Inventor Content Center: Adding Information
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like2,600 views
This document provides an overview of the speaker's background and experience with CAD software like AutoCAD and Inventor, as well as content center management. It then discusses best practices for setting up and managing an Inventor content center, including creating read/write libraries, defining categories and family tables, editing family tables, and publishing parts. The speaker offers to help customers develop customized Content Center implementation and training plans.
![Method #1
Single or multiple family table - [PERFERRED METHOD]
By copying at the family table level all of the related category
structure comes along for the ride
Copying Categories](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/inventorcontentcenter-addinginformation-140630140309-phpapp02/85/Inventor-Content-Center-Adding-Information-16-320.jpg)
Inventor Content Center: Adding Information
- 1. WELCOME Adding information in your Content Center
- 2. • Started @ Synergis Aug 2013 • MSD Help Desk Technician for the Autodesk manufacturing & Vault product lines. • Degree in Mech. Engineering and CAD/CAM • Background in Lean Mfg and Continuous Improvement • Self taught AutoCAD user • Release 9 • Supported it for over 15 years • Inventor since Release 2008 • Content Center • Frame Generator • Routed System • 20+ years of CAD experience • 15 years of 3D modeling • 5+ years as a CAD manager and Vault Admin My Background
- 7. Standard components or other types of Inventor part files that are often being modified in your organization should not be considered a content center part and it is recommended to keep them outside of this structure. Controlled environment where standard components (Inventor part - .IPT only) such as fasteners, steel shapes, piping components, your standard items, and etc. are stored, accessed and placed into an Inventor assembly. What is Content Center?
- 8. • 2 Types • Desktop Content: Locally stored, typically not shared • C:ProgramDataAutodeskInventor <version>Content CenterLibraries • Autodesk Vault Server: Shared and managed by the vault database • Autodesk Data Management Server Console (ADMS) • Shared Desktop Content: Unofficial Inventor Content Center • Network located and shared • Typically not supported by Autodesk. • Autodesk provides numerous read-only libraries (as part of installation) • Never be modified • Important Note: Content Center interface accessed through Inventor Content Center Info
- 9. • Need a read/write library • Appoint a team to be in-charge • Have a plan • Information to be added/when • Unique member (file) naming convention • Backup regularly • Vault Admin, Content Center Admin, or Content Center Editor role. • Build your structure wisely • Parts only, no assemblies. • Exclude often changing parts, overly complicated, and iLogic requirements • Alike but based on different specifications, should be kept separate. • May require additional information (Advanced Content Center Class) • Create multiple read/write libraries for your organization • Content Center does not maintain the actual 3D model • Overall this process hasn’t really changed over the years Before you get started!!!
- 10. • Autodesk Vault Server (Part 1) • User logs onto the ADMS console • Must have Vault Admin or Content Center Admin role assigned to account • Expand Vault tree • Right mouse click on Libraries • Select Create Library • Assign Display Name (name of library) • Select Partition (Inventor version) • ADMS console will assign the database name. Creating a read/write library
- 11. • Autodesk Vault Server (Part 2) • In Inventor, edit your (vault) project • Project must be in a read/write state • Select Configure Content Center Libraries. • Place a check next to new read/write library • Save active project Creating a read/write library
- 12. • Desktop Content • Autodesk has already provided a read/write library called My Library • Recommend: Leave this one intact and create your own. • Edit your active (single user) project. • Project must be in a read/write state. • Select Configure Content Center Libraries. • Select Create Library • Assign Display Name (name of library) organization • Confirm the library is selected for use • Save active project Creating a read/write library
- 13. • Located on the Manage ribbon tab • No files loaded, editor located on the Tools ribbon tab • May look like Windows Explorer but it doesn’t function that way. • Project file: Load only the libraries you need • No locks First come, last served • Vault version: Beware of idle times exceeding 30 mins • Work in smaller chunks – Apply changes every so often • Grayed out info belongs to a read only library Content Center Editor
