Use Frame Generator to create internal frame and external frame assemblies for machines. Frame Generator is available in the assembly and weldment environments.
You need a skeleton part on which to insert frame members. You can either:
- Create a model to use as a frame skeleton and place it in an assembly file (Place Component).
- Define the structure of a frame in the context of the assembly (Create Component).
You can select sketch lines and edges from multiple parts to add to a skeletal part. As you select lines and edges, they are added to a skeletal part in the frame assembly.
In the finished frame assembly, each frame member must have a corresponding line in the reference skeleton part.
In the process to insert a frame member into an assembly, you select a Frame Member family from the Content Center. Then you define the size, material, and appearance parameters. After you select the frame member, you select one or more edges or a beginning and ending point for placement of the frame member.
After you place frame members onto the structure, you add end treatments. End treatments specify the miters and cuts to join them.
Frame Generator automates both the selection and placement of the standard frame members onto the skeleton or assembly components, and the addition of end treatments.
Frame Member Names
Frame members are named by default using the (Standard)+(Stock Number)+(Unique Number). When you create a structural frame member for authoring, there is no default Stock Number to include in the name. Add the Stock Number manually to maintain the default format of the name, and to customize the name for an authored frame member.
Content Center and Frame Generator
Frame Generator is integrated with Content Center. You can define your own frame cross-sections and add them to the available Content Center libraries for use within Frame Generator.
For more information about defining your own frame shapes, see the topic.
Driven Length Feature
A driven dimension feature called Driven Length is added to frame members during the authoring and migrating process in Frame Generator. Driven Length calculates the correct value (G_L) for the extrusion length in a frame member. The parameter of the driven dimension is assigned to G_L.
When the driven dimension feature is added to the sketch, it is also listed in the browser as 
Driven Length. The entities created with the dimension feature are nested under Driven Length. To see them, use the Explode command, which is available on the context menu in Frame Generator.
The Driven Length feature protects the sketch and the reference dimension from inadvertent modification.
Frame Generator maintains an updated parts list and ballooning to the associated BOM. Create a cut list to document frame members and their dimensions and cut treatments. Use the Drawing Manager Parts List utility to produce a parts-only BOM, and then add appropriate columns for the cut list. See the Help topic Frame Generator components in BOMs and cut lists
What can I do with Frame Generator?
- Create frame members from vertices and edges of existing subassemblies.
- Build framing directly from other machine components within an assembly.
- Use multiple skeletal models in an assembly.
- Create frame members between skeletal models.
- Define frame cross-sections and notch profiles and place them in the Content Center.
What are the commands within Frame Generator?
The following commands are located on the Design tab in the Assembly and Weldment environment. Structural Shape Authoring is located on the Manage tab in the part environment.
 |
Insert Defines a frame member to insert into an assembly. |
 |
Change Edits the properties of frame members, and controls the position of frame members in relation to the model. |
 |
Miter Applies one or more miter cuts as end treatments between frame members. |
 |
Trim To Frame Trims and extends two frame members at their ends. |
 |
Trim/Extend to Face Trims or extends multiple frame members to a model face. Cuts a frame member with a model face. |
 |
Notch Notches one frame member to fit another. |
 |
Lengthen/Shorten Frame Member Extends or retracts a frame member. |
 |
Remove End Treatments Returns a frame member to its original creation state before any modifications were made to it. |
 |
Frame Member Info Provides frame member section information, including physical and engineering properties and its insert position and orientation on the model. |
 |
Refresh Refreshes existing frame members from Content Center after you edit and update the CC family table or template. |
 |
Beam and Column Calculator Starts the calculator for checking beams and columns loads in Autodesk Inventor. |
|
Structural Shape Authoring Starts the command to define your own frame cross-sections, including end treatments, and place them in the Content Center for use within the Frame Generator. Available in the Author panel of the Manage tab in the part environment. Authoring requires connection to the Content Center. |
Where can I insert frame members?
You can insert frame members using the points, lines, and edges, listed:
| Points | Lines | Edges |
|---|---|---|
| 2D/3D sketch point | 2D/3D sketch line | line edge |
| vertex | 2D/3D sketch arc | spline edge |
| work point | D/3D sketch spline | arc edge |
| 2D/3D sketch ellipse arc | ellipse arc edge |
Does Frame Generator have its own browser?
As soon as you insert the first frame member into an assembly, a hierarchy for the frame is added to the assembly browser. See the Help topic Frame Generator browser.
