New in Autodesk Inventor 2015 - Enhancements to the "Look At" Tool

Look back, and smile on perils past.
Walter Scott

Autodesk Inventor 2015 has several enhancements, and some, like Freeform Modeling and Direct Editing are just plain cool.  There are several great links and videos on the subject, and while I have plans to show some of that functionality when time permits, I often like to show some of the functions that aren't as flashy, but I know users will tend to use all the time.

One of those new functionalities is the enhanced "Look At" behavior.  Which as I've used it, I think is going to be helpful as I wade deeper into Inventor 2015.

First, I'm going to show some new check boxes that are located in Tools>Application Options>Display Tab.

They're called, "Perform Minimum Rotation" and "Align with Local Coordinate System", and they perform the following functions (referenced from the Inventor 2015 help) :

If you want to use these new commands, make sure they're checked.

1) Perform Minimum Rotation - Rotates a minimum angle to make the sketch plane parallel with the screen, and the x axis of the sketch coordinate system either horizontal or vertical

2) Align with Local Coordinate System - Orients the x axis of the sketch coordinate system to be horizontal and right positive, and the y axis to be vertical and up positive.

The location of the new settings

So in a nutshell, what do these new functions do?  First, a little history. 

For those of us who use Inventor in the past, we've all likely used the "Look At" command and watch our sketches to an acrobatic act before ending up in a position that we really didn't expect, or sometimes want.  

These commands work together to help prevent that.  The "Perform Minimum Rotation" option will prevent the "tumbling" we see in the ghosts of sketches past.  The "Align with Local Coordinate System" option will control the orientation of the sketch, and ensure that the sketches orientation is predictable. 

I've used these settings since I've started using Inventor 2015.  So far, I'm liking what I see. 

So if you're new to Inventor 2015, take a note of these settings.  More importantly, give them a try!  And give them a try in different combinations of one checked on, and the other off, you may find a particular combination that you like!

And one bonus trick!  Did you know a new feature for Inventor 2015 is the ability to resize the Application Options Dialog box?  Maybe not huge, but it's always been something I've been wishing for!  

A nice new feature! 

Splitting Tables and Moving to Different Drawing Sheets - New In Autodesk Inventor 2015

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy.”
 Albert Einstein

It's been a busy few weeks.  I've traveled to Michigan, taught Inventor classes, and even put my head into a Vault server once or twice.

Finally, I find a little time to talk about a new feature in Autodesk Inventor 2015.

This one is quick, and it's simple.

Moving a split table, such as a parts list, from on drawing sheet to another.

It's subtle, but it's a significant new feature that several users may find helpful.

In my example, I'm going to use the parts list table shown below.  It's crowding my drawing a bit, so I'm going to split it, and move one end of it to another sheet.

An example of my sheet as it looks now!

First, I right click on the cell where I want to split the table, and choose Table>Split Table

Splitting up my table

The table will split, and I can drag the parts list into two different locations.

But what I really want to do, is drag the template to a completely different drawing sheet.  For this, I need to switch to the drawing browser.  When I expand it, I can locate the Parts List, and see where it's split into two separate items.

The two halves of my part list

Now, all that's left to do is drag the parts list from one drawing sheet, to the other.  However, do this in the browser!  This will make sure it works correctly!

Drag and drop the sheet from one sheet to another

Once that's done, one half of the Parts List will reside on one sheet, the other half on the other sheet.  The icon even indicates this, as well as which sheet holds the original!

The sheet shown in it's destination.

The sheets shown together

So there it is!  A nice new feature in Autodesk Inventor 2015!  Take a look, give it a try with all the table types!  It works with everything I've tried, except the revision table!

And feel free to throw a comment below!

And one last note!  For the full list of What's New in Autodesk Inventor 2015, check out think link!

A Review - Able to Extract PDF Converter

Converting documents from PDFs to editable formats.

It’s not something I have seen times when it’s been needed for converting data.

It might be a pdf of a drawing, manual, or chart that has been lost or corrupted. How to recover it without just recreating the entire document?

I’ve even seen drawings that have been created in a CAD system that’s been relegated to the virtual boneyard. The only thing left behind are the PDFs, information frozen in time, no longer able to be updated or changed.

That’s why Able2Extract exists. To take PDFs and convert them into a format that can be edited.

When I was asked to give it a try, the first thing I tried was converting a few pdfs I had created
from Autodesk Inventor.

Converting and PDF into AutoCAD

The PDF Converted into AutoCAD

I was impressed by how easily the conversion was made.

