Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
orientation to the X, Y, and Z axes. As shown earlier in Figure 1.13 the X axis is
red, the Y axis is green, and the Z axis is blue. Although it isn't always critical to
orient parts in a particular direction, doing so can be useful for understanding
how a part is constructed and for sketching a horizontal or vertical relationship
between points.
The Status Bar
The fi nal major screen element I'd like to review before you begin working in
Inventor is the status bar. This term refers to the display along the bottom edge
of the Inventor window. It has multiple functions, but most of them are for
delivering information.
NOTE If you're an AutoCAD user, you probably noticed that there is no
“command line” in Inventor. However, when you're in a command, if you
become unsure of what is expected, you can look at the lower-left corner of
the Inventor window: on the status bar will be a prompt describing what is
expected of you.
While you're creating geometry, the right side of the status bar displays feed-
back about that geometry. For example, while you're drawing a line, the status
bar tells you the position of your endpoint, along with the line's length and direc-
tion. This helps you to approximate the size of the geometry you're creating.
The status bar has a couple of other important capabilities. At the far right, you'll
fi nd two numbers. The fi rst of the two numbers represents Total Occurrences in
Active Document, which is the number of parts being shown on screen. The second
number represents the Open Documents in Session, which is the number of fi les
being accessed by Inventor.
For example, an assembly that has fi ve copies of one part fi le in it may display
the numbers 5 and 2 because you're displaying fi ve components on screen that
reside in two fi les — one part fi le and an assembly fi le. The Shock Absorber
Front.iam that you loaded shows that there are 19 total occurrences and 18
active fi les in Inventor.
Revisiting the Quick Access Tools
With the Assembly fi le loaded, some new items appear on the Quick Access
Toolbar.
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