Inventor 2022 introduced the Simplify tool as the revamped and streamlined version of the Shrinkwrap tool. This gave the same benefits and functionality as the Shrinkwrap tool, but in a much more streamlined form. With these new improvements and added features, it is much easier to use and add to your current workflow.
What does the Inventor Simplify tool do?
The Inventor Simplify tool allows you to take your existing parts and assemblies and simplify them into a state that not only is easier to use but allows you to protect your intellectual property. Parts can be enveloped into simple boxes and cylinders. This tool can also remove certain features such as holes, fillets, chamfers, and others that are not necessary when your part is used in other applications. Finally, the simplify tool can create a new model state of the model without the selected features, export to a single multi-body part file, or export to a Revit RVT file.
Uses for Simplification
Creating simpler models also helps with performance if you need to share them with other users or projects that do not need the same level of editability. When exporting to a separate .ipt, the file size can be decreased significantly. Similar to the assembly shown in this blog, the file size for the simplified part was 30mb as opposed to the 1 GB of the full assembly. Working in smaller files can help with performance because you won’t have as much data to load and use.
Another use for Simplify is to protect intellectual property. Models can be reduced to simpler geometry that represents their placement but doesn’t give high levels of detail. Files sent out to outside companies can be simplified in areas that need to be protected.
Using the New Simplify Tool
When opening an assembly, the simplify tool can be seen under the Assemble tab to the right. The full assembly model does need to be loaded to use the simplification tools. There are 4 options for this tab, the simplify tool shown in the icon, and 3 options in the drop-down menu. Create a simplified view will create a new view with only the selected models. Creating a simplified part will export your current model into its own part file. These two tools use the existing geometry as it is to create a view or .ipt file.
Other tools to simplify the models
The two remaining tools use the existing model and geometry to create a simplified version of it. Using the envelope tool, you can simplify existing geometry into either a box or a cylinder. This can be useful in situations where you do not want to include full details of a part. Another situation where this is useful is for packaging, to see the space needed to hold certain objects.
The new addition to the Simplification options is the Simplify tool. This is a streamlined panel where you can remove features and create a new model state, part file, or Revit file of your model. From the top of the menu, you can select your input state, view, and position. The model state you select is the one you will work from; it will export to a separate model state if you choose lower in the window. Replace with envelopes will batch envelope parts and assemblies. Doing them on an individual level is still easier with the envelope, too. The exclude components allow you to exclude components from your exported model. You can select individual components or specify the max diagonal. Selecting the max diagonal will remove any that are smaller.
Tools to remove features
The next set of tools allows you to remove features. Each tool has the option to select the minimum or maximum measurements for features to remove. Near the bottom, you are also able to highlight specific ones that you want to preserve. At the bottom, you can highlight all the features affected that will be removed.
The output options are located at the bottom of the window. Substitute creates a new model state within the assembly. This is going to be under the substitutes’ folder under the model states. The new part file will create a new multi-body part file. A newly added feature is being able to output to a Revit RVT file.
In conclusion
These steps allow you to simplify your workflow, but execute the same processes in Inventor Professional!
Check out the recent Autodesk Virtual Academy on the topic covered within this blog post for an even deeper dive!
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