iBox components are created as any other assembly controlled by a single skeleton. For more information about the skeleton design method, see our "How To" section. With this skeleton, it is required that its initial geometry is controlled by three parameters:
1.Width
2.Depth
3.Height
The parameter names can be freely chosen to make them easy to read and understand for the user. It is possible that changing one of the parameters does not result in changes to the overall skeleton geometry. For example, a block of facade doors with hinges. Width and height parameters are important for such component, while depth parameter may have no effect on the doors, since the door depth does not change regardless of the measurements of the interior skeleton body. In this case, such parameter can be created as a dummy parameter that has no effects on the geometry of the door skeleton.
Another requirement for the iBox component: the assembly created based on the skeleton must have at least two iMate connections. One connection has to define the orientation of the front and top part of the iBox component. All other iMate connections are set depending on the user’s needs and are auxiliary in nature, i.e. they allow displaying accurately the component in the context of the interior.
For Woodwork for Inventor to see such an assembly as an iBox component, it has to be published. To publish the component, open the file of the assembly which will be transformed into the iBox component. Open the iBox publish command.
To open the command, go to:
Manage -> iBox Author 
1.Selection of Skeleton body Here, the skeleton body controlling the geometry of the iBox component is selected. The command automatically scans assembly parts and searches for basic components, from which parts are derived. These basic components are candidates to become the skeleton body of the created iBox component. The user has to choose one of them.
2.Selection of the parameters that control the dimensions of the skeleton body. The drop-down list shows all the parameters that are in the skeleton body file.
a.Width - specification of the parameter that controls the width of the skeleton body.
b.Depth - specification of the parameter that controls the depth of the skeleton body.
c.Height - specification of the parameter that controls the height of the skeleton body.
3.The iMate positioning connections are selected, as they are required to position the model at the specified location.
a.Indicates the front iMate connection. The drop-down list displays all iMate connections available in the published assembly. The iBox component must have this iMate connection defined. This connection must be of the Flash type.
b.Indicates the top iMate connection. The drop-down list displays all iMate connections available in the published assembly. The iBox component must have this iMate connection defined. This connection must be of the Flash type.
4.The iLogic rules for managing or configuring the iBox component during and after insertion are specified.
a.Configūration - specification of the iLogic rule that calls the iBox control form via the context menu after insertion. This form allows the user to modify predefined options, adapting the design of the iBox component to the required criteria. The following code can be used to call the form:
iLogicForm.Show("Drawer Configuration", FormMode.Modal) // Drawer Configuration
b.Behavior - allows the user to define the iLogic rule that is triggered automatically during insertion/update. This rule can control specific parameters depending on the values of the parameters received. For example, if the height of the iBox component is higher than the maximum possible height, a message dialog should be displayed warning that the maximum possible height of the iBox component is exceeded. Alternatively, as the depth of the component changes, the iBox component, for example, has to progressively select the length of the rail and change the rail configuration accordingly.
5.Automatic Re-sculpt – the user can specify whether they want to automatically perform re-sculpting after inserting or refreshing an iBox component. If so, for which type of parts do they want to do it: those with Woodwork for Inventor attribute information and/or Autodesk Inventor parts only.
Once the command is confirmed, the given assembly is published as an iBox component.
The fact that this component has been successfully published as an iBox component is indicated by the fact that when the iBox Author command is run, the dialog shows all the filled fields. At any time, the user can reopen the iBox assembly file, open the publishing command and change the parameter and iMate connection options.
Code samples and models are available in the library provided with the installation (iBox Library), which is installed by default in C:\ W4INV 202X Design\iBOX LIBRARY catalogue.
Important!
iLogic rules in iBox components
The iBox component does not restrict the creation of various iLogic rules that control this component. This includes the possibility to create callable iLogic dialogs that control the configuration of the iBox component. When using iLogic , it should be borne in mind that during iBox insertion, a copy of the iBox assembly and its skeleton body file is automatically made, saving all the interconnections. However, the names of the files that make up the assembly are changed during copying. Therefore, if the rule you have created controls any file within the assembly, be aware that the reference to the parameter within the part by file name (after iBox insertion) will become invalid. This is especially true if the skeleton body file is accessed from the assembly level. In this case, we recommend that the skeleton body file is inserted into the whole iBox assembly, after it has been published as a Reference or Phantom component.
In the side browser, change the node display name so that it begins with “@” followed by any name understandable to the user (for example, as shown in the figure above, the underlined name “@Skeleton”). “@” is used to disable changes to the node display name introduced when using Visibility Control->Nodes command. Be sure to keep in mind that only Woodwork for Inventor “Rename Browser Nodes” command responds to this exception. While Autodesk Inventor “Rename Browser Nodes” command does not respond to these restrictions and can break the iLogic rule described below. Once the display name is changed, you can enter the iLogic rule that refers to parameters of the given file. This is done via the component display name, not the file name. iLogic rule allows such a method of controlling parameters of sub-components. Now, the name in the iBox copy will remain unchanged after inserting the iBox and iLogic rules retain the correct links to parameters of sub-components.
Where iBox components are stored
Components created in iBox can be stored in the working project space or in the library space. Nominal components are installed at the location of the individual project: C:\W4INV 202x Design\iBOX LIBRARY. However, users can also move them to the workspace. This is particularly relevant for those working with Autodesk Vault. Instructions on how to do this are described in the system settings.
When an iBox component is inserted, the components that make up the iBox assembly are automatically copied. The iBox insert’s copying mechanism works in such a way that those components that are part of the iBox assembly and are available the library space are not copied, but only reused. This is a common working practice in Autodesk Inventor.
However, there are components that need to be copied because they are changed in the design process. So how does the copying function decide which components should be copied and which should be reused, if all components that make up the iBox assembly are stored in the library environment? For this purpose, the program includes a functionality that allows selecting any directory from the library environment in the Autodesk Inventor project and using it as the location to save iBox components. This informs the copying function that the components stored in this special directory have to be copied rather than reused. Therefore, various types of hardware stored outside this special directory will be reused in the iBox assembly, while iBox parts from this special directory will be copied to the workspace for further modification. Such a special library directory used to save iBox components that are to be copied can be selected for any Autodesk Inventor project. This can be done through Woodwork for Inventor settings. To read more, click here.
Republishing old iBox components
The improved iBox publishing mechanism now allows the user to take advantage of all assembly copying functions available in Autodesk Inventor to copy iBox components. This is not so for previously developed iBox components, because only the Woodwork for Inventor plug-in copying function was available. Components were copied by inserting an iBox component and using the Assembly Copier function. This was due to the way the iBox components used to save a reference to the skeleton body. iBox components of the previous version will work in the new Woodwork for Inventor version (v10), but will remain vulnerable to copying. At present, there is no automatic update of iBox components created in an older Woodwork for Inventor version to the new mode. In order to update new iBox components to the new mode, open the iBox component in Woodwork for Inventor v10 environment, run the iBox Author command and close it. Remember to do it with an active Autodesk Inventor project designed for editing iBox components. After performing this operation, the iBox component may be copied using all available Autodesk Inventor functions.