I built a free Inventor add-in: Assembly from Bodies — multi-body master part to a real assembly structure

Hi everyone,

I’m the developer of a free add-in for Autodesk Inventor called **Assembly from Bodies**. It is aimed at people who design using a multi-body master part and then need a proper assembly for drawings, BOMs and manufacturing.

The idea is simple: after modeling all parts as solids in one master part, the add-in helps turn that model into a meaningful assembly structure — not just a folder of exported components.

What it does:

- Turns a multi-body master part into an assembly of separate part files.

- Groups identical solids into **one part file with multiple occurrences**, instead of creating duplicate part files.

- Keeps mirrored left/right parts separate, so they can remain different items in the BOM.

- Lets you assign selected bodies to **subassemblies** directly from the master part.

- Creates a repeated unit once — for example, a leg, bracket or mounting node — and places it automatically in all required positions.

- Stores the body/subassembly assignments in the master part, so the assembly structure can be rebuilt after design changes.

- Excludes selected bodies from the resulting assembly when needed.

For example, if a stair platform has 23 solids, it does not have to become 23 separate part files. Identical plates can become one part with several occurrences, repeated support units can be created once and placed in all positions, and related bodies can be grouped into subassemblies.

It is free. Download and source:

https://github.com/egorcha174/ConsystoBodies/releases/latest

Short demo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHP3wB452Cg

I would really appreciate feedback from anyone using multi-body workflows:

- Would grouping identical solids into one part file with occurrences be useful in your workflow?

- How do you currently handle repeated units from a multi-body master part?

- What would you expect from BOM / Parts List behavior?

- What would prevent you from using an add-in like this in production work?

- Which Inventor versions and workflows should I test or support better?

Thanks in advance for any feedback, criticism or feature ideas.

Can anyone help with this issue. Vertical dimensions are not displayed in sketch mode. This started a few days ago and I have not been able to fix it. The arrows are there but no extension lines or text. I am running Inventor 2025.

Inventor is crashing every second days and this is the feedback i get... Is it the same for you ?

On Fusion & SW, they can insert mastercar component to the assembly, is there any Inventor add-in to do this?

This is my second project in Inventor; it took about three weeks to create. It consists of 2,882 parts, with the geometry of each element sourced from BrickLink.

I'm not sure how to explain this well, but I have a housing for a shaft, that has two endcaps. Obviously the two end caps fit into the housing, but I'm not certain about the final shaft design, how that connects to the end caps, and thus not sure about the final dimensions of the end caps. So far I made models that are roughly in their final state, except for the exact dimensions. Now, is there some way to set it up so that when I change the dimension of the end caps, that the dimensions for the housing automatically change to fit the new end caps, or vice versa

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a top-down master model layout (1:1 scale engineering part) and trying to find the cleanest workflow to smoothly blend a distinct surface profile (labeled as my D surface) into a lofted transition section (S5_LOFT_AFT_TRANS).

As you can see from the model tree, I’m working with a mix of multi-body solids and skeleton sketch geometry. The sharp transition where the surface profiles intersect needs to be a seamless, aerodynamic blend.

What I have tried / My current setup:

• Software Version: Autodesk Inventor Professional
• File Setup: Single master part (.ipt) utilizing skeleton sketches and multiple solid bodies.
• The Goal: Achieve clean G1 (Tangent) or G2 (Smooth) continuity between the main body curves and the aft section flare.

When I try to enforce tangency directly inside the Loft tool conditions, I run into issues getting the boundary calculations to follow the complex cross-section cleanly without twisting or throwing self-intersection errors.

Should I be approaching this transition using surface modeling patches instead, or is there a trick to setting up specific guide rails/3D sketches along the sides to force a clean transition?

Attached a screenshot of my model browser and the geometry for reference. Any advice on the best workflow or boundary condition adjustments would be highly appreciated!

I'm a new first year mechanical engineering student. I was told that own laptops aren't absolutely necessary as theres shared computers for students at the uni but a laptop suitable for autodesk inventor and autocad in particular would be very helpful. Unfortunately Al isnt particularly helpful and contradicts itself. I have 2 options:

Asus tuf f16 core 5210h rtx 4050 16gb from cex in grade a condition with 5 year warranty for 520gbp/688usd

Lenovo LOQ ryzen 7 250 rtx 5060 16gb from retail store with 2 year warranty for 703gbp/930usd

Would like to get a tablet later on aswell for class, and i am unsure which one to choose: the cheaper asus hoping it'll be enough and worst case scenario, use the uni computers for more demanding projects in a couple years; or invest in something with more confidence?

Is the asus enough to run autocad/autodesk inventor during a 3.5year mech eng course or is it worth spending more on the lenovo?

