Announcement
December 2, 2013

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Bob Reid, Synergis Manufacturing Solutions Engineer:
Included since last year’s release of Inventor 2013, is the addition of several sketch features.  We have received questions about the sketch features so here I am going to go over some of my favorites.
The first two are Dynamically Trimming and Extending sketch geometry.  Then I will cover setting sketch scale by placing the first dimension.

Dynamically Trim

In a new Inventor part file, a 2D geometry has been created.  At this point, what we would like to do is trim all the lines within the double lines to create a Grate.
With the Sketch Active, on the Modify panel, click on Trim:

In the Graphics Area, hold down the left mouse button, and run the cursor through the areas that you would like to trim away. This is the Dynamic Trim Feature:

Initial Sketch

Initial Sketch


Dynamically Trimming

Dynamically Trimming


Completed Geometry

Completed Geometry

Dynamically Extend

This is the exact opposite operation of the Dynamic Trim function.
This sketch feature will extend any lines to other lines.
Using the same example as Dynamic Trim, we will now extend the lines to the outside rectangle, with the Sketch Active, on the Modify panel, click Extend.

Holding down the left mouse button, cross the cursor over all the lines that you would like extended:

Initial Sketch

Initial Sketch


Dynamically Extend

Dynamically Extend


Completed Geometry

Completed Geometry

Set Sketch Scale by First Dimension

In Inventor 2013 and 2014, the first dimension added will set the scale for the part being drawn. Prior to 2013, if a dimension was added to the geometry, and that dimension was considerably smaller, the geometry would adjust according to the first dimension added. I will model both examples, the first is Inventor 2012, then Inventor 2013.
Inventor 2012:

After adjusting dimension:

We can see the geometry has not been maintained.
Inventor 2013 and 2014:

After adjusting the dimensions:

We can see clearly that the geometric relationship is maintained, and the Scale of the geometry is set.
That’s all that to it.  These simple features have saved countless hours of work and makes re-using older drawings easier.
If you have any questions, let us know.
Thanks
-Bob
See some of Bob’s previous posts:

Robert Reid graduated from Middlesex College in New Jersey with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. With over 25 years of Industrial Machine Design, including Wire Drawing Machinery, Plastic Processing Machinery, & Packaging Machinery, Robert has held various positions within the workforce, including, Manager of Engineering; Sheet Extrusion Dept, Manager of Engineering, Chief Design Engineer. He is currently an Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert.
Contact us, visit the Synergis website or subscribe to our blog.