Autodesk Inventor 2014 How to Use Projected Geometry and Work Planes

In this tutorial, the uses and functions of some of Autodesk’s features like projected geometry and work planes will be explained. In this tutorial you will go over:
1. The strategies for planning your sketch.
2. How features like projected geometry and work planes can be used in your sketches.
3. General information about Autodesk Inventor.

This tutorial should take approximately 20 minutes

Materials: Computer, Autodesk Inventor 2014

Skills: You will need a basic understanding of how to create a sketch and extrude that sketch in Autodesk Inventor.

Step 1: Planning Your Sketch

It is important to plan your sketch before you start drawing. This way you have a strategy for how you are going to make the shapes that are required. There is never one way to draw something on Autodesk. The way that makes sense to you is the best way to approach this project.

To draw this Guide Brace, start by planning the sketch. Break it up into smaller parts that are easier to draw. For example:

There is a large block in the middle with two wings on either side to bolt it down and on the top there is a channel running through the large block.

One way to draw this object is:

Draw the middle block
Use work planes to draw the wings and then cut the holes in the wings for the bolts.
Insert a work plane and use projected geometry to cut the angle and the channel in the center block.

Step 2: Drawing

Now that the sketch is planned, we can start drawing.

Start Autodesk Inventor and create a new sketch.
Sketch a rectangle.
The height of the sketch should be 3” and the width 2”.
Add dimensions to the center point. These dimensions will make the drawing turn from green to purple. This means the drawing will not move. (It is fully constrained.)
Press the Finish Sketch button to finish the sketch.

Step 3: Extruding

After finishing the sketch, extrude the area inside the sketch.

Press the Extrude button and click the area inside the sketch.
Select Extrude Symmetric. This will insure that the sketch is centered on the plane the sketch was drawn on. This will be a reference to center the channel later.
Extrude the sketch 2”.

Step 4: Drawing the Wings

There are many ways to draw the wings, but I am going to use a work plane.

Press F6, this will rotate the object so you have a better view.
Select the Plane button in the Work Features on the ribbon.
A list of plane options will come up. Select “Offset from Plane”
Click the front face of the object. A Plane Edit Box should show up with an arrow pointing away from the object.
Type 1” into the Plane Edit Box and click the green checkmark to finish.

Step 5: Create a Sketch on the Work Plain.

Create a sketch on the work plane.
2.     Click the projected Geometry button. This will project the edges of the object on to the work plane.
3.     Click the left and bottom edges of the object. They will become a bold yellow. (Refer to Image)
4.     Create a rectangle in the bottom left side of the work plane. The length should be 1’’ and the width should be .5’’
5.     Finish the sketch.
6.     Extrude the sketch through the block 4”. This will create 1” wings on both sides of the block.

Step 6:

Create an arc to finish the wings.

To get rid of the work plane, right click on it and then click the Visibility button.
Create a sketch on the top face of the wing.
Press the Arc button and select Center Point.
Select the center of the wing and drag the arc to one edge and then drag it around to create an arc on the edge of the wing.
Finish the sketch and extrude the thickness of the wing .5’’.

Step 7:

Create a sketch on the top of the wing.
Draw a circle using the center point of the arc. Dimension it with a diameter of .5’’.
Finish sketch.

Step 8:

Press the Extrude button.
Select the area in the circle on the wings.
In the Options Menu select "Cut Through All".
Repeat steps 6 through 8 on the other wing.

Step 9:

Creating a work plane to cut the angle in the block.

Select the Plane button again.
Select the option of “Angle to Plane Around Edge”.
Click the edge of the bottom and right faces of the object, then click the right face.
In the Plane Edit Box type 45°.

20140311_171742[1].mp4
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Step 10:

Create a sketch on the work plane

1. Using Projected Geometry, project the edges and the top of the object and the plane the block was drawn on. This can be done by going through the Origin planes on the left of the screen until the plane the block was drawn on shows up. Click on that plane to project it to the work plane.

2. Create a rectangle on the top and side edges of the center block.

3. From the bottom of the block to the bottom of the sketch should be .5’’

Step 11: Creating the Channel

On the same work plane make another rectangle centered on the block underneath the first rectangle. To do this, click the Rectangle Options and select "Rectangle Two Point Center”.
Select the center plane and then drag the rectangle to the bottom of the first rectangle.
Dimension the height as .25’’ and the width as .5’’.
Finish the sketch.

Step 12:

Extrude both rectangles at the same time. Select the "Through All" and "Cut" options in the Extrude Edit Box.

Step 13: Conclusion

Hopefully, this tutorial has given you a better understanding of how work planes and projected geometry can be used in your sketches to get the desired outcome. There are many other applications for these tools, and hopefully this tutorial has expanded your idea of what work planes can be used for in Autodesk.