Take a look at parametric modeling

00:08

In this presentation, we'll take a look at how you can incorporate parametric modeling in your current asset development process.

00:22

The true power of the factory design utilities is the ability for users to create their own library of custom assets,

00:28

that represent their unique machines and capabilities that they provide.

00:33

These assets can be simple representations of equipment or complex parametrically enhanced machines,

00:39

that can be adjusted to any size during placement.

00:42

In this lesson, we'll focus on these three objectives:

00:46

using parameters while modeling, defining key parameters and exporting them for future use, and linking parameters to iProperties of the model.

00:58

Assets come in many different shapes and functional forms.

01:02

The exact process you used to publish them will vary based on the type of asset and the desired functionality.

01:08

There are two basic types of assets, static and dynamic.

01:13

Static assets represent a single unchanging form or shape.

01:17

Equipment and machines that never change shape can be modeled and published as a simple static asset.

01:23

It is also possible to download models from numerous CAD sources and use these designs as static assets.

01:31

Dynamic assets are designed to parametrically represent forms that will constantly change.

01:37

Equipment that adjusts in length, width, or height each time it's inserted can be published as a dynamic asset.

01:45

Dynamic assets must be developed in Autodesk Inventor to include the desired parametric functionality.

01:52

Creating assets from native Inventor models offers many additional advantages and functionalities.

01:58

You can use name parameters to control key features.

02:01

These parameters can be marked for use when the asset is placed in a layout.

02:05

The factory properties palette allows you to easily modify any key parameter, updating the asset automatically.

02:12

It is also important to note that typical Inventor parametric practices are all that's needed to create fully functional assets.

02:20

iLogic can be used to provide additional functionality and it will be discussed in the following lesson but it is not required by default.

02:29

Anyone familiar with basic Inventor parametric modeling can easily produce layout assets.

02:37

All parameters can be marked key and exported.

02:41

Key parameters designate values that will be available for control when publishing the asset.

02:47

Exporting parameters, links the value to a corresponding custom property in the iProperties of the file.

02:55

Fields in the iProperties can be linked to various parameter values used to create the asset.

03:01

It is possible to map these parametric driven values to other iProperty fields.

03:06

Ensuring the iProperty information reflects the accurate settings for each iteration of the asset.

03:13

One major benefit of exporting parameters is that they can be mapped to various iProperty values such as description.

03:20

To map an exported parameter to an iProperty, you simply place an equal sign,

03:27

any static text you desire, and then the parameter name between the less than and greater than symbols.

03:36

I've opened up the file "Shelf Heavy Duty" from the "Models" folder in the data set.

03:41

This model represents a heavy duty shelving system that we're going to use as an example for asset development.

03:50

Now, I want you to focus on the browser first.

03:53

I want you to notice that this model is not very difficult.

03:57

It looks like an assembly, but actually, it's created with multiple solid bodies.

04:08

If I drag the end of part up, you can actually see how I started the part and each feature used to create it.

04:28

I've opened up a new file and I want to show you how easy it is to incorporate parameters while you're modeling.

04:35

I'm going to start off modeling the first feature of our shelf.

04:40

I'm going to start a sketch and select the XY plane and I'm simply going to draw a rectangle.

04:47

I'm going to make sure that that midpoint at the bottom rests at zero.

04:53

Now, I need to add some dimensions.

04:56

The first dimension I'm going to add is the length of the shelf.

04:59

These shelves are typically 8 ft long.

05:02

Now, instead of just typing in the number 8 ft, I'm going to type in a parameter name, length.

05:09

Notice that the text is red.

05:12

Red indicates that Inventor does not know what I'm talking about.

05:17

I'm going to finish the expression with an equal sign and then I'll type in 8 ft.

05:23

Now you see the text turn black.

05:25

Inventor now understands that this dimension, which is initially called d0, will now be named length and that it equals 8 ft.

05:37

Our first dimension scales the sketch.

05:41

Our second dimension is going to reference the height of the shelf.

