AutoLimits to monitor designs

AutoLimits monitor selected aspects of a design relative to the boundaries you specify.

If the monitored aspects fall below or above the boundary limits, a warning indicator displays. You can also use AutoLimits to measure distance, length, volume, mass, and so on.

If you are familiar with the Measure command, think of AutoLimits as a persistent Measure. Instead of checking constantly to ensure that a design remains within your requirements, you can define an AutoLimit. You can set a range of OK, Warning, and Serious Warning limits.

In the graphics window, green, yellow, and red symbols show the current state of the compliance of the object with the AutoLimit boundaries. The symbols respond by changing color and shape to indicate that the limits fall below, or exceed boundaries

In the assembly environment, the symbols disappear if you suppress or exclude the relevant component or turn off its visibility. In the part environment, the symbols disappear if you drag the End of Part marker up past the relevant feature of the sketch. In both cases, in the browser, the error icon displays next to the AutoLimit. AutoLimits existing at other levels (subassembly or components) are not visible or accessible until that level or component is edited.

Note: When you open a file, any AutoLimits that it contains do not display until you select an AutoLimits command.

Note: According to your preferences you can create groups, and place the AutoLimits in those groups. Groups are created using a context menu entry of the top node in the AutoLimits browser. Group folders are placed at the bottom of the browser. Copy and paste the AutoLimit into the group. When finished with a group, you can delete it, even when it is populated. Empty user-defined group folders before you delete them.

There are three types of AutoLimits: Dimensional, Area-Perimeter, and Physical Properties.

Dimensional AutoLimits

When you use dimensional AutoLimits, you refine the AutoLimits type by your selections. For example, say that you select a planer model face, and then select another planar model face. The command recognizes that the only valid AutoLimit types are Angle or minimum distance.

Length

Monitors the length of a selected edge. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of edges that yield a cumulative length. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Distance

Distance monitors the distance between selections. The AutoLimit input is like that of assembly constraints. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of edges that yield a cumulative length. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Angle

Monitors the angle between selections. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative angle. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Diameter

Monitors the diameter of selections, such as a cylinder, cylindrical section, sphere, or spherical section. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield cumulative values. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Minimum Distance

Monitors the minimum distance between selected selections. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative length. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Area-Perimeter AutoLimits

Area

Monitors the area of a selected face. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative area. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Perimeter

Monitors the length of edges enclosing a face. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative length. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Physical Properties AutoLimits

Volume

Monitors the volume of selected input. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative volume. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

Mass

Monitors the mass of selected input. The measurement can be the result of an accumulation of selections that yield a cumulative mass. The values included in the measurement can be added or subtracted.

AutoLimit boundaries use both color (green, amber, red) and shape (circle, triangle and square) to provide feedback related to boundary conditions. The colors equate to conditions:

• Green: within boundary limits
• Amber: near boundary limits
• Red: exceeds boundary limits

It provides easy identification of model conditions regarding the boundaries you have set. Where the model value exceeds the boundary limit, including the red boundary, the AutoLimit is displayed as a gray X.

Availability of AutoLimits

AutoLimits are available in all environments except Autodesk Inventor Studio, Dynamic Simulation, Construction, Solid Edit, Flat Pattern, and Engineer's Notebook.