- 14. What is a Content Center Category? Basically its a folder containing sub- categories and/or the related family tables What is a Content Center Family Table? Looks like a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and contains all of the required information to define the component. Like a vendor catalog that outlines the part’s information Categories & Family Tables
- 15. • Always copy categories before manually creating them FOR EXAMPLE Your company has a special hex bolt that you want to place in the same existing structure as the other fasteners are. If I manually create the category structure (Fasteners/Bolts) in my library… Toggle the library view back to the merged view setting.. There are two categories now!! Creating your own Categories
- 16. Method #1 Single or multiple family table - [PERFERRED METHOD] By copying at the family table level all of the related category structure comes along for the ride Copying Categories
- 17. When the copy structure is selected for a given category, the entire structure underneath it will also be included Method #2 Only when requiring the category structure By selecting the lowest sub-level category Copying Categories
- 18. Method #3 Categories and all related family tables By selecting the category, all of the related sub-categories and family tables will come along for the ride Copying Categories
- 19. Helpful Tip Add your company name to the copied family table to indicate it has been modified for your company. Copied Family Tables
- 21. YELLOW (lightning bolt): Information has been changed and has not been published back to the library BLUE: Information is under the control of the column expression RED: Column is a key column. A key column is associated to the questions that are asked when a content center component is placed into an assembly. Editing Family Tables
- 22. • Communicate to your team you are editing a family table • Create all necessary columns Columns can be added at the end or anywhere, order does not matter Define Column name and Caption (Recommended to keep them the same) Editing Family Tables
- 23. • Define Column Expression if required • Use &” “& for spaces before and after column variables • Map To Inventor Property • Set up key columns • Consider using the “display name” feature Keeping all the information alike makes it easier to follow and manage later on when there is an issue Editing Family Tables
- 24. • Avoid the <ESC> (ESCAPE) KEY • Populate the table with your information • When adding or modifying existing members, use Copy/Paste to leave original information intact. • Periodically select APPLY or OK to publish your information • DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END Editing Family Tables
- 26. STEP 1 Create the category STEP 2 Define the iPart STEP 3 Publish your part STEP 4 Create the family table Family Tables from scratch
- 27. Set your library view to your read/write library in order to create your categories Step #1: Creating Categories
- 28. • Model (or download) your content center component • Define parameters/iProperties • Create an iPart • Create an unique member name • Always include the Part Number field • Only add information that will change • Define at least one row • Keep it simple • Save your iPart If you downloaded a model and there is no information that needs to be applied to the iPart table, add at least one iProperties to it Step #2: Defining iPart
- 29. Which library Location (Category) Mapping Category Parameters (ADV Content Center) Key Columns Prior to publishing, recommended to set your Inventor color scheme to “Presentation” and turn off all visible sketches, work planes, axis, and points Step #3: Publishing the part
- 30. Family Properties Same folder name can be used as long as there are unique member names residing in it Step #3: Publishing the part
- 31. • Communicate to your team you are editing a family table • If required, create all necessary columns • Set up column expressions • Define your key columns • Unique file name • Take advantage of Member.DisplayName • Add your information Step #4: Setting up Family Table
- 33. Final Item…. Though there is not currently open-enrollment training for just Inventor Content Center…. Synergis Engineering Design Solutions regularly sits down with customers to develop an implementation and training plan that is tailored to meet your Content Center needs.
- 34. Mark.Lancaster@Synergis.com Q & A Session
Editor's Notes
- #4: Are you attending Synergis University (SU) for the first time? https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/KEvszyMV5NxzLVM
- #5: How many years have you been using Autodesk Inventor? https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/E49rdKJYJ48ewfr
- #6: Synergis was formed (incorporated) in what year? https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/PHydXkwJzn0trsu
- #7: Autodesk Inventor Ver 1, was released in Sept 1999, what was its code name? https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/xZHV1uM5yfl3UlF