CAD designer David Edward Gaskill shows how to apply the Predict Offset and Orientation setting in Inventor to add constraints after your parts have been created.

"Have you ever had components in an assembly placed at the correct location without constraints, and wanted to add a constraint and not have the part move? There is a way to get the result you want without having to measure the distance between parts. Activate the Predict Offset and Orientation checkbox in the Place Constraint dialog box. The part will stay put, add a mate or flush constraint, and predict the offset, thus leaving the part in its original location; now it's constrained.



"Warning: This does not work well with insert. Also, don't forget to turn off the command when you are done."

Notes from Cadalyst tip reviewer Brian Benton: This is a great thing about using design software: We can perform tasks in different ways at different times. This tip can help you automate, to a degree, the constraint process in Inventor. Heed the warning in this tip and make sure you turn off this setting when finished, or else it will keep adding constraints you might not want.