You create iFeatures in the part environment using sketches and features. After save the file, you use commands in the iFeature environment to convert iFeatures to table-driven iFeatures, modify iFeatures, and view the iFeature catalog.
If you use iFeatures regularly, such as slots in different sizes, define them as iFeatures. When you place the iFeature in a part, you select a row in the table to specify the size. You can edit the iFeature to change sizes.
When you create an iFeature, enter all of the parameters that you want to include in a table-driven iFeature. Although you can modify its values, after you convert a regular iFeature to a table-driven iFeature, you cannot add or remove parameters.
The parameters and placement geometry that you define in the original iFeature represent the column headings in a table-driven iFeature. Table rows create unique variations of the iFeature. When you use the iFeature, you can select its versions in the Insert iFeature dialog box. You can resize the dialog box to view columns in the table.
When you use the Extract iFeature command to create an iFeature file, parameters and properties from the original iFeature become column headings in an embedded table.
A regular iFeature is a single version. After you create it, you can edit its file to modify it directly.
A table-driven iFeature is like an iPart factory. You define multiple versions of the same feature by adding rows to a table. Each row represents a different version of the feature.
To use an entire part as an iFeature, create a table-driven iPart, and use it to create a table-driven iFeature. After you save the table-driven iFeature to the catalog location, use the iFeature Author to change the table. Include all required parameter values in the table before creation. You can add or delete rows or modify column attributes in the iFeature Author, but you cannot add or delete parameters.
The iFeature Author converts an iFeature to a table-driven iFeature. Like an iPart factory, a table-driven iFeature has multiple versions that are developed and selected by rows in a table. In the iFeature Author dialog box, you can specify parameters, properties, threads, placement geometry, and custom parameters. Each row in the table can contain different values so that the iFeature can have many versions, each with a specific diameter, thread specifications, material, and so on.
After you convert an iFeature with the iFeature Author, you can no longer modify it with the Edit iFeature command. Instead, you select or define different parameters, then select that version of the iFeature to replace the current version.
In the browser, a table symbol designates a table-driven iFeature. When you delete the table, the iFeature converts to a regular iFeature. The current version is its only size. You can edit it with Edit iFeature.