]

If Inventor lost the link to the projected geometry (curve, line and so on), it would be very nice to have the ability to remap the line to a new geometry without loosing added measures.

In example:

- click the sketchline with right mous click

- select "remap geometry"

- select the new geometry

- the line would be edited and add to the new geometry as projected line and takes over its size and position and so on.

(only possible for line to line and circle to circle and if the line would not change in axes)

[jesserop]

It would be a big time saver for Inventor users to be able to redefine a missing reference within a 2D sketch. 
Especially when working with project cut edges it is a massive pain to tidy up a sketch after a big modelling change. 

When a sketch has lost it's workplane it is already possible to redefine te sketch to a plane, this should be possible when a line lost it's reference aswell, instead of deleting the line and all the constraints. Which is the fastest workaround at this moment and time. 

[swalton]

See existing related ideas:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/replace-sketch-references/idi-p/4793413

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/change-reference/idi-p/9863980

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/more-control-over-sketch-dimensions/idi-p/3824727

Fusion 360 has it: Why not Inventor?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9kxUfBIvo

[MJH_]

Excellent idea, this really needs to be implemented.

[Anonymous]

That would be a huge time-saver. 

Thank you jesserop for saying how we all felt.

[gareth_mooreZJRD6]

Yes, this is a very useful feature that exists in Creo. Have recently moved back to Inventor from Creo and miss this "replace sketch entity" functionality. Tedious having to redraw and redefine associated references.

[NOEL_GETTINGBYCZTUC]

+1 for this idea. The inability to relink/reroute/replace sketch references/projections is definitely one of the most frustrating things about Inventor.

[NOEL_GETTINGBYCZTUC]

10 years and this is still gathering support? How many more votes do you need?

The stupid thing is that this functionality is available for adaptive references. The adaptive references are shown in an expandable list in the model browser and the RMB menu has options for: Delete, Break Link, Redefine, etc. Sick references are also highlighted in red making it easy to identify broken references. This is pretty much the exact functionality that the OP was suggesting and it works perfectly.

If this functionality is available for these adaptive sketch references, then why not for all sketch references?
@johnsonshiue you're the only Autodesk representative that seems to take any notice of these forums, do you have any insight for us?

[Yijiang.Cai]

Many thanks for posting the idea, and tracked as [INVGEN-82444]

[dan_szymanski]

Accepted idea [INVGEN-82444]. Thanks!

[ljordan]

Awesome! Exciting news.