CADgneto

Manage your revision number

Autodesk Inventor 2008 now offer us a better option on how to manage the revision number with out having it repeating on all the sheet in our drawing file (idw). In the earlier releases, when a revision table was inserted the revision number would end up on all the sheets with the same number, why, because the revision number would be attached to the iProperties of the drawing. See Image below…

Now in Autodesk Inventor 2008 you may choose your revision number to be controlled by the sheet and not the idw. How do we manage individual sheet revision number, look at the following steps?

1. Select the revision table icon

2. The following pop up window will be as followed,

3. Select Active Sheet with Auto-Index, and also you have the option to go with Alpha or Numeric.

F.Y.I. You’ll notice now that the revision number doesn’t affect the original title block. Why, because the text parameter selected is still the drawing revision iProperties you must update or create a new title block with the sheet revision text parameter. As seen below,

4. Now your revision number is sheet base and not drawing based. If you select on edit sheet you will see there is a new section for revision number. (That where you can manually change the sheet number)

Extra information, this was the before…

This is the now…

Revise it,

Cadgneto

Can’t Create Text or Edit Text

Lately users of Autodesk Inventor 11, 10 or 9 have lost the creation of text in the idw files. This was a result of a hotfix brought by Microsoft. They are not to blame but it did create problem in Autodesk Inventor. To fix the issue we had to uninstall the Microsoft Hotfix KB918118 and then everything was back to normal. Now this solution can be put away, Autodesk has come up with a there own hotfix. Hmmmm hotfix for a hotfix, got to love the software business.

Here are the links to the Autodesk Hotfix solution.

Hotfix - Create or Edit Text in IDW Files After Applying Microsoft Hotfix KB918118

Please read the read me file before applying it.

Issue fixed,

CADgneto

The famous error 1406

If you are in the technical support business and using Autodesk product I am sure you have experienced “Error 1406”. It is not only Autodesk product that are affected by this error, but in my business it is a big issue. There are many options on how to resolve this issue, if you look at my partner, Area 31 , he has posted a couple of solutions, for you the user. I have even used his solutions myself a time or two.

Regarding this issue I have a new solution to add to the mix. I’ve asked Autodesk if there is a magic button, but unfortunately it doesn’t exist. They have directed me to the adobe website for the removal of Macromedia Flash. I would like to offer you this option too.

Remove Macromedia Flash

Now once the installation of your Autodesk Product is complete you can Re-install Macromedia Flash. They say with the new Macromedia Flash you should not run into any problems, but as you well know nothing is perfect and I have run into some problems as well.

P.S. During a network installation you might get a 1603 error, usually “Error 1603” is linked to a Windows permission issue but also can be linked to a 1406. (I ran into this issue while installing our network license at the office) If you cannot install the network license, the computer your installing it on could also be affected by the Macromedia flash.

Happy solving,

CADgneto

Multi-level Bill of Material

Here is a quick tip regarding Autodesk Inventor and parts list. We have the option of Structure and Parts only; I would like to get both of the worlds, but still have the live update. Here is the solution to make it possible.

In Bill of Material, also know as Global BOM, select the structure tab. Right click on the tab and select “View Property”. In the view property box, you have two options, First Level or All Level. To get the structure of assembly with parts and/or sub-assembly, you must select All Level. View picture above to get a better visual.

Get the real BOM

CADgneto

Redefine Isometric in Inventor

Lately I’ve been getting some interest from client in redefining Isometric view in part and assembly file. I’ve just though since the Autodesk Blog, In the Machine talk about some viewing tips, I’d would add redefine isometric view.

Here are the step we must follow to change the isometric view.

1. Select the rotate Icon.

2. Hit space bar or Right click and select “Common View”.

3. Once the common view cube has appeared we must select the view we would like to have as an isometric view. (Only a corner of the cube can be set as an iso view)

4. Once the view is selected, right click and select “Redefine Isometric”. (This will not redefine your X, Y, Z coordinate but will save the view that you would like to see as an isometric view)

Happy viewing,

CADgneto

P.S. for those who don’t know the key stroke to active Isometric View is F6

BOM with Steel Structure

In Autodesk Inventor, a Bill of Material (BOM) with steel shapes, from the content center, gives an interesting result at the quantity table. Instead of seeing the total number of parts, you see the total length of your steal shapes by default, as below. There are different ways of manipulating the BOM to show the number of parts.

Option one, override the QTY table.

1. Right click on the BOM, select “Edit Parts List…”
2. In the Edit Parts List, right click on the QTY Table and select “Format Column…”
3. Select the Substitution tab
4. Select “Enable Value Substitution”
5. Browse Properties in the “When exists, use value of” table and select ITEM QTY
6. Leave the rest as default, and select OK.

Result below has no more length.

Another option would be to insert the ITEM QTY table.

1. Right click on the BOM, select “Edit Parts List…”
2. In the Edit Parts List, select the Column Chooser Icon
3. Remove the QTY table and add ITEM QTY

If you want to change the name of ITEM QTY to QTY, go to Format Column and rename it in the Column Format tab.

One thing to keep in mind is that these settings could easily be done at the style editor.

Enjoy,

CADgneto