IMAGINiT Manufacturing Solutions Blog

Blog Update: New URL and RSS

imaginitfeeds@rand.com (Mark Flayler) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:15:18 EDT

We have upgraded our blogging system. The new site allows for comments, track backs, a better archival system, and category searching.

Blog address: http://blogs.rand.com/manufacturing/

RSS feed: http://blogs.rand.com/manufacturing/atom.xml

What is an RSS feed? Click here.

Adding an RSS feed to Autodesk software: Click here.

Inventomizations: iFeature Icons and Placement

imaginitfeeds@rand.com (Mark Flayler) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:26:36 EDT

In my ongoing series of Inventor Customizations we will take a look at some options for iFeatures placement and browser recognition.

Inventor's iFeatures allow users reuse and repetitive geometry without having to remodel it from scratch each time. Typically these types of features are industry, company, or design specific. Commonly these types of features help the standardization of designs for both standard products and new design concepts.

The creation of an iFeature (.ide file extension) usually evolves from a couple of factors in design.

Does this geometry need to be standardized due to varying user design methods?
Does your company create geometry that is used as a standard in industry?
Does your design commonly go through iterations or design improvements that require remodeling?
Will the geometry be used to retrofit older designs and models?

After you have a case for an iFeature, to aid in adoption of the iFeature it usually needs two things. First is the ability for anyone to place it correctly. Second is the ability to recognize it in the design for modification.

In order to facilitate correct placement of an iFeature a Placement Help option is preferred. This is a file that is embedded to the actual iFeature when created and hence becomes available during placement. First up, draft a Word document or Adobe PDF or even a simple image of what needs to be done with your authored iFeature to correctly place it. Use the Insert Object command in the iFeature file and choose the Create From File option without linking the file.

Next, expand the 3 rd party dialog box and right click on the new object and choose Placement Help.

Now when you are placing an iFeature the little blue i icon will be available to show the user how to place your repetitive geometry.

More customization can also be had inside the iFeature dialog to create your own custom imagery for the browser tree icons. This will help users tell the geometry apart from other Inventor iFeatures. For instance, if you are using more than one iFeature in a file it would be best to tell a visual difference in the browser, and it can be good for a change of pace of the normal icon. Simply start the Change Icon command inside the iFeature file. Here you will be able to change the color and design of the browser image. NOTE: If you want a clear background you have to choose the Magenta color as a back fill (see below).

Now when the iFeature is used it will have a distinguishable icon in the browser to determine the geometry it represents or maybe just a company logo to show that it is your standardization. NOTE: Inventor needs to be restarted in order for the icon changes to take effect in the iFeature placement flyout (Manage Tab, Insert Panel). Notice some of these do not have icons and others do.

The browser can be further enhanced with the Application option of Key 1 as Browser Name. Which will put the first filter key from a table driven iFeature behind the name of the iFeature in your model history.

I hope you enjoyed this deeper look into Inventor customization of iFeatures.

Algor Design Check Free - Limited Time

imaginitfeeds@rand.com (Mark Flayler) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:05:20 EDT

Algor announced that Design Check, a first-pass linear static stress analysis tool that allows you to validate and optimize designs before manufacturing, will be FREE for 6 months. Again, FREE for 6 months, and then an extension can be requested through an Account Manager assigned when registration takes place. This is also limited to single parts (IPTs) only, which it does not state very well at all in the product page. This is a Feature limited and Time limited software.

Algor Design Check: Download Link

Available directly from within your CAD solid modeler, Algor DesignCheck includes:

Direct CAD/CAE data exchange of single parts from Alibre Design, Autodesk Inventor, CoCreate OneSpace Modeling, Inovate, IronCAD, KeyCreator, Pro/ENGINEER, Rhinoceros, Solid Edge, SolidWorks and SpaceClaim
Full associativity with each design change for most CAD solid modelers
Automatic 3-D hex-dominant (hybrid) solid meshing with refinement
Surface pressures, surface forces and surface constraints
Static stress analysis with linear material models
Displacement, von Mises stress and factor of safety contours and deflected shape
Professional design reports including images and annotations

System Requirements: Link

Q: How do I get my ALGOR DesignCheck software up and running?
A: After downloading the software, double click on the icon for ALGOR DesignCheck in the location where you saved the file to begin the installation process. You will then be prompted to fill in all of your contact data. Click "Next" and your contact data will automatically be sent to ALGOR if you are connected to the Internet. If you are not connected, you can register by phone, fax or mail by clicking the button at the bottom of the dialog box. Upon receipt of your information, ALGOR will generate a license file and send it to you via e-mail along with a License number and password to obtain your file.

