To Work with iFeatures

Create an iFeature from an iPart or from a set of features and specify the geometry that is used to position it on a part. You can edit iFeature files, placed iFeatures, and iFeature sketches.

Create an iFeature

1. On the ribbon, click Manage tab Author panel Extract iFeature .
2. On the model or in the browser, select one or more features to extract.
3. In the Extract iFeature dialog, use the arrows to add (or remove) sketch parameters from the Selected Features box to the Size Parameter box. The first sketch feature listed is the base feature, used to position the placed iFeature.
4. Optionally, set the Type to Standard iFeature or Sheet Metal Punch iFeature. A sheet metal iFeature requires a single center mark sketch point in the feature sketch. Additionally, you can select the option Unfold in Flat Pattern for iFeatures that can be unfolded.
5. Double-click parameter names from the feature tree or the parameters window to give them meaningful names.
   • Name. Appears in the browser when you place the iFeature.
   • Value. The current value is the default. The Limit parameter restricts the new value.
   • Limit. A drop-down menu that restricts entries in the Value box and has three options:
     • None. Places no restrictions on the parameter value.
     • Range. Lets you specify minimum and maximum values, including less than equal to, and infinity symbols. In the Minimum field, negative values allow the placed iFeature to change the depth direction or position of a sketch curve relative to an edge.
     • List. Displays values that you paste from the Clipboard or enter.
   • Prompt. Displays text that you enter in a dialog when the iFeature is placed on a part.
6. In the Position Geometry box, double-click the values under Name and Prompt to give a descriptive name to the feature and instructions for positioning the iFeature when it’s placed in the part file. For example, Profile Plane 3 (Name) and Pick Profile Plane (Prompt).
7. Optionally, create a sketch to represent the iFeature and then use Select Sketch to create a Simplified Representation of the feature.
8. Save the iFeature with a unique name.

Edit iFeature Files or Sketches

1. Open an iFeature file and on the ribbon, click iFeature tab iFeature panel Edit iFeature.
2. In the Edit iFeature dialog, use the arrows to add (or remove) sketch parameters from the Selected Features box to the Size Parameter box. The first sketch feature listed is the base feature, used to position the placed iFeature.
3. Double-click parameter names from the feature tree or the parameters window to give them meaningful names.
   • Name. Appears in the browser when you place the iFeature.
   • Value. The current value is the default. The Limit parameter restricts the new value.
   • Limit. A Drop-down menu that restricts entries in the Value box and has three options:
     • None. Places no restrictions on the parameter value.
     • Range. Lets you specify minimum and maximum values, including less than equal to, and infinity symbols. In the Minimum field, negative values allow the placed iFeature to change the depth direction or position of a sketch curve relative to an edge.
     • List. Displays values that you paste from the Clipboard or enter.
   • Prompt. Displays text that you enter in a dialog when the iFeature is placed on a part.
4. In the Position Geometry box, double-click the values under Name and Prompt to give a descriptive name to the feature and instructions for positioning the iFeature when it’s placed in the part file.
5. In the browser, right-click the iFeature and add one or more custom iProperties. The custom properties are added to the custom properties tab of the part file consuming the iFeature, and click Apply.

Rename an iFeature

1. In the Extract iFeature dialog box, feature tree, right-click the top level.
2. In the edit box, enter a new feature name. The new name appears in the browser when you place the iFeature, but does not change its saved file name.
Note: Do not use spaces and other special characters in feature names. To make the iFeature easier to use, give similar names to the iFeature file (.ide) and the iFeature.

Edit a Placed iFeature

1. In the browser, right-click the iFeature, and then click Edit iFeature.
2. In Position, click, and then click a new face or work plane to reposition the iFeature.
3. To change parameter values, click in the row, and then enter a new value.
4. To reorient the coordinate system, click the Move coordinate system symbol , and then move or rotate the iFeature.

Note: You cannot add or delete geometry or parameters.