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(continued...) Pack and Go is accessible by right clicking an Inventor file within Windows Explorer and in theory in a Design Assistant session although this does not seem to be the case if Design Assistant is launched from within Inventor.
Design Assistant is another tool to find, track, and maintain Inventor files.
Where used queries can be run and file properties viewed, edited and copied between files.
Design properties can be used in file searches and to automatically update title blocks and parts lists in drawings.
Inventor 4 introduces iPart Factories as spreadsheet driven intelligent parts.
Once configurable parts have been created, the required configuration can be specified during insertion into an assembly.
After an assembly update any iParts that have been edited externally will be indicated to allow an appropriate configuration to be reselected.
Basic construction surfaces can now be created by extruding, revolving, sweeping, or lofting sketch geometry.
Although this does not represent full surface modelling functionality it can be used to create more complex forms by modifying solids using splits or as extents for extrusions.
3D paths can also now be used for loft and sweep operations to achieve further model complexity.