05:45

Just like before, I'm going to type in height, I'm going to set that equal to 6 ft.

05:56

It is that easy to incorporate parameters while you're modeling.

06:02

Let's finish our sketch and add our first feature.

06:08

I can use an extrude here.

06:10

I'm going to extrude symmetrically and for the distance in the dialogue box again, I'm going to add a parameter name.

06:18

In this case, I'm going to type in depth.

06:23

And I'm going to set that equal to 24 inches.

06:33

Now, here you can see the first feature I created as I was developing that shelf,

06:38

and I wanted you to see how I could incorporate the parameters as I'm modeling.

06:44

If I go to the parameter table, you'll see the parameters that I used to develop the future.

06:53

Now I'm back in our shelf file and I'm going to activate our parameter table here.

06:60

You can see the length, height, and depth parameters that I showed you earlier.

07:05

But I want you to focus over here on the key column and the export parameter column.

07:12

Length, height and depth are going to be critical parameters for the future use of this shelf asset.

07:17

If you want the end user to be able to manipulate those values with the factory properties palette, you need to mark these parameters Key.

07:28

I've also chosen to export these parameters, that actually takes the value of the parameter and links it to an iProperty.

07:41

Now, while I have the parameter dialogue open, let's go ahead and modify some parameters.

07:47

I want you to notice my depth parameter here.

07:50

I've already turned this into a multi value parameter.

07:54

These shelving units come into three different sizes.

07:57

As far as depth goes 24 inches is default, but sometimes they come in the 18-inch variety or a 28-inch variety.

08:09

You'll notice that I can easily toggle between the valid sizes of the shelf.

08:18

Let me show you how to make a multi-valued parameter.

08:21

To do this, you simply right-click on the parameter and you select "Make Multi Value",

08:27

you then type in the additional values you want in the drop-down list,

08:37

you click "Add" to add the values and then click "Ok".

08:42

Now I have a drop-down list that controls the length of our shelving system.

08:47

And as before these shelves typically come in an 8 ft length, but sometimes we order a 6 ft variety, and they even make a 4 ft variety.

09:05

Now, I want to focus a little closer on the value of exporting parameters.

09:10

You've noticed here that I have exported length, height, and depth.

09:15

I've also exported some user parameters down here, the number of shelves required.

09:23

Let me show you what happens when you export a parameter.

09:28

I'm going to right click on the top part node in the browser and I'm going to select "iProperties".

09:34

Here are the properties of the file, and I'm going to jump straight to the "Custom" tab.

09:40

Here, you'll see any of our exported properties listed.

09:45

You can see the depth, the height, and the length.

09:48

You also see in this case, the number of shelves.

09:52

But now these parametric values are listed here as iPproperties.

09:58

This means that we can map these values to other fields in the iProperties dialogue.

10:06

You typically use this on things like the description.

10:10

Here, you can see my description.

10:12

It's a shelf, heavy duty.

10:21

Now let me show you how I was able to map those values into this description.

10:27

You see this little option right here.

10:30

This is the symbol that signifies that I have mapped these values.

10:36

And if I want to edit them, I simply need to click this.

10:39

So here is the formula to use when you're mapping iProperties.

10:45

You can see that I started this entire value with an equal sign.

10:49

I then use some static text for shelf heavy duty.

10:53

And then I included my parameter name inside of the less than and greater than symbols.

11:03

Now, this value is inherently parametric.

11:08

Let me show you that.

11:10

Going to select "Close" and I'm going to go back to our parameters.

11:18

Let's say I want a 6 ft shelf with 18-inch depth shelves.

11:28

I'll click "Done" and then I'll go check out the description in the iProperties.

11:36

Here, you can see I have a 72 inch by 72 inch by 18 inch shelving system with three shelves.

11:49

Well, this is going to conclude our initial lesson on parametric modeling.

11:54

I hope you've seen how including parameters can make your model so much more intelligent.

11:59

And I hope you see that including parameters is actually a fairly easy thing to do.

