Virtual Kit of Parts

[Madison]

Where is it?

I checked Buzzsaw (or whatever they're calling it now) and there's nothing there. We do, however, get a folder for our team. I'll investigate what possibilities that offers in a bit.

The Award section of the manual says the VKoP is available on Autodesk Streamline, and that we should use our Streamline accounts to access it. Unless I missed something, I don't have a Streamline account and I never have. I've never seen how to create one, either.

Some help? I could really use some models of the new kit components.

[Ed Sparks]

I haven't found the VKOP either. I have a few new parts posted and I'll try to have most drawn by the end of the week. Thursday and Saturday evenings will be my posting targets.

My job is cutting into my play time :(

Ed

First Cad Library (http://www.firstcadlibrary.com)

[AJ Quick]

This information was just released:

Autodesk has, once again this year, generously offered to render all the parts in the kit in Autodesk Inventor and make the “Virtual Kit Of Parts” available to all teams for use on Streamline. FIRST was unable to get all the kit of parts components to Autodesk in time for them to be available immediately after the Kickoff. The final group of parts was shipped to Autodesk on 1/2/03. Autodesk estimates that the Virtual Kit of Parts should be complete and available to teams using their Autodesk Streamline accounts by January 13th. We apologize for the delay and express our sincere thanks to Autodesk for their continuing support of our programs.

[Specialagentjim]

In reply to the "information just released post", it says that we will have access via our streamline accounts...apparently im not the ONLY one who dosent have access to a streamline account...Anybody have any clue how we get one?

[Madison]

Originally posted by Specialagentjim
In reply to the "information just released post", it says that we will have access via our streamline accounts...apparently im not the ONLY one who dosent have access to a streamline account...Anybody have any clue how we get one?

The accounts are being created by FIRST, and the information is being e-mailed to your team's main contact.

[Specialagentjim]

Oh coool! Thanks! Now to figure out how to contact the team's main contact (that's the problem with a big team sponser...they kinda make things like this not the easiest thing to get done...). thanks again!

[Clark Gilbert]

__________________________________________________ ____

We have received many questions about accessing the Virtual Kit of Parts (VKOP). We hope that the following information will clarify many of your questions about both Streamline access and the VKOP.

The VKOP are the kit of parts that you received last week which have been rendered in Autodesk Inventor to save you time and effort. Using the VKOP you will not have to create these items yourself in Autodesk Inventor in order to design your robot.

The VKOP is available on Streamline at https://folders.buzzsaw.com/2003FRC/Public/Inventor%20Parts?Public This is a public space and teams do not need an account number or password to access it. The VKOP is still in the process of being completed, but we anticipate having all the parts rendered by the end of the week.

Accounts are in the process of being set up for each team. As the account is set up, the main team contact will receive an e-mail with the account number and access password directly from Streamline. Many of you should have already received this as the setting up of accounts has been ongoing for the past few weeks. For those of you that have not, we anticipate having all the accounts completed by early next week.

It is important to note that you do NOT need an account number to access or download the VKOP, which you can save to a ZIP drive, a CD rom, a hard drive or file server. The account allows you to utilize a "private" space on Streamlines server for file sharing of your robot designs with other team members on-line.

Go Teams!

__________________________________________________ _


That's what i got today, they have it up, but there arent many kit parts :(

My brother, a teacher, and I are working on the pre-molded motor mounts, i think we have about 4 pieces done. We may package them up and put them online if we decide they are good enough.

[petek]

I'm getting a STG_E_FILENOTFOUND ($80030002) error when opening many of these files. The adapter keyed shaft and 25Pin_Cable, are two that fail. Some open okay, like the battery connector. I'm using Inv 5.3, but I hope that's not the problem!

Anyone else see this?

[Madison]

Originally posted by petek
I'm getting a STG_E_FILENOTFOUND ($80030002) error when opening many of these files. The adapter keyed shaft and 25Pin_Cable, are two that fail. Some open okay, like the battery connector. I'm using Inv 5.3, but I hope that's not the problem!

Anyone else see this?

It's my understanding that these models were created in Inventor 6. At least, that's what FIRST's documentation said. The models you can open may be reused from this past season, however.

[petek]

I hope it's not a v6 vs v5.3 issue - we have several 5.3 seats, but just one copy of 6. Could be a bottleneck, if that is the case. I'll try it on 6 tonite.

[Clark Gilbert]

That error is what you get when you use Inventor 5.3. I gave the link to my CAD teacher and we had the same problem with 5.3.

:]

[petek]

I was afraid that might be the case - now that I think of it I think I saw something similar in v5.0 with 5.3 files last year. Would be nice if Autodesk would let you do a "save as" to 5.3 for those of us who can't afford to upgrade all our licenses.

This will make it a lot harder to do adaptive designs and assemblies, with just one seat that can open all the files. It looks like most of the parts carried over from last year are in an older version, anyway.

