Hypothetical: Copy sketch blocks without duplication of user/renamed parameters

[AlexFielder]

Hi all,

Let's say I have a part file with a sketch block contained within. The sketch block defines a sheet metal profile that I ultimately wish to derive into an assembly and then extrude to make a solid.

I can carry out the usual geometry creation and add user parameters where required such that these parameters are included in the resultant derived part.

Now let's say I need a copy of said sketch block that refers back to the same user parameters (because the resultant extruded profile could be a different length to the original). I can manually copy said sketch block but in doing so Inventor seems to always copy any user parameters referenced within that sketch block.

So what are my options?

1. create user parameters outside of the sketch block that can be referenced by both original and (subsequently) copied sketch block?
2. use the API to copy the sketch block?
3. manually copy the sketch block and use the API to loop through the parameter values in the original sketch block replacing the newly created user parameters with the original parameter name when the value exactly matches the original?

I haven't attempted any of these as yet, but on the surface they all seem viable.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks,

Alex.

EDIT: Scratch #1 off the list inside Inventor 2016 Professional! Doh!

[wayne.brill · Accepted solution]

Hi Alex,

I would expect that if you use the API to copy the SketchBlock the parameters the SketchBlock is using will be added to the parameters of the part similarly to using the User Interface and manually copy the SketchBlock. The copied SketchBlock needs those parameters or it would be corrupt. If it used existing parameters with the same name it could be not what the user intended so the parameters are newly created with a different name.

I am not sure I fully understand your work flow but do you want to have the same sketchBlock with a different name that is a copy of an existing SketchBlock? The SketchBlock is 2D and defines the profiles for the extrusions. What is meant by "different length" in this statement?

 "resultant extruded profile could be a different length to the original" If it is not the length of an extrusion but a different value in the SketchBlock could you not just have another SketchBlock for this different shaped profile?

I believe what you are trying to do is overcome the behavior of the Default Inventor behavior. This should be posted on the Inventor Idea station. Maybe a setting could be added that would force the Parameters all ready existing in the part the SketchBlock is pasted into to be used.

If you do not want duplicate parameters used by different SketchBlocks than you could use the API to go through the dimension constraints used in the SketchBlock and change the parameter property to the one you want it to use and then delete the Parameters that were created by copying the SketchBlock.

I hope I understood this issue enough to be helpful.

Thanks,

Wayne

[AlexFielder]

Hi Wayne,

I will (when I get time) add an Ideastation post entitled "Enable an option to keep reference to named parameters when copying (dimensioned) geometry" or similar.

Thanks for your time/feedback.

Regards,

Alex.