I'm a new first year mechanical engineering student. I was told that I should get a laptop suitable for autodesk inventor and autocad in particular. Unfortunately AI isnt particularly helpful and contradicts itself. I have 2 options:

Asus tuf f16 core 5 210h rtx 4050 16gb from cex in grade a condition with 5 year warranty for 520gbp/688usd

Lenovo LOQ ryzen 7 250 rtx 5060 16gb from retail store with 2 year warranty for 703gbp/930usd

Would like to get a tablet later on aswell for class, and i am unsure which one to choose. Is the asus enough for a 3.5year mech eng course or is it worth spending more on the lenovo?

My tolerancing is not showing up and I am not sure what I am doing wrong, please help.

im having issues figuring this one out

¡Hola a todos! Estoy aprendiendo Autodesk Inventor y estoy buscando recursos para practicar el modelado de piezas.

¿Conocen alguna página web, libro u otro recurso donde pueda encontrar piezas para modelar y practicar?

¡Gracias de antemano! 🙌

 I have an assignment to complete but am unable to, the teacher said to use AI which I am against. my ask is if anybody is able to produce an electrical diagram that is meeting the UK standards of IEC 60617. The task is as stated (Task 2 and Task 3)-

Task 1 - Select a suitable sensor to detect that the guard is lowered and in place. Because of the environment in which this is used it needs to be a solid-state sensor. The guard is a vertical sliding unit consisting of a reinforced polymer panel mounted in a steel frame.

Task 2 - Draw up a detailed I/O assignment list allocating inputs and outputs as required.

Task 3 - Draw a simple electrical installation diagram covering the 230V AC supply to the PLC, the inputs which are all 24V DC and outputs, which are also 24V DC A separate 24V DC mains derived supply is available to provide sufficient current for the output devices.

The system has the following inputs and outputs:

7 Inputs: Start and Stop Push buttons, Hydraulic Pressure Switch, Guard Limit Switch, Ram Up and Down Limit Switches and Operator Foot Switch.

7 Outputs: Low and Normal Pressure Indicators, Pump Motor Run Solid State Relay, Guard and Part Clamp Solenoids and Raise and Lower Hydraulic Valves.

Hi all

We have recently been granted access to Claude æ, and holy smokes it does coding well to inventor.

Ive created rules for copying assemblies and drawings and replacing all the parts with the number

A one Click rule that shows a list of all the profiles that is in the open assembly and all sub assemblies with material and quantity + how many are 0-3 m , 3-6 and 6 and above

Automation of writing part list (customer specific document) and datasheet overview with pictures of standard parts

Simple rule so i can bring up a search bar where i can type a case number and jump directly to that folder and I type a specific drawing number i can open that part in 3d dorectly

And as most of others also printning PDF and saving various file types.

What have you Guys created to ease the work flow ?

I have an iLogic rule that seems to be working well, with one click it exports a PDF, and then it goes through and looks for metal parts with flat patterns, and exports those as DXF files.

Problem is, we have flat pattern DXF export layer settings that we use for our metal shop. Currently, even with the config saved in my settings, the DXF export is ignoring that through the iLogic rule.

I can't figure out how to either use the loaded config, or pass these values through the iLogic rule to correctly output a DXF.

Here are the settings we use:

Here's the section of code for exporting DXF files. If it helps to have the full iLogic rule's code instead, let me know.

' ---------- FLAT PATTERN DXF EXPORT FOR EACH SHEET METAL PART ----------
Dim oResults As String = "PDF exported:" & vbCrLf & oPDFMedium.FileName & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & "DXF exported:"


For Each oSMDoc In oSheetMetalDocs


    Dim oSMDef As SheetMetalComponentDefinition = oSMDoc.ComponentDefinition
    Dim oFlatPattern As FlatPattern = oSMDef.FlatPattern


    Dim oCreatedFlat As Boolean = False
    If oFlatPattern Is Nothing Then
        Try
            oSMDef.Unfold()
            oFlatPattern = oSMDef.FlatPattern
            oCreatedFlat = True
        Catch
            Continue For
        End Try
    End If


    Dim oPartFileNameNoExt As String = System.IO.Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(oSMDoc.FullFileName)
    Dim oDXFFileName As String = oDXFPath & "\" & oPartFileNameNoExt & ".dxf"


    Dim oDataMedium As DataMedium = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateDataMedium
    oDataMedium.FileName = oDXFFileName


    Dim oDXFOptions As NameValueMap = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMap
    oDXFOptions.Value("FLAT_PATTERN_ENTITY_TYPES") = 1
    oDXFOptions.Value("PROFILE_TYPE") = 4


    Call oFlatPattern.DataIO.WriteDataToFile("FLAT PATTERN DXF", oDataMedium.FileName)


    oResults = oResults & vbCrLf & oDXFFileName


    If oCreatedFlat Then
        Try
            oSMDef.Document.Save
        Catch
        End Try
    End If

It's kinda weird using Inventor as a CAD program, since I'm used to SW and Onshape, but I've decided to use it for a cad contest can you guys add tips and addins to my inventor so that i can win. Its a speed modelling one

Join us LIVE at 1 PM East Coast and support the Inventor user VENGADO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5Bc6hkiJQ

Best way to make the R .030 curves with the right center point?