The drawings came across and were quickly turned into an AutoCAD dwg or dxf. Scale is preserved, so measurements can be dimensioned and added.   Dimensions converted to text, but that wasn't something that I would consider "world ending".

Translating documents into Word and Excel were pretty straightforward as well. I took some different documents from various sources, including some I created, and some technical documents I
downloaded, and was able to convert all of them with ease.

A PDF prior to coversion

The Word doc after conversion.  I didn't modify anything
The spacing at the top of the link changed slightly, but still pretty clean.

The custom settings for Excel extraction were logical, and it provides a nice preview to help make sure the document will come out the way it’s intended.

Here I have a sample from Excel, which is a pilot hole chart I printed from Engineers Edge.

The PDF during conversoin

The completed conversion

The only things I wasn’t able to convert were pdfs created as raster images, such as a manual on aircraft standards created in 1955. But let's face it!  That’s to be expected.

A pdf scanned from good ol' paper.  As a raster, this one won't convert.

Working with Able2Extract, I found the interface very easy to use. A wizard walked me through the steps I needed, and I found the icons to be easy to understand, and laid out in a logical order. The icons follow the workflow from left to right. Open, Select, Convert. Just like that.

So in short, what did I like?

• It’s easy to use, and it just works. It’s not difficult or tricky. I really was converting documents within minutes of installing it.

• The wizard that walked me through the steps of using it was a nice touch. I could have gotten by without it, but it’s nice to know it’s there.

• The icons were laid out very logically, the toolbars work from left to right.

What did I not like as much?

• Very little. It works simply, and works well. I certainly think that it’s capabilities give us an opportunity to look at making sure we keep our data secure.

In summary

I think that this is definitely a program that should be looked into if you’re looking to take data and convert it to a usable format. It’s a wonderful tool for those who have documents in PDF format,that need to have new life brought into them via editing and updating.  It's definitely worthy of your consideration

Finally, the Disclaimer
I was not compensated in any way for this.  I was just given a link to download the product, and then the freedom to try it out.  Beyond being supplied the product, I was free to formulate my own opinions

Sharing the Wealth - A Few Excellent Websites for Sheet Metal Unfolding

“If you're going to build an airplane, first you have to know how to bend sheet metal, and before that you have to know how to render iron from the ground.”
 Eric Henderson

The last couple of weeks have been a non-stop rush, so blogging has definitely been a tough thing to get to lately!

But the lessons never stop!  Learning is a dance that is in constant motion!

While I was sitting in an Autodesk Inventor update course earlier this week, the instructor shared some fantastic sheet metal links and encouraged us to pass them on, so that's exactly what I intend to do!

And why am I sharing these resources?  I mean aside from the fact that the instructor told us to?

The one thing about using sheet metal in Autodesk Inventor, is it's a tool.  And like so many tools, it takes the knowledge of the user to really make it reach it's full potential.

One thing has not changed.  Experience counts.  Pure and simple.

The resources I'm sharing are intended to help obtain that experience.  They let us, as users, assimilate the knowledge we need to make us more knowledgeable, which in turn allows us to use the tools to amplify that knowledge.

So at last, here are the resources past onto us by the instructor.

Bend Calculator from the SheetMetalGuy.com,  Do you need help generating K-Factors and bend tables, here's a place to start.  Here's a direct link here!

The next, is from www.bendallowance.com.  Follow the direct link here to a list of formulas used to calculate sheet metal setbacks!

Third on the list is from Sheetmetal.me and is a resource for designers, operators, and  "anyone else interested in sheet metal manufacturing".  It has great resources for calculating bend allowance on this page.

The last of the four big websites, have a look at this link at Custompart.net to calculate things such as bend allowance, setback, and stamping forces.

Finally, another place to try is the Google Apps store.  There are tons of Sheet Metal Apps that are available.

I haven't tried any, but they com recommended, and if you us sheet metal, and have an Android, it's worth a look.

For you Apple users, I have been told there are apps, but not as many.  But not as many.  I can't speak to this myself, but if you have an Apple App you like, feel free to throw a comment down below!

Getting Ready for Autodesk Inventor 2015 - Migrating Design Data

I have a sweet tooth for reading, so books migrate to my zip code en mass.
Dawn Olivieri

After installing your Autodesk Design Suite, migrating the Vault, and migrating Inventor templates, there's another migration to consider, at least with respect to Inventor

Migrating your Autodesk Inventor Design Data.

First of all, what does the Design Data include?  Design Data includes information such as drawing standards (balloon styles, dimension styles, etc), sheet metal bend tables, thread charts, and so on.

