When a model has an inclined side, its plane is not parallel to the horizontal and vertical sides of the glass box. If the inclined view is drawn in one of the predefined views in a multiview drawing, some or all parts of the object will not be their true size and shape. To correct this, an auxiliary view is drawn instead of a predefined view. An auxiliary view is a view looking perpendicular to the inclined plane as shown in Figure 17-1.

To simplify or speed up drawing some of the views of a multiview drawing are only partially drawn. In these cases, the cutoff (sometimes called the broken) portion of the view is not required for the reader to visualize the object. Auxiliary views are frequently cutoff. When a view is cutoff, a break line is drawn to indicate where the view was broken as shown in Figure 17-2. A short break line and a long break line are drawn differently as show in Figure 17-2.

Drawing and Dimensioning Inclined Lines

Drawing and dimensioning inclined lines in sketches is a simple operation in Inventor compared to most CAD systems. The reason for this is that you can guess at the angle when drawing the inclined line rather then entering the exact number of degrees. After the sketch is complete, the angle is dimensioned using the exact angle and Inventor will adjust the sketch to match.

Aligned Dimensions

An aligned dimension is a dimension measuring the true length of a line or the true distance between two points. See Figure 17-3. The extension lines will be perpendicular and the dimension line will be parallel to the line or an imaginary line between two points.

Placing an Aligned Dimension

To place an aligned dimension, enter the GENERAL DIMENSION command or the shortcut D and regardless if you are selecting a line, two points, or two lines to dimension, the same Aligned dimension icon will display as shown in Figures 17-4 and Figure 17-5.

Angular Dimensions

An angular dimension is a dimension measuring the angle between two lines or the angle between the imaginary lines between three points. See Figure 17-6. The lines cannot be parallel to each other.

Placing an Angular Dimension

To place an angular dimension, enter the GENERAL DIMENSION command or the shortcut D and either select two lines or three points to place the angular dimension between.

The Two-Line Method

Select the first line. It will change colour. Move the cursor onto the second line and without selecting it, note how it changes colour. The Angular Dimension icon will display as shown in Figure 17-7. Select the second line. Drag the dimension to locate it. See Figure 17-8

The Three-Point Method

Select the first two points and move the cursor onto the third point as shown in Figure 17-9. The second point MUST be the vertex of the angle. The Angular Dimension icon will display as shown in Figure 17-9. Select the third point and drag the angular dimension to the desired location. See Figure 17-10.

Step 1

Check the default project and if necessary, set it to Inventor Course.

Step 2

Using the NEW command start a new part file using the template: English-Modules Part (in).ipt.

Step 3

Save the file with the name: Inventor Workalong 17-1. (Figure Step 3A, 3B, and 3C)

Step 4

Start the Base sketch on the Front or XZ plane.

Step 5

Project the Center Point onto the sketch.

Step 6

Draw the three top lines of the Front view and dimension them. Ensure that the sketch is fully constrained. (Figure Step 6)

Step 7

Enter the OFFSET command. When prompted, select the top line. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Right click the mouse and in the Right-click menu, select Continue. Move the cursor down about 0.5 inches. The offset line will drag with it. Click to select the location. (Figure Step 8)

Step 9

Do the same for the other two lines. (Figure Step 9)

Step 10

Enter the TRIM command. When prompted, select the overlapping end of the lines on the top intersection. (Figure Step 10A and 10B)

Step 11

Enter the EXTEND command and extend the lines at the bottom intersection by selecting each of them. (Figure Step 11A and 11B)

Step 12

Add three dimensions for the 0.5 thickness. The sketch should be fully constrained. (Figure Step 12)

Step 13

Press F6 to return to Home view.

Step 14

Extrude the sketch. (Figure Step 14)

Step 15

Start a new sketch on the top plane. Draw three lines and add the dimensions to fully constrain the sketch. (Figure Step 15)

Step 16

Extrude the sketch using the cut option. (Figure Step 16)

Step 17

Start a new sketch on the inclined plane. Draw three construction lines and dimension them to locate the centre of the circles. Ensure that the lines are fully constrained. (Figure Step 17)

Step 18

Insert two circles locating their centers at the intersection of the construction lines. Dimension only one of them and then apply the Equal constrain to the other circle. (Figure Step 18)

Step 19

Draw a line from one circle to the other. Don’t worry about constraining them tangent at this time. Ensure that the Snap On icon appears when you select the endpoint of the lines. (Figure 19A and 19B)

Step 20

In the right-click menu, select Create Constrain – Tangent. (Figure Step 20).

Step 21

Apply the Tangent constraint between the circle and the line. Repeat with the other circle. (Figure Step 21A and 21B)

Step 22

Trim the circles. This will take four steps. (Figure Step 22)

Step 23

Extrude the sketch. (Figure Step 23)

Step 24

Draw a 2D Sketch on the bottom plane. Using what you just learned, ensure that you constrain the lines tangent to the circles and then trim. (Figure Step 24A and 24B)

Step 25

Extrude the sketch. (Figure Step 25)

Step 26

Insert the fillets and change to the color: Orange to complete the solid model. (Figure Step 26)

Step 27

Save and close the part file.

Time allowed: 60 minutes.

Step 1

Project the Center Point onto the base plane.

Step 2

Note the location of X0Y0Z0. Draw the necessary sketches and extrude or revolve them to produce the solid model shown below. Apply all of the necessary geometrical and dimensional constraints to maintain the objects shape and size. (Figure Step 2A and 2B)

Step 3

Apply the colour shown above. (Figure Step 3)

Step 4

Create all fillets after the solid model is totally constructed.

Time allowed: 60 minutes.

Step 1

Project the Center Point onto the base plane.

Step 2

Note the location of X0Y0Z0. Draw the necessary sketches and extrude or revolve them to produce the solid model shown below. Apply all of the necessary geometrical and dimensional constraints to maintain the objects shape and size. (Figure Step 2A and 2B)

Step 3

Apply the colour shown above. (Figure Step 3)

Step 4

Create all fillets after the solid model is totally constructed.