[Ed Sparks]

I model all of my parts to V5.0 to allow those with last years software to participate. I'll soon post my version of any models that Autodesk releases to help those with 5.0 & 5.3.

Ed

First Cad Library (http://www.firstcadlibrary.com)

[Mike Betts]

I have been able to open the majority of the streamline files with Inventor 5.0 and the ones that I can't seem to have a file missing. This does not seem like a revision issue...

Has anyone "fixed" this problem with 6.0 or do we have to contact Autodesk to get the missing files posted?

[petek]

Mike,

I believe (as others have noted) the problem with the new part files from Autodesk is that they are created in Inventor 6. I have verified that they do open in 6, but not in 5.3 or 5.0, giving filenotfound errors in the older versions.

We are getting around this by opening them in 6 and exporting them as IGES solids so we can use them in Inventor 5.x. Of course you can't edit the IGES geometry, but unless you modify one of these kit parts that shouldn't be a problem.

If you haven't done it before, exporting to IGES format is simply a matter of:
- Open the part .ipt file;
- Select File -> Save Copy As;
- Select File Save Type: IGES (.igs, ...);
- Click the Options button to set the IGES File Save As options*; and
- Save the file.

* The default geometry is Surfaces; if you plan to do any section views you may be more successful by saving as Solids.

When you want to open one of these IGES files in Inventor you have to set the File->Open->Files of type: to IGES.

Pete

[Mike Betts]

Pete,

Thanks. I know how to export... I just was not sure that 6.0 was indeed the cure.

Once again, thanks for the info.

[roknjohn]

I'm also running Inventor 5. Will versions of the VKOP be available in AI5? Has anyone posted a link to converted part files? Is there a list of parts showing which version of AI was used to create them?

Thanks

[petek]

A lot of the parts are available on Ed Sparks' site http://www.firstcadlibrary.com/ in Inv5 format (thanks, Ed!).

I'd be surprised if Autodesk has any plans to release Inv5 files of the new parts. It is a fair amount of work to create the files, so we should be glad they support us to start with. Don't forget they are in business to make a profit and they have no vested interest in helping us delay upgrading our software!

Not that I want to be an apologist for Autodesk, but I do believe in capitalism.

[Alexander McGee]

Hey, anyone have any information on access to this? The link isn't working for some reason... Thanks!

[Frank(Aflak)]

Mike,

I believe (as others have noted) the problem with the new part files from Autodesk is that they are created in Inventor 6. I have verified that they do open in 6, but not in 5.3 or 5.0, giving filenotfound errors in the older versions.

We are getting around this by opening them in 6 and exporting them as IGES solids so we can use them in Inventor 5.x. Of course you can't edit the IGES geometry, but unless you modify one of these kit parts that shouldn't be a problem.

If you haven't done it before, exporting to IGES format is simply a matter of:
- Open the part .ipt file;
- Select File -> Save Copy As;
- Select File Save Type: IGES (.igs, ...);
- Click the Options button to set the IGES File Save As options*; and
- Save the file.

* The default geometry is Surfaces; if you plan to do any section views you may be more successful by saving as Solids.

When you want to open one of these IGES files in Inventor you have to set the File->Open->Files of type: to IGES.

Pete

Um, I am not able to access the folder. When I click the link provided above I getan "invalid autodesk buzzsaw site name"

Do I need to use inventor and get it through there, or should I be able to Internet Exlorer it, and download them?

Please help.

edit: my school has one copy of 7.0 and one of 6.0 . . do we continue to recieve them every year or have we just been lucky? I was under the impression that each team got the full set each year. So why are some people stuck with 5.x?

EDIT

Never mind, I didn't realize that this was a resurrected thread from last year. Still, any ideas for how to get the motors, trannies, otherstuffs for inventor?

[petek]

I don't expect to see this year's VKoP until sometime in January, but you can get a lot of last year's parts off Cybersonics' 2003 Inventor download at:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersonics/awardentries/2003/inventor2003/InventorZipFiles/FinalZip.zip
This is a rather huge zip (152MB) of the entire robot. If you would rather, you could navigate through the individual subassembly pages of the site and download those parts you're interested in. Start at:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersonics/awardentries/2003/inventor2003/index.htm

I believe these are all Inventor V5.0 files, by the way. We stuck with 5 because we had many seats of it, but only one of V6 (from FIRST). There is no way we could do all of the modeling, assemblies, drawings and animation with just one seat, so we didn't use v6. I haven't heard whether FIRST is shipping v7 or v8 this year - we're hoping v7 because we have a copy of that already.