A sampled from my Design Data Directory

If you're running nothing but Inventor's defaults, then no migration is needed.

But seriously, who's doing that?  Nearly everyone has custom settings they need to migrate.

So this is how to go ahead and make that happen!

First, I like to make a backup of my Design Data.  Just in case I make a mistake, or something goes wrong.  This can be as simple as zipping up the design data and storing it in another location.

Make a backup.  You may not need it, but if you do need it, you won't regret it! 

Next, I can go to Windows Start>All Programs>Autodesk>Autodesk Inventor 2015>Tools>Style Library Manager.

Locating the Style Library Manager

Once the Style Library Manager opens, there will be two columns. One is for Style Library 1, the other, Style Library 2.

For Style Library 1 I'm going to browse to my 2014 Design Data (which is backed up, of course).  For Style Library 2, I choose the destination directory where I want to place my migrated 2015 Design Data.  At the moment, this directory is empty.

Notice that once I select the destination directory, the migrate button becomes available.

Now what?  I click the migrate button, and the styles begin their migration!  The Style Library Manager will tell me that the library will be migrated.  It'll also tell me I can't undo this!

But this is alright for two reasons.  One, I'm migrating to a new, empty directory.  The other?

I made a backup.  See?  I keep telling you there's a reason!

I click OK, and I now, I let the migration grind away.  Get coffee, watch YouTube videos.  Do both!

After a few minutes, the migration will complete.

Now, my custom libraries are ready to use!

I hope everyone finds this post helpful!




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Getting Ready for Autodesk Inventor 2015 - Migrating Custom Templates

“Burglars know there's more than one way to skin a vault.”
James Chiles

In previous posts, I showed how to install your Autodesk Design Suite, as well as migrate a Vault from 2014 to 2015.

However, there are still things that need to be done.  For example, what about custom templates that have been carefully crafted in previous releases?  They aren't usable in Inventor 2015 until they've been migrated.

It goes without saying that this step is important.  So what are the steps to migrate template files?

The simplest, is to just open each template file in Inventor 2015 and save it.  It will work just fine, and it's a completely valid way of doing things.

However, I'm going to describe something that's more automatic then just opening and saving.

Here is my scenario.

• My custom template files are checked into Vault
• I want to check them out, migrate them, and check them in all in one fluid process

And while it's possible to perform these tasks manually, I'm going to use a tool called Task Scheduler.

Why?  I like letting the computer do the work where possible, and this is my chance!

The steps required for Task Scheduler are in reality, straightforward.  It's more a matter of knowing where to find the right tools.

Having said all that, what will Task Scheduler do for me?

It's going to check the files out of Vault, migrate them, and check them back in again.  Making sure they're all ready to use in 2015.

First, what are my preparation steps?  Really, there's only one.  But it's a big one!

Make sure everything is configured the way you want it.  For example, I'm still using 2014, so I've kept my 2014 templates safe and sound in a separate directory, so I can still use Inventor 2014.

Remember, once migrated, there's no going back!  So plan accordingly!

The first thing to do, is locate Task Scheduler, which can be found in:
Windows>Start>Autodesk>Inventor 2015>Tools>Task Scheduler

Once the Task Scheduler starts, choose Create Task>Migrate Files

Now, I see a screen to setup my migration.  There are several settings I can choose from.  For your migration, you can change any of the settings here.  For my migration for my vaulted, files, I'm going to make sure to check the following:

• I'm going to choose my 2015 Inventor project
• I'm going to check migrate from Vault
• I'm going to start the migration instantly, instead of scheduling it for later (I'm impatient)

Now, I add the files from Vault.  The icons allow me to add Files, Folders, and an entire project.  I can even create combinations of these if it suits me!

But in my case, I'm just going to choose a single folder in Vault. This is the one with my custom templates.

After choosing the folder,  I'm going to choose my options icon, where I can change settings on what functions to use when checking in.

The first tab, the Local Options, such as rebuilding files, deferring updates, and so on.  The help system describes the steps well. In my case, I'm just going with the default settings.

On the Vault tab, I can add a Vizualization file, and delete the local copy from my workspace.

In my case, I'm not creating a visualization file, only because this is a template, and it's just a blank file.

I'm also not going to delete the local copy.  I need them locally to use them, so they have to stay!

Finally, I'm all ready to go, and I can hit the "OK" button, once to close the options, and once to "pull the trigger".

The migration begins, and all I have to do is give it a little time.

