Rendering Coloured features?

[Hickoz_bro]

Hi all,

just wondering if there's an easy way to render coloured features, such as emboss (where you can select the color of the feature). so far the only way i've found is to manually select all the areas embossed, then right click -> properties -> and re-select the colour.

Also, is it possible to "dis-associate" balloons from views? so that if i move a view, the balloon DOESN'T move with it?

any suggestions?

cheers



p.s. Using Inventor 11, sp3.

[Aardvark]

In the model tree, RMB on the feature, select properties, change the feature color style. The whole feature will be changed.

[Mr T]

I think you can RMB 'break' the link to the balloons. IV 7 here so can't confirm.

Nick

[Hickoz_bro]

In the model tree, RMB on the feature, select properties, change the feature color style. The whole feature will be changed.

yeah, i figured this way out myself... but unfortunatly, we have several existing models with embossed details, and i would prefer to not have to go and change properties for each feature...



I think you can RMB 'break' the link to the balloons. IV 7 here so can't confirm.

Nick

think i've tried this, only 'break' i've seen is when your break alignment between drawing views... but don't recall seeing anything for balloons... will check again though...

[Aardvark]

Maybe I'm not understanding your question completely. Are you asking if there is a way to take a group of files (or a single file) and change the color of all features of a certain type all at once without selecting each feature individually?

If that is the case I would have to say the answer is no. There is a tool that might make this a little easier though.

http://www.mcadforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3453&highlight=change

[Hickoz_bro]

Maybe I'm not understanding your question completely. Are you asking if there is a way to take a group of files (or a single file) and change the color of all features of a certain type all at once without selecting each feature individually?

If that is the case I would have to say the answer is no. There is a tool that might make this a little easier though.

http://www.mcadforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3453&highlight=change

you know how you can select a color when your doing an emboss feature? well i want to be able to render a model, using that color selection to "dictate' (for lack of a better word) how the rendered feature.

probably best if you try it yourself, you might see exactly what i mean... just start a model, and emboss some text on one surface, set the emboss color to red (or any color). but do this using the emboss feature, NOT edit feature properties. then render the model, and the emboss text will appear "as material" not the color you selected.

[Mr T]

you know how you can select a color when your doing an emboss feature? well i want to be able to render a model, using that color selection to "dictate' (for lack of a better word) how the rendered feature.

probably best if you try it yourself, you might see exactly what i mean... just start a model, and emboss some text on one surface, set the emboss color to red (or any color). but do this using the emboss feature, NOT edit feature properties. then render the model, and the emboss text will appear "as material" not the color you selected.

Render the model 'as material' which is the right colour then change the rest of the model features to whatever ?

Nick

[Hickoz_bro]

Render the model 'as material' which is the right colour then change the rest of the model features to whatever ?

Nick


Okay yes, i understand you can do it this way, but it's not the way i want to do it.

This is harder to explain then i could have imagined :?

there are 4 ways to set material colour.

1. part material selection drop down box in the top right hand corner (by default). this will change the entire model except for those features or surfaces with material overrides.

2. surface override, select a (group of) surface(s) right click, select properties, and select material.

3. feature override, select a feature, right click on the feature tree, select properties and select material.

4. some features (emboss, probably others) allow you to select a feature color whilst your selecting feature attributes such as direction, depth, etc (have a look at the small grey box on the bottom left of the emboss feature window).

material selections created using method 1, 2 or 3 render easily, and the outcome is as per the material selection. if the material selection has been made via method 4, then the model will not render as desired.

my question is this. is there a way to make the model render as desired when the material has been selected using method 4, WITHOUT changing the materials using methods 2 or 3? the reason being alot of models have already been created using alot of method 4, and i'm trying to avoid RE-selecting materials for each and every feature.

does that help?:unsure:

[Mr T]

It seems to be buggy, quite often kids change materials then render and it has not changed.

Nick

[Aardvark]

I understand now!

Unfortunately, Inventor studio is totally different animal from the generic tools of Inventor. Many things don't function quite right when trying to use Studio. I would say that your best bet is to not use that function of Emboss (I don't usually, though I also don't do much rendering so you issue has never come up). I'm not really sure why they included that particular feature in the emboss tool.

Changing the "color" does not affect the material. The two are mutually exclusive. Changing the color as described in methods 2 and 3, does not effect the material of the part.

Sorry that I can't give you a better answer but I hope you find a way around your predicament.

[Mr T]

I think it was a way to show an etched/lasered bit of text.

Nick

[Hickoz_bro]

thanks for the help guys... another question answered :)