Video transcript

00:08

In this presentation, we'll take a look at how you can incorporate parametric modeling in your current asset development process.

00:22

The true power of the factory design utilities is the ability for users to create their own library of custom assets,

00:28

that represent their unique machines and capabilities that they provide.

00:33

These assets can be simple representations of equipment or complex parametrically enhanced machines,

00:39

that can be adjusted to any size during placement.

00:42

In this lesson, we'll focus on these three objectives:

00:46

using parameters while modeling, defining key parameters and exporting them for future use, and linking parameters to iProperties of the model.

00:58

Assets come in many different shapes and functional forms.

01:02

The exact process you used to publish them will vary based on the type of asset and the desired functionality.

01:08

There are two basic types of assets, static and dynamic.

01:13

Static assets represent a single unchanging form or shape.

01:17

Equipment and machines that never change shape can be modeled and published as a simple static asset.

01:23

It is also possible to download models from numerous CAD sources and use these designs as static assets.

01:31

Dynamic assets are designed to parametrically represent forms that will constantly change.

01:37

Equipment that adjusts in length, width, or height each time it's inserted can be published as a dynamic asset.

01:45

Dynamic assets must be developed in Autodesk Inventor to include the desired parametric functionality.

01:52

Creating assets from native Inventor models offers many additional advantages and functionalities.

01:58

You can use name parameters to control key features.

02:01

These parameters can be marked for use when the asset is placed in a layout.

02:05

The factory properties palette allows you to easily modify any key parameter, updating the asset automatically.

02:12

It is also important to note that typical Inventor parametric practices are all that's needed to create fully functional assets.

02:20

iLogic can be used to provide additional functionality and it will be discussed in the following lesson but it is not required by default.

02:29

Anyone familiar with basic Inventor parametric modeling can easily produce layout assets.

02:37

All parameters can be marked key and exported.

02:41

Key parameters designate values that will be available for control when publishing the asset.

02:47

Exporting parameters, links the value to a corresponding custom property in the iProperties of the file.

02:55

Fields in the iProperties can be linked to various parameter values used to create the asset.

03:01

It is possible to map these parametric driven values to other iProperty fields.

03:06

Ensuring the iProperty information reflects the accurate settings for each iteration of the asset.

03:13

One major benefit of exporting parameters is that they can be mapped to various iProperty values such as description.

03:20

To map an exported parameter to an iProperty, you simply place an equal sign,

03:27

any static text you desire, and then the parameter name between the less than and greater than symbols.

03:36

I've opened up the file "Shelf Heavy Duty" from the "Models" folder in the data set.

03:41

This model represents a heavy duty shelving system that we're going to use as an example for asset development.

03:50

Now, I want you to focus on the browser first.

03:53

I want you to notice that this model is not very difficult.

03:57

It looks like an assembly, but actually, it's created with multiple solid bodies.

04:08

If I drag the end of part up, you can actually see how I started the part and each feature used to create it.

04:28

I've opened up a new file and I want to show you how easy it is to incorporate parameters while you're modeling.

04:35

I'm going to start off modeling the first feature of our shelf.

04:40

I'm going to start a sketch and select the XY plane and I'm simply going to draw a rectangle.

04:47

I'm going to make sure that that midpoint at the bottom rests at zero.

04:53

Now, I need to add some dimensions.

04:56

The first dimension I'm going to add is the length of the shelf.

04:59

These shelves are typically 8 ft long.

05:02

Now, instead of just typing in the number 8 ft, I'm going to type in a parameter name, length.

05:09

Notice that the text is red.

05:12

Red indicates that Inventor does not know what I'm talking about.

05:17

I'm going to finish the expression with an equal sign and then I'll type in 8 ft.

05:23

Now you see the text turn black.

05:25

Inventor now understands that this dimension, which is initially called d0, will now be named length and that it equals 8 ft.

05:37

Our first dimension scales the sketch.

05:41

Our second dimension is going to reference the height of the shelf.