Me enviaron un archivo .stp, trabaje en el pero al cerrarlo se perdió todo el progreso. La verdad no entiendo los formatos de inventor, porque ese step creo una carpeta donde hay piezas y ensambles y quiero agregar mas piezas pero me sale este mensaje The location of the selected file is not in the search path of the active proiect To solve this issue, do one of the followina: Add this file path to your list of valid search paths in the active projedt Move the file to a location already specified in the active proiect Create or activate a proiect file that includes the file's search path y este the selected location is not in the active project. Do you wish to continue the save

Hey. Im 21 metalworker on the jobsite and mechanical engineering student at evening classes. Im in my second year right now and i have gotten pretty confortable with using inventor as my main program to make models for my 3d printer or just making simple things.

i had the idea to make it a sidehustle since many companies in my proximity always look for some people who could make some drawings.

Thing is that i never learned to draw sheet metal with all the bending or really made drawings that someone could use in the workshop.

Is there something like a good course/Tutorial. Paid or free i dont care as long as its good.

So I've been using inventor for awhile, and I'm trying to learn new things to better automate the work I do at my job, I'm totally new to inventor ilogic rules, but I'm fine with everything else so this is the next step. I'm trying to set a rule where in my assembly, if this certain part changes to a different model state, I want multiple specific other parts to change to the model states that are meant to go with the size of the main paints model state. I've found a code online for this, but I don't understand how it works, where exactly to input It, what I need to change for my specific assembly, parts, and file locations or anything, can anyone help me with a rundown on this? I can post the code here if it'll help. TIA

Around 10 years ago I worked a whole summer to afford my old Geeetech Prusa i3, and I quickly realised I needed CAD software. The first thing YouTube showed me was SolidWorks. We used it at technical school and university too. I loved it and got a few certificates (Professional, Sheet Metal and a couple more).

Then I started at a metal factory that ran Inventor. At first I hated it. A month later, with a SpaceMouse beside me, I was learning it fast. I worked there for three years. Then a friend and I started our own company, and sometimes I had to go back to SolidWorks. I can't stand it now: no proper tabs, every part feeling like its own program, lag and bugs.

Lately, with the war in Ukraine and me living in the Baltics and moving toward a partly off grid life, I care more about owning my own tools instead of depending on big corporations for what I can do and what I can afford. With AI, I can build something in a few evenings that runs locally, with no subscription and no restrictions. It could run in a cave. [DataSlayer](https://www.youtube.com/@DataSlayerMedia) on YouTube pushed my thinking a lot here: we should own our hardware and our software.

So this is DATUM, my Inventor inspired CAD. **It's free and always will be.** It's MIT licensed open source, so nobody can ever lock it behind a paywall, including me. I'm not selling anything and I don't plan to. It's built around how Inventor thinks: where things are, how actions flow, how sketching and dimensions behave.

It's still early. I spend a few hours on it every day, making it smoother and closer to how Inventor feels. It updates itself when a new version comes out. One warning: I don't have a code signing certificate yet (they cost a yearly subscription), so Windows or your antivirus may show a warning during install. On the blue Windows screen, click "More info" and then "Run anyway". You can read all the source code on GitHub if you'd like to check it first.

I love FreeCAD too. It does everything in one program and it's super capable, but I never got into it because I'm used to Inventor's style. So this is my alternative.

**A bit beyond Inventor, for my own shop:** I live pretty much cave style, off grid, and my main machine is a CNC plasma table with swappable heads, so it can also do light milling. So DATUM has its own CAM sheet file (.cdat). You lay flat parts out on a sheet, it applies the cutter compensation and lead ins, checks that everything can actually be cut, and exports a DXF ready for the machine. Right now it's 2D profile cutting only, built around MyPlasm CNC. It's personal, but maybe someone with a similar setup finds it useful.

**I'm not telling anyone to switch.** Inventor is great and I still love it. This is just a backup: something free that works the Inventor way, runs offline and belongs to you, in case the subscription, the license server or the internet ever goes away.

**For Inventor users:** which Inventor habits or workflows would you want in a backup like this? That's what I want to get right next. Any comments are very welcome.

Download (Windows): https://datum.iiteg.com

Source (MIT): https://github.com/Artis-98/datum

Posted with mod approval, thanks to the mods for allowing it.

Update: I push new builds from time to time. Feel free to checkhttps://datum.iiteg.com/changelog.htmlto see what's new and if your requested features are live. You can also update the app directly under File → Check for updates.

Update: Now Linux early access build! It's built and tested on Ubuntu 22.04, should run on anything newer too. Just download, unpack and run, no install needed. It doesn't update itself yet, so grab new versions from the site. I don't use Linux daily myself, so if something breaks please tell me or open an issue on GitHub.
Download: https://datum.iiteg.com (or straight from GitHub: https://github.com/Artis-98/datum/releases/tag/v0.2.6)