After a short time, it's done!  I have my new templates.

I can even double check by looking at the new versions created in Vault.

Now, my templates are all ready to use!

And for the video of the steps, take a look below!

Spring is the Time for Migration! Migrating to Autodesk Vault 2015 from 2014

“Artificial intelligence is a wonderful thing. I told my computer that today is my birthday, and it said that I needed an upgrade”
Anonymous

An important step in migrating to a new version of the Autodesk Products is the upgrade of Autodesk Vault.  While this step is important, it's not necessarily difficult, but it does require some planning to make sure things go smoothly. 

Before even looking at your shiny new installation files, there are a few things you should make sure of:

1. Do you have a valid backup of you Vault filestore and database?  Check.  Then double check.  Then think about the consequences of losing all your data.  Check again.
2. Make sure you allot for downtime!  The installation takes time, not to mention that databases need to be migrated.  This can take a while, especially if you have a large amount of data.
1. An additional consideration to this.  You can only skip one version while migrating a Vault.  For example, you can jump from Vault 2012 to Vault 2014, but if you're trying to go from Vault 2011 to Vault 2015, you'll have to jump to Vault 2012 or 2013, then to Vault 2014.  Take this into consideration for your planning.  
3. Recall that Vault server can run one version back of many of the Autodesk Products.  For example, Vault Server 2015 can run 2014 based applications, and 2014 Server can run 2013 based applications.  Take this under consideration.  It might be wise to update the server, while saving the clients for later.  
1. EDIT 18-June-2014 See comments below!  David pointed out that the 2015 version of Vault server can run 2014 AND 2013 versions of the clients!  I mistakenly thought it was only the 2014 version!  Make sure take note, and thanks David for the correction! Check out the Readme Here for all the details.
   Also note that the Vaults have to be common (Professional to Professional, Workgroup to Workgroup, etc. 
4. Consider a test migration on a separate server!  While most migrations go off without a hitch, that doesn't help if you're the one exception to that rule.  It's not paranoia if something is really out to get you.
5. Did you check that backup?  Make good and sure.  The test migration in step 4 can be a way to verify your backup.   It's worth considering if you have the resources. 

Once the deployment is planned out, go ahead and install the new Vault server from your installation files. 

The Autodesk Vault Install will help guide you through the rest!

The process begins by starting the install from the Setup.exe file, found on your downloaded files, or USB media.

The first screen that appears will have three options, to install the Autodesk Vault Server, choose the Install Tools & Utilities Option.

Next, the End User License Agreement, or EULA appears.  I have to agree to this to proceed, so that's what I'll do!

The Vault installation informs me that it sees an upgradeable version of my Vault.  This is my 2014 version, which I do indeed want to upgrade.  I'll choose that option.

Moving to the next step allows for the selection of which programs I'd like to install.  At this point, I'm interested in installing Autodesk Vault Basic Server 2015.

I've already installed Autodesk Content Service with Factory Design Suite Ultimate, in my previous post.

Content Center is downloaded for Inventor 2015.  Hovering over the "information shows this information.

Also note that the Network License Manager can't be installed.  This is due to the fact I've already got a copy installed.  Hovering over the "No Smoking" symbol will give this information.

Finally, I place my Vault on my D: drive. This is because my C: is a smaller partition, and I want to put programs like the Vault Server on my larger data drive.

Finally! I can click the install button, and get the installation going!

The installation will take some time.  This is part of where that "allotting for downtime" note comes into play!

Add caption

After a little time, the installation will wrap up.  I close the final screen, and this is where I get to take a moment.  The installation is done, but the migration is next.

Now it's time to open the newly installed Vault Data Management Console  The first part of the migration starts.

But there are still a few more steps.  I'll need to log into my Vault, where I'm presented with a message indicating that I need to migrate my Vaults and Libraries, and asking me if I want to do so.

Of course, I'm going to agree! I can't use the Vault until I do.

At last, the end is in sight!

Now, a message asking me if I want copies of my custom Content Center Libraries created for Inventor 2014, Inventor 2015, or both.

You're options might be different here, based on whether or not you have custom Content Center Libraries or not.

In my case, I'm going to make sure I have libraries for Inventor 2014, and 2015, because I am going to be using both.

Now!  Vault is ready to go.  But there are a couple of last things that need to be done!

I'll update any scripts that are maintaining my Vault.  The installation paths have changed!  Backups won't run unless the scripts are updated!

If you're doing your own migration, don't forget this important step!

And if you prefer, I've also created a video of the steps too!  Check it out below!