Re: Weird glitch
 

I actually tried installing Autodesk online but had so many issues that I ended up installing it from the CD we got from the KoP. And, I did not have any problems w/ downloading the file, but it just sometimes messes up after I place and fully constrain it and then open the assembly later.

Also, thanks for telling me about STEP files. I did not know that, and that will be helpful, but this doesn't just happen with STEP files although it happens with them often, too.

Re: Weird glitch
 

long story short your team mate needs to research inventor "projects" files

to be brief
inventor uses file associations to create the assembly file. think of it like this..
for purpose of example take this.

(graciously donated image from this thread..)http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=89768
assuming the chassis is one part. and the motors another, and the wheels a 3rd part
each of the parts needs to be save in the same folder within someones computer "directory" or drive so that the inventor project file can reference the location of the parts in the assembly .

to further simplify my suggestion is to require every part designer to save eery PART into the same folder and / or rather prior to "building" the robot in inventor to have all the parts saved (by the assembler) into the same folder



as you might have guessed we've had similar problems previously

Re: Weird glitch
 

Information on neutral format files
http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=class&session_id=3056

and learn to set up Project (ipj) file as suggested.

Re: Weird glitch
 

from my expirience with inventor i would say the biggest problem you have is that you are relying on a flash drive with parts that may be in a sub assembly and the sub assembly file may have become curropt which may be the cause of your problem however it could also be that the files that are dissapearing are because they are not in the actual project folder. i would recomend setting up a vault at your school that comunicates with all the computers in a given room and allows everone to upload and save directly to the vault

Re: Weird glitch
 

Another helpful tip is to use the "Pack and Go" feature inside Inventor as opposed to just taking the parts in the assembly and putting them in a flash drive. This will create a folder with everything the program needs for the assembly. You can use both methods if you are careful but Pack and Go is much more relieable.

Also, I recomend making a main "Project" with various folders inside that project. As long as the folders you use are inside the main folder for the project you won't have any issues.

Re: Weird glitch
 

Good discussion on what is effectively a file management issue. As always it seems to come down to setting up a project file correctly and then having an individual act as the CAD manager for the project.

Re: Weird glitch
 

Here is the link to my blog with the project file overview.

http://first2011inventor.wordpress.c...nventor-files/