iLogic - rule is opening second copy of file?

[Electrik]

Hi, everyone,

I'm using iLogic to do a basic Configuration, using an IAM as a template.

The (fully populated) IAM template is opened, with the "iLogic" LOD active. Selections in a form (launched automatically when IAM is opened) drive parameters and rules, to suppress un-needed components, and adjust some dimensions. When all is finished, suppressed components are deleted, the IAM is saved as a new number, and an existing template drawing is opened, re-attached to the new IAM, and saved. This all happens thru the rule.

Everything works perfectly, except...

After the rule ends (I have a message box that verifies this), I get the following message box, even though everything worked fine.

One clue: when the template drawing is opened, the form from the IAM is re-launched. This tells me that it's opening the IAM again, in the background?

The drawing views are based on the Master LOD, not the iLogic LOD. Is this why it's opening the IAM again, and throwing this error?

[Electrik]

Did some more testing, ignoring all rules and forms:

I have the IAM open, at the "iLogic" LOD. Then, I open the DWG, which references the "master" LOD.

If I right click on the drawing view, and select "Open", it will open another copy of the original IAM, just at the "master" LOD. This seems to verify my theory. Isn't this bad, to have two versions open at once? Yes, I've double-checked, they are the same file name in the same location. I'm not referencing a copy in a different location.

How do I stop this?

[MechMachineMan]

You stop it by not using LODs. 

Each LOD causes a different set of files to be opened for the model. Try placing 2 views in a drawing; 1 of an LOD, 1 of the Master LOD and see how many files it opens.

LOD is only a memory management tool; while working with that document, all open instances - including those used in drawing views and BOMS - should be at the same active LOD, otherwise it is prone to errors (as well as not saving any memory anyways).

A better way is to use Design View Reps, which is what they are there for.

[Electrik]

I'm using iLogic to control suppression of components. Doesn't that force me to use a LOD?

How do turn my items on/off without that?

[MechMachineMan]

You aren't "turning objects on and off" though.

You are suppressing them; which removes them from memory, and which has the side effect of making them invisible.

The fact they still show up in the BOM is evidence that they aren't "turned off".

The only other option I can think of it to override the occurences BOM Structures and make them reference to remove them from the BOM. However, this can only be done at the level they are used, so if there a parts of a sub-assembly you want to remove, it has to be done through that sub-assembly.

Again, partslist in a dwg with filtering done by view rep is probably easier.