Q: I want to move my ALGOR DesignCheck software to another computer. Can I do this?
A: Yes. To move your license to another computer, it will be necessary to install the software on the new machine. During the registration process, make sure to select to register by phone, fax or mail. Once the installation process is completed, go to the ALGOR web site and log into the My Account section using your existing license number and password. Once logged in, you will be able to download a license file for the new machine.

Q: What can I do if my ALGOR DesignCheck evaluation period has ended?
A: If your evaluation period has expired, please contact your Account Manager to request an extension. If you use ALGOR DesignCheck with Alibre Design CAD software, please be ready to provide information about your Alibre renewal.

You will see the integration in Inventor 2010 on the Add ins Tab. I got it all up and running in under 20 minutes.

Inventor and AutoCAD 2010 SP1s are out

imaginitfeeds@rand.com (Mark Flayler) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:13:19 EDT

The first service pack for Inventor 2010 was released today. Here are some of the highlights:

Inventor 2010 Service Pack 1 x86- Download

Inventor 2010 Service Pack 1 x64- Download

Readme - English

Some of the things I was looking for in here that were fixed:

Quick Access Toolbar now maintains customization
Crash on Hole Note command when Dimension command is active
Content Center cannot automatically discover changes made on the server
A lot of things in Stress Analysis

AutoCAD 2010 also released an update on August 19.

AutoCAD 2010 SP1 x86 - Download

AutoCAD 2010 SP1 x64 - Download

Readme - English

Now, I don't crash that often (usually once a month) in either of these programs, but the updates are always important for stability.

AU 2009 Registration and Details

imaginitfeeds@rand.com (Mark Flayler) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:54:33 EDT

Autodesk University 2009 Registrations went live on the 19 last week and I wanted to share the information as well as some new developments with the conference that make the experience more fruitful but at the same time less expensive for attendees. This is worth reading through because if you never attended AU, but you are an AU Online member (very easy to sign up and it's free) there are new benefits even if you cannot physically attend.

Highlights and Changes

Conference is now 3 days instead of 3.5 to allow for easier travel arrangements and less overall expenses to the attendees.
New Virtual conference to really eliminate expenses to almost nothing
On site Certification Exams which was done last year with great success
Industry Keynote speeches for multiple disciplines
Design Leadership Program
Power Tracks that focus on a particular product or topic this year its AutoCAD, Building, CAD Management, Inventor, and Transportation
Unconference sessions - scheduled sit downs with instructors on more personal level to deep dive topics
Professional Credits - Apply for AIA/CES and Geospatial and Civil CEU credits which are offered for most AEC classes
Exhibition - Explore the latest technology in hardware, software, and services from Autodesk developers and partners
More developed scheduling systems to make sure all time is used effectively while at the conference - when I signed up for my classes it was very easy
Plus everything else that makes AU the best perennial conference for Autodesk knowledge seekers

Perhaps the largest difference this year is the inclusion of AUv which stands for Autodesk University Virtual. The AUv experience is very similar to the AU experience in that you have access to live keynote speeches, online networking with peers and experts, but also predefined viewing of web sessions with direct interaction with the speaker. If you attended our Virtual Trade Show this past April it will be pretty similar to that.

AUv Premier Pass ($99) and Virtual Free Pass (any AU Online member) - Here is the breakdown of the Virtual event passes. Also note that any physical attending person gets 2 free Premier Passes for co-workers and colleagues.

Mark, how do you know so much about AUv, well I would like to first thank everyone who voted for Imaginit in the public poll, we a great percentage of techs that applied and got accepted. I was chosen for an AUv class on Inventor Studio and a Power Track class using Inventor's Sketched Symbols; which if you haven't taken my poll yet in my last post, please do so, I really want a good sampling of data. Here are some of the other presenters we have speaking this year:

Mechanical:

Mark Flayler

Inventor Power Track Class: It's Not Sign Language: Designing Custom Sketched Symbols in Drawings Using Autodesk Inventor

AUv Class: Hold that Pose! Still Imagery With Autodesk Inventor Studio

Elvis Sverko

90 Minute Class: Real Life Applications: Practical Engineering Purposes for AutoCAD Electrical (It's Not Just for Drafting)

Building:

George Ikonomakis

90 Minute Class: Maximize the Use of Autodesk Revit Structure Extensions

Geospatial:

Warren Medernach - Geospatial Solutions Blogger

90 Minute Class: From AutoCAD Map 3D to Autodesk MapGuide in Three Simple Steps: Connect, Stylize, Publish

Civil:

Malcolm Fernandes

90 Minute Class: LOTS More: Rules-Based Lot Grading

Hope to see you at the Mandalay Bay in December