4 Reasons to Use iLogic

Autodesk Inventor iLogic enables rule-driven design that provides a simple way to capture and reuse your work. It allows the user to standardize and automate the design process. iLogic allows you to become a coding expert without having to learn much actual code.

iLogic rules can be designed to create one drawing template for various sheet sizes and drawing styles. They can also be used to check drawing standards, select drawing styles, select sheet sizes, as well as providing other tools.

Here are 4 reasons to use iLogic:

1. Automation: When you automate the workflows that can be automated, it allows your design and engineering team to focus more on design activities that are not easily automated.
2. Efficiency: iLogic can help you become efficient in various aspects of your designs.
3. Consistency: Using iLogic can help your company design components in a consistent manner. This makes it easier to document an efficient workflow.
4. Accuracy: iLogic gives you the opportunity to create very accurate designs. If your complex designs have been modeled in different ways with varied output, iLogic can provide a more common and consistent workflow.  

Consider your current Inventor template workflows and the ways you might incorporate iLogic into them. There are many ways to apply iLogic rules to your company’s workflows to improve them.

Using iLogic

In order to turn on your iLogic browser, you need to go to the model tree and select the “+” (show tabs button) and select “iLogic.” The iLogic browser will then appear next to the model tree browser.

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Learn more about iLogic in a hands-on Applied Software class.

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Rules

An iLogic rule is a small Visual Basic program that can monitor and control other Inventor parameters, features or components. iLogic embeds rules as objects directly into a part, assembly and drawing documents. The rules determine and drive the design parameter and attribute values. By controlling these values, you can define the behavior of model attributes, features and components. Knowledge is saved and stored directly in documents, just like geometric design elements are stored.

Rules saved within a document are known as “internal” rules. They are usually used when the rule applies to one part, not globally. “External” rules are saved on your local or network drive. They are helpful when the rule applies to many models. They can also be used to create iLogic modules that you can reuse for other tasks.

Writing Rules

Following are some best practices for writing iLogic rules:

• Use comments in your code to make it easier to understand what your code is doing. This will help you and others down the road to understand how it works.
• Don’t overdo it by overcomplicating your rule. Sometimes using more rules is better than putting all your iLogic code into one rule.
• Consider creating your rules so they can be reused in other projects. Why reinvent the wheel?
• When writing code, it is always good to be consistent in your methods.

My last piece of advice is to stay current on the use of iLogic. You can pick up helpful best practice tips and tricks by reading blogs, online articles and magazines.

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