Maintaining Filename, Part Numbers, etc - automatically?

[aaron]

I've been teaching myself how to use Inventor for a number of months now.

In this effort, I'm not using iParts, though I'm sure they could be useful. I don't understand them perfectly, aside from standardized "configurations" - if we could call them.

I use a parametric approach using a master sketch to automatically model several parts that make up an assembly.

My challenge is then naming all these files (it's a tedious endeavor through Design Assistant).

I'm trying to input a [ProjectNumber] that can then populate the [Filename] and [PartNumber] of all these files...

I thought this could be possible through the iPart/iAuthor Dialog box, but I have been unable to make one cell equal another. I know some people are able to import Excel documents (in which they perform that operation).

Say I have a few columns:

Member (filename)

Part Number

Project Number

Is it possible to have Part Number and Member (filename) read Project Number?

e.g.

Member--------------Part Number-----------Width

MEMBER-20-12     PN-20-12                  20-12

[chandra.shekar.g]

Hi @aaron,

The following blog links would be helpful.

http://adndevblog.typepad.com/manufacturing/2013/02/manipulate-rows-and-columns-of-ipart-1.html

http://adndevblog.typepad.com/manufacturing/2016/01/customize-iassembly-ipart-member-creation.html

Thanks and regards,

[aaron]

Hello @chandra.shekar.g

Thank you for the response, and it is very informative, but it doesn't quite achieve my goal. I am working on custom solutions of a product, where the geometry changes (e.g. Length, Width, Height, Gap Spacing, Width and Number of beams, etc), but the product does not.

A good example, is a Window - A window may be 4x4 with 4 glass panes, or 6x4 with 6 panes.

Master file: "100-2001 - Window Layout" - Contains data for all the other parts.

File 1: "100-2001 - Glass Pane"

File 2: "100-2001 - Frame"

...

File n: "100-2001 - xx"

It would be fantastic if I could open the Master file and type "100-2001" in the Project field, and automatically populate all the names and parameters for the other components, and save each Part with the appropriate file name (e.g. "100-2001 - Frame")

Thanks in advance..

[bradeneuropeArthur]

If you use vb.net you can use the metadataevent for this.

If you need assistance please let me know.
While in I logic this is very hard to do without understanding the API

[Frederick_Law]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Hello @chandra.shekar.g

Thank you for the response, and it is very informative, but it doesn't quite achieve my goal. I am working on custom solutions of a product, where the geometry changes (e.g. Length, Width, Height, Gap Spacing, Width and Number of beams, etc), but the product does not.

A good example, is a Window - A window may be 4x4 with 4 glass panes, or 6x4 with 6 panes.

Master file: "100-2001 - Window Layout" - Contains data for all the other parts.

File 1: "100-2001 - Glass Pane"

File 2: "100-2001 - Frame"

...

File n: "100-2001 - xx"

It would be fantastic if I could open the Master file and type "100-2001" in the Project field, and automatically populate all the names and parameters for the other components, and save each Part with the appropriate file name (e.g. "100-2001 - Frame")

Thanks in advance..

---

You can edit iPart in Excel and use excel function to combine cell values.

[chandra.shekar.g]

Hi @aaron,

Custom application can be developed through inventor Addin. For more details about Inventor Addin, refer the following Inventor API online help link.

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2018/ENU/?guid=GUID-52422162-1784-4E8F-B495-CDB7BE9987AB

We can assist in giving information about Inventor API. Please let me know if you stuck up anywhere.

Hoping that video would help your requirement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHolDSVKU8M

Thanks and regards,

[aaron]

@Frederick_Law

Thanks, I do know how to do that, but I have been unable to find a way to pass strings between different Part or Assembly files, and have the filename reflect it. That would resolve my issue.

[aaron]

@chandra.shekar.g

Thanks, That's very interesting. I think developing a custom Addin using the API is beyond my current abilities.

Ideally, as I wrote above, I have been unable to find a way to pass strings between different Part or Assembly files, and have the filename reflect it.

That would resolve my issue.

[chandra.shekar.g]

Hi @aaron,

Hoping that below blog link would help to rename part or assembly file.

http://adndevblog.typepad.com/manufacturing/2015/12/rename-file-referenced-from-assembly.html

Here, ComponentOccurence in Assembly could be either Part or sub Assembly file.

Thanks and regards,

[aaron]

Hello @chandra.shekar.g

I can semi-follow the code on the page having taught myself a little bit of VBA over the past couple months (for Excel) knowing a little bit of programming in other languages. Ultimately, I'm a mechanical engineer with other specializations - and I don't think I can manipulate my files easily using your methods... (They require a steeper learning curve).

[chandra.shekar.g]

@aaron,

To start, Parametric modelling is a best approach. There are many videos are available in YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiVhFNuX1r8

Please let us know which programming language is comfortable?

Thanks and regards,