Pete

[Frank(Aflak)]

I don't expect to see this year's VKoP until sometime in January, but you can get a lot of last year's parts off Cybersonics' 2003 Inventor download at:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersonics/awardentries/2003/inventor2003/InventorZipFiles/FinalZip.zip
This is a rather huge zip (152MB) of the entire robot. If you would rather, you could navigate through the individual subassembly pages of the site and download those parts you're interested in. Start at:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersonics/awardentries/2003/inventor2003/index.htm

I believe these are all Inventor V5.0 files, by the way. We stuck with 5 because we had many seats of it, but only one of V6 (from FIRST). There is no way we could do all of the modeling, assemblies, drawings and animation with just one seat, so we didn't use v6. I haven't heard whether FIRST is shipping v7 or v8 this year - we're hoping v7 because we have a copy of that already.

Pete

Thanks for the parts. . . is there a CIM motor in there?

anywho, it is for sure version 7 this year, We already got ours.

[petek]

The CIM is in the main (enormous) download, but I'm attaching (is this a new feature?) the files. I'm pretty sure they're v5.0 - I just have v7 and v8 on this computer so I can't verify.

BTW, I can't tell if the attachment "took" - there's no indication I see in preview. If it isn't here, email me and I'll send it to you.

Pete

[Matt Krass]

Rather than start a new thread, I decided to wake this one from the dead. Does anyone have the kit modelled in to Inventor? I know the motor models are the same, but I need the newer stuff, like the new wheels. Any ideas?

[Henry Anthony]

Mike,

Which parts seem to have a file missing? I'd like to check these out. Thanks.

[LBK Rules]

I have downloaded the VKOP, and when I load any parts in Inventor 7, It says that the database is a newer version.

[Matt Krass]

I get the same error with R6..was hoping R7 would fix that, though it only happens on some files. Damaged downloads maybe?

[petek]

I get the same error with R6..was hoping R7 would fix that, though it only happens on some files. Damaged downloads maybe?

At least in the case of the 12" wheel, it's our favorite Autodesk feature again: it was created in version 8 (the current version), so isn't openable in 7. Most of the files I've tried did open in 7, though. Can't you open any of the files?

Sure would be nice if they'd at least give you the option of a Save As to an earlier format (like they do in AutoCAD)!

[TommyT]

Is anyone else getting the error message when opening the new kit of parts in Inventor?
"Database schema is newer than this version of the software"

I guess I'm only getting it with the 12" wheel, but I would like to use that in the design of the base.

Thanks in advance!

[Frank(Aflak)]

Is anyone else getting the error message when opening the new kit of parts in Inventor?
"Database schema is newer than this version of the software"

I guess I'm only getting it with the 12" wheel, but I would like to use that in the design of the base.

Thanks in advance!


I can't open the wheel, either!

we are using them in our robot, also, so I'd rather put the good looking wheel in than a featureless gray slab that is more or less the same shape.

Grrrr.

And what really gets under my skin is that they give us inventor 7, and then parts made in inventor 8. No team will be able to afford the upgrade, so why bother.

I mean, they might as well have given us inventor and then made the vkop for a totally different program.

*sigh*

Featureless gray slab it is, I guess.

[pras870]

does anyone know a way to simply convert the inventor files over to 3d studio max format? I only have 3d studio (since i hate inventor), and it'd be great to get the inventor files simply to the 3ds format.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

im having trouble getting the parts from buzzsaw.. when i go to the public link, i get a 404 error, but when i go to the main site, i need to log in?

[TommyT]

log in as (public) with the parentheses.. as for the 404 error.. i have no idea what it may be

hope this helps

[Nero]

Wait so these parts are for Inventor? What about for Max?

[Gamer930]

log in as (public) with the parentheses.. as for the 404 error.. i have no idea what it may be

hope this helps

I have used the link that everyone gives to use the Streamline (https://folders.buzzsaw.com/2003FRC/Public/Inventor%20Parts?Public) When I go there I get
Invalid Autodesk Buzzsaw™ Site Name
The Buzzsaw site you specified does not identify a valid Buzzsaw site.

Perhaps you have mistyped it? is there a better link that works??? We need the Fisher Price Motor and kit gearbox.

Thanks,
Team 930

[petek]

Did you try replacing the %20 in the link string with a space?

Er... Nevermind, that gave me the same error.

[Gamer930]

Anyone already downloaded the Fisher Price Motor and Gearbox and could send it to me???

NOTE: I already tried replacing the %20 with a space.

OR: Could someone download it that can get into the system through private and send it to me???

We are trying to contact our "Main Contact" but she isn't home and we need this ASAP

[Cory]

Wow this thread is a year old! There is a current thread about the VKOP that this would be much better suited for.

[Gamer930]

For EVERYONE farther information:

I finally found everything at http://www.firstcadlibrary.com (Looked there the first time and only found motor)

The Fisher Price motor is under the category "Motor"
The Fisher Price Gearbox is under the category "Mechanical"

Thanks,
Team 930

[Tytus Gerrish]

i need the big muffin fans in an autocad format