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Getting Started with TruPlan

This topic describes how to start working in TruPlan. You can follow these steps using the sample files found in C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\TruPlan \TruPlanSamples.

Activate the TruPlan Environment

After you start Inventor, activate the TruPlan environment in one of the following ways:

  • When no document is open in the Inventor session, select the TruPlan tab in the ribbon. Use the Open Composites command and bring in an existing composite file by selecting an xml file and one or more matching STL files.
  • After opening an existing Inventor part file or after starting a new part file, click the TruPlan tab on the ribbon. Click TruPlan to start the TruPlan environment. Use the Insert Composites command and bring in an existing composite file by selecting and xml file and one or more matching STL files.

Check Material Packaging and Deposition Settings

Before you start creating manufacturing strategies in TruPlan, check your material packaging and deposition settings. These can only be modified in the Material Library dialog box. You must have at least one ply in your model.

  1. Click Process Material Library on the TruPlan ribbon.

  2. Make sure there is at least one material in use for the current part, and that its settings are what you expect.

  3. In the tree, select the packaging under the material and then click the Composite tab.

  4. Select the Deposition process you want (such as Tape, Tow, and so on).

Start Working

  1. After you have opened a model and started the TruPlan environment, create and project a seed point that you will use to create a manufacturing strategy.

    See Working with Points, Curves, and Projections.

  2. Navigate to a ply in your model using the TruPlan browser on the left side of the application window.

    See About the TruPlan Browser.

  3. Right-click the ply and select Add Strategy.

  4. Create a strategy for the ply using the Strategy dialog box.

    See Working with Strategies.

  5. Right-click the new strategy under the ply and select Add Analysis to create analyses with the Analysis dialog box.

    See Working with Analyses.

  6. Add manufacturing configurations to your project and save it for use with TruPlan's companion software, TruFiber.

    See Working with Configurations and TruFiber.

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