05:45

Just like before, I'm going to type in height, I'm going to set that equal to 6 ft.

05:56

It is that easy to incorporate parameters while you're modeling.

06:02

Let's finish our sketch and add our first feature.

06:08

I can use an extrude here.

06:10

I'm going to extrude symmetrically and for the distance in the dialogue box again, I'm going to add a parameter name.

06:18

In this case, I'm going to type in depth.

06:23

And I'm going to set that equal to 24 inches.

06:33

Now, here you can see the first feature I created as I was developing that shelf,

06:38

and I wanted you to see how I could incorporate the parameters as I'm modeling.

06:44

If I go to the parameter table, you'll see the parameters that I used to develop the future.

06:53

Now I'm back in our shelf file and I'm going to activate our parameter table here.

06:60

You can see the length, height, and depth parameters that I showed you earlier.

07:05

But I want you to focus over here on the key column and the export parameter column.

07:12

Length, height and depth are going to be critical parameters for the future use of this shelf asset.

07:17

If you want the end user to be able to manipulate those values with the factory properties palette, you need to mark these parameters Key.

07:28

I've also chosen to export these parameters, that actually takes the value of the parameter and links it to an iProperty.

07:41

Now, while I have the parameter dialogue open, let's go ahead and modify some parameters.

07:47

I want you to notice my depth parameter here.

07:50

I've already turned this into a multi value parameter.

07:54

These shelving units come into three different sizes.

07:57

As far as depth goes 24 inches is default, but sometimes they come in the 18-inch variety or a 28-inch variety.

08:09

You'll notice that I can easily toggle between the valid sizes of the shelf.

08:18

Let me show you how to make a multi-valued parameter.

08:21

To do this, you simply right-click on the parameter and you select "Make Multi Value",

08:27

you then type in the additional values you want in the drop-down list,

08:37

you click "Add" to add the values and then click "Ok".

08:42

Now I have a drop-down list that controls the length of our shelving system.

08:47

And as before these shelves typically come in an 8 ft length, but sometimes we order a 6 ft variety, and they even make a 4 ft variety.

09:05

Now, I want to focus a little closer on the value of exporting parameters.

09:10

You've noticed here that I have exported length, height, and depth.

09:15

I've also exported some user parameters down here, the number of shelves required.

09:23

Let me show you what happens when you export a parameter.

09:28

I'm going to right click on the top part node in the browser and I'm going to select "iProperties".

09:34

Here are the properties of the file, and I'm going to jump straight to the "Custom" tab.

09:40

Here, you'll see any of our exported properties listed.

09:45

You can see the depth, the height, and the length.

09:48

You also see in this case, the number of shelves.

09:52

But now these parametric values are listed here as iPproperties.

09:58

This means that we can map these values to other fields in the iProperties dialogue.

10:06

You typically use this on things like the description.

10:10

Here, you can see my description.

10:12

It's a shelf, heavy duty.

10:21

Now let me show you how I was able to map those values into this description.

10:27

You see this little option right here.

10:30

This is the symbol that signifies that I have mapped these values.

10:36

And if I want to edit them, I simply need to click this.

10:39

So here is the formula to use when you're mapping iProperties.

10:45

You can see that I started this entire value with an equal sign.

10:49

I then use some static text for shelf heavy duty.

10:53

And then I included my parameter name inside of the less than and greater than symbols.

11:03

Now, this value is inherently parametric.

11:08

Let me show you that.

11:10

Going to select "Close" and I'm going to go back to our parameters.

11:18

Let's say I want a 6 ft shelf with 18-inch depth shelves.

11:28

I'll click "Done" and then I'll go check out the description in the iProperties.

11:36

Here, you can see I have a 72 inch by 72 inch by 18 inch shelving system with three shelves.

11:49

Well, this is going to conclude our initial lesson on parametric modeling.

11:54

I hope you've seen how including parameters can make your model so much more intelligent.

11:59

And I hope you see that including parameters is actually a fairly easy thing to do.

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