Joint settings can be “locked” to eliminate freedom if also “protected,” Inventor will notify you when changes in the drawing will violate the part’s required motion. A single joint can replace multiple mate constraints. They achieve this with less input and fewer relationships. When you apply a constraint (adding relationships), like mating two components in an assembly, one (or more) DOF is removed. Extra DOFs are common when using constraints. Each component has six DOF: three moving along the X, Y, and Z axes (translational) and three rotating around them (rotational). Constraints eliminate degrees of freedom (DOF) and are simpler, thus more popular, to use than Joints.Joints and Constraints can be used together for better results. It typically takes fewer joints to achieve the same results as using constraints. Inventor Constraints and Joints both create relationships that set a part’s placement and movement. Most assembly modeling involves a little of both bottom-up and top-down design, referred to by Autodesk as “middle-out.” (So clever, but it reminds me of middle-age-spread, which is to be avoided.) As the assembly design is developed, existing components are added or new ones are created in place.The final assembly will be a collection of parts designed specifically for this project. This involves engineering and uses 3D part modeling to develop a design that’s essentially driven by a unique part. For top-down part design, Inventor users start with design criteria and create the components that are needed.If components don’t exactly fit, the Context command can be used to edit the components and resize them. Constraints are then added to mate the components and align them. For bottom-up part design, Inventor users start with existing parts and sub-assemblies and put them into an assembly file.Designing new components can be fun, or it can be another head slammer. Sometimes designs use standard components, and sometimes they require new parts. Pay attention when you open and save files, so you’re working in the correct project. I know, another “DUH” moment, but if you get it wrong, you’ll be pounding your head on your desk and screaming, “WHY?!” If you’re working on multiple projects and activate another one, the system changes the file access dialog boxes and the location where it searches for data. The system knows where to search for data on that project.
Your “active” project is the one you are currently working on. Folder where you will edit files on your computer.Number of versions you want to retain when saving.Project Wizard sets project type, number of versions you want to retain when saving, folder where you will edit files on your computer, and content center configuration settings. If you don’t set up your own project, Inventor will do it for you and name it “default.” This is fine for investigating or experimenting, but for a real-world project like adults work on, take the time to set it up right. This may elicit a “DUH” from you, but it happens. The project (ipj) file is where your design data will be stored so everything interacts properly. One of the first things you should do when you embark on a new project is set up a new project file using the Project Wizard.