Add planes to folder within the model browser (workaround)

[L.Greft]

Hello, unfortunately it's not possible in Inventor to move planes into a folder if in between parts are located in the model browser. This also happens with patterns and other stuff, see also this idea post by @mcgyvr 

As an example (see also the photo), I added "Work Plane1" and "Work Axis1" then I inserted a few parts and also made a pattern. After that I made "Work Plane2" and now I want to make a new folder that includes "Work Plane1", "Work Axis1" and "Work Plane2". But if I select the planes and axis I get the following error:

"Failed to add selected items to the new folder. Accepting will retain the new folder and unmoved items will remain selected. Cancel will undo the "Add to New Folder" command."

If I accept a new folder is created, but without "Work Plane 2". Both planes are made with an offset from an origin plane, so it doesn't have links with other parts/patterns.

Is there a workaround that can give me the desired result?

Inventor 2021.3.1

[JelteDeJong]

If it can't be done manually it also cant be done with iLogic.

[WCrihfield · Accepted solution]

Hi @L.Greft.  I often run into similar situations too.  As I'm sure you are already aware of, moving things around within the model browser tree is a bit buggy.  It is true that in a scenario like you have shown in the image you posted you can't add all of those planes to one folder at one time, as they currently are.  However, one workaround I often use is to move the plane that is lower in the browser nodes up to be with the rest of them, then add them all to a folder.  However, here is one of those buggy scenarios.  When that bottom plane does not have any other components in the browser pane below it, for some reason, you can not move further up in the browser pane.  So, I simply temporarily copy & paste or place another component in some random location in model space, so that will add the extra component below that work plane in the browser pane.  Then I can move that work plane up the browser pane to where the other work planes are.  But, you usually can't just drag & drop the work plane.  So, what you do is move the other components down to below where that work planes position is in the browser pane until the work plane is together with the other work planes.  Then you can add them all to the folder if you want.  Then delete the temporary component.  At least that's what has worked for me.

[L.Greft]

Thank you @WCrihfield, this worked for me! I also had some suppressed components in between the planes (the photo was just a simple example), so I had to unsuppress those to make it work.

The actual assembly I'm working on has a lot of components and a few work planes and now I can organise everything. I still hope Inventor can solve these bugs/problems, not only for work features, but also patterns etc.

Thank you for the help!