Frame Generator Customization Tool

Supplemental instructions for using the Frame Generator Customization Tool from

Go to C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2008\Design Data\Frame Generator and make a back-up copy of the Frame Generator folder and its contents. Put in a save place in case you mess things up.

Download the software and install.

Open the file 8020-T Slot x 1.5SQ and pull down the EOP.

You can have only one feature in the profile.

From the drop down in the Part Features panel bar select Frame Generator Customization tool.

Select the Author and Publish tool.

Note that we could import User/Model Parameters to create data columns in our xml file for different sizes within the family. For this basic tutorial we will not do that step.

You will get a message warning that the Design Data>Frame Generator will be updated. (You did create a back-up, right?)

Notice that a couple of work features have been automatically added the feature tree.

Click on the Content editor in the Frame Generator Customization panel bar.

Now this is where I had trouble the first time around.

Expand the folder and select the item to Export.

You can save in any convenient location.

As stated in the previous step, you can save this file in any convenient location for editing. I created a folder called Custom FG but you can give it any name and create in any location.

Click OK to save the xml file.

Minimize Inventor at this point.

Go to where you saved the xml file and open it in Excel.

Do not enter anything in the first two columns.

I think the DisplayName corresponds to the Size name displayed in the Insert>Frame Member dialog box – but I am not sure on this one yet.

After making edits save and close the xlm file.

Maximize Inventor and select Import in the Frame generator content editor.

Find the xml file you just edited.

After importing you should now see the DisplayName and STOCKNUMBER in the content editor.

Click Save.

You will be warned once again about the update.

After clicking Yes to the update you will get a message that the update was successful.

While in the editor you can right click and see the Thumbnail…

…that will appear in the Frame Generator.

Create a skeleton ipt and save.

Start a new iam and insert the skeleton and save the iam.

Start the Frame Generator and place frame members in the assembly as usual.