About Managing and Using Library Parts to Populate Runs

Autodesk Inventor provides tools to manage libraries, configure libraries, and edit library content with varied functionalities.

The Content Center provides varied commands to conveniently organize and locate the needed library parts in the Content Center, assembly, and parts environments. These commands include History, Search, Favorites, and Filter. The Favorites command can be accessed on the Model browser or from within the Content Center when an assembly or part file is open. All other commands can be accessed on the Content Center dialog boxes.

Locate library parts in access history

All library parts you have accessed are cached into the history list. Use this command to quickly locate the needed library parts.

With an assembly or part file active, open the Content Center Editor, Place from Content Center, or Replace from Content Center dialog box and do any of the following where appropriate:

• On the standard toolbar of the dialog box, click History:
• On the Tools menu, click History.
• In the Category View list, click History.

Create filters

If you need to use library parts in the same standard frequently, create filters for appropriate standards and define the categories in the Content Center to perform the search. You can also use the predefined filters and edit the category selection accordingly.

With an assembly or part file active, open the Content Center Editor, Place from Content Center, or Replace from Content Center dialog box and do any of the following where appropriate:

• On the standard toolbar of the dialog box, click Filter:
• On the Tools menu, click Filter.
• In the Category View list, click Filter.

Tip: The Filter command can be used together with the Favorites command to navigate the selection scope. It is available on the Favorites pane.

Search library parts

Use the basic or advanced search functionalities to define search criteria, narrow the selection scope, and quickly locate the needed library parts. It is recommended that you use the Advanced Search so that you can define more Tube & Pipe specific criteria such as nominal size, end treatment, and SKey. Ensure that Tube & Pipe is selected into the target categories to perform the search.

With an assembly or part file active, open the Content Center Editor, Place from Content Center, or Replace from Content Center dialog box and do any of the following where appropriate:

• On the standard toolbar of the dialog box, click Search:
• On the Tools menu, click Search.
• In the Category View list, click Search.

Add frequently used library parts to favorite groups

The Favorites command provides access to the selected library parts in the assembly or part environment. It prevents the need for repetitive queries of the Content Center for the same library parts. It is recommended that you add frequently-used library parts to your favorite groups.

1. With an assembly or part file active, open the Content Center Editor, Place from Content Center, or Replace from Content Center dialog box and do any of the following where appropriate:
   • On the standard toolbar of the dialog box, click Favorites:
   • On the Tools menu, click Favorites.
   • In the Category View list, click Favorites.

   The Favorites pane is displayed with available favorite groups.

2. In the Favorite Groups list, set the active favorite group. Optionally, create your own groups or use the default favorite folder to store the desired categories and part families.
3. In the Favorites pane, expand to and click a folder to make it active.
   • To create a new parallel folder, right-click anywhere in the background of the Favorites pane and select New Folder. Enter the folder name.
   • To create a new folder, right-click the parent folder and select New Folder. Enter the folder name.
4. In the Category View list or Categories and Families Collection pane, right-click a category or part family and select Add To Favorites.

   The selected category or part family is added to the active group on the Favorites pane.

5. In the Category View list or Categories and Families Collection pane, right-click a category or part family and select Add To Favorites.
6. To use favorite library parts, with an assembly or part file open, click the list next to the Model browser and select Favorites. Optionally, use the Filter command to narrow the search criteria.