Position and Constrain Components

You can position component instances in 3D, and create constraints to keep instances precisely positioned relative to other geometry in your design.

Inventor has three methods to position and constrain components:

Move

Move uses the triad to change the location and orientation of components. Move cannot permanently position components.

Move can change the position or modify the geometry of a component. Move makes local changes, so it can change the position of child components, such as the rod of a pneumatic cylinder. Move cannot permanently position a component.

Assemble

Assemble uses geometric constraints to determine how components in the assembly fit together. Assemble can temporarily position components or create permanent constraints.

Assemble treats components as rigid bodies, so it can only change the position of components. It cannot change the size or shape of model geometry or the position of child components. For example, Assemble can change the position of a pneumatic cylinder assembly but cannot extend or retract the rod.

Grounded

Grounded is a setting that locks a component in its current location and orientation.

You can turn Grounded on or off by right-clicking on the component in the browser and selecting Grounded. A Grounded component has a pushpin on its browser icon.