Typically when you are working on large assemblies, you can use Level of Detail (LOD) representations to suppress assembly components to save memory. You can choose to open a tube and pipe assembly in a specific LOD representation or activate the needed LOD representation at a later time. For instance, if tube and pipe design consumes a large amount of routes and runs, you may need to select All Content Center Suppressed from the Level of Detail Representation list.
In addition to the predefined LOD representations (Master, All Components Suppressed, All Parts Suppressed, All Content Library Suppressed), you can create any number of new LOD representations. LOD representations are typically managed in the top-assembly level. You can also create nested LOD representations within the master runs assembly and runs, in which suppressed tube and pipe components are reflected in the corresponding LOD representation of the parent environment. It is recommended that you do not create nested LOD representations.
When a tube and pipe component is suppressed, other states such as adaptivity and visibility remain. However, component suppression may cause missing references or other unavailable functionalities temporarily. For instance, if the master runs assembly is suppressed, you cannot add new runs. When a run is suppressed, engagement information becomes temporarily unavailable, but they take effect again when unsuppressed later or when the assembly is opened in the master representation.
Until further edits are made in LOD representations or you force the update using Rebuild All, tube and pipe design does not immediately update in the following cases:
- When a tube and pipe component is unsuppressed.
- When you switch the predefined All Content Center Suppressed LOD representation to the master LOD representation.
What happens if I open multiple LOD representations while editing routes and runs?
Using the File Open Options dialog box, you can open a tube and pipe assembly file in a designated LOD representation. If an assembly file is opened using different LOD representations at the same time, you can edit routes and runs in only one LOD representation. All other opened LOD representations are locked until you save the active LOD representation.
For instance, assume a tube and pipe assembly is opened in the master LOD representation and the All Content Center Suppress LOD representation in the same session. In the All Content Center Suppress LOD representation, you create a new run. When you switch to the master LOD representation window, you cannot make edits because it is locked. After you save the All Content Center Suppress LOD representation, the master LOD representation will be refreshed to reflect changes and become available for editing.
How can I determine which components are most memory-expensive?
The Find command helps you efficiently determine what components are causing the most memory consumption. It can be accessed in any of the following ways:
- On the ribbon, click Tools tab
Find panel Find Component . - Click File Open, in the Open dialog box.
- Click File Manage Design AssistantToolsFindAutodesk Inventor Files, in the Find: Autodesk Inventor Files dialog box.
- Model browser, binoculars symbol:
In the Find dialog box, ensure the Estimated Cost property is one of your search criteria, specify a value, and set the condition to is greater than. You can then suppress those components or use an alternative Level of Detail (LOD) representation, such as All Parts Suppressed.