Copying a design in Inventor? – What tools are available and how do they work

iLogic Design Copy

If you haven’t used this tool before and don’t use iLogic don’t be put off by the name, this is a straightforward tool that has been part of Inventor since the 2010 release. If you feel like you haven’t seen this before that’s because it sits on the home tab and not in a specific environment. iLogic Copy Design allows you to copy multiple designs and files simultaneously. When you select on a file it will identify all of the related documents and allow you to select and unselect files. You can choose the destination for the new assembly and related documents, decide on whether you want a new IPJ file, and opt to copy the iLogic rules. It allows you to keep folder structure and copy complex models and structures. I like this tool overall and it is very hidden not many people use it day to day. While it lacks some advanced features found in tools like Vault Copy Design, it's an excellent choice for basic design copying in Inventor.

Vault Copy Design 

Available only within Vault (both Basic and Professional), Copy Design has the most complex workflow and extensive features. It allows you to create the data outside of the Inventor application and use existing numbering systems within Vault Professional.  You can also configure custom rule sets to amend the files properties when copying a file, this will allow for greater control over the process and further standardisation within the business. Overall, this tool has the most capability, especially when using a numbering system in Vault Professional. It can also allow non-CAD users to run this process if starting a new workflow within Vault.

Assembly Copier (App Store)

Assembly Copier is a tool that was originally designed for Woodwork for Inventor. In the 2025 release, this has been split out as the tool can be used across industries. The Assembly copier tool allows you to duplicate your assemblies, similar to the workflow in Vault’s Copy Design, but this tool operates solely in Inventor. You can also run a pack directly from the assembly copier. One of the main features is the advanced naming capabilities built in, including a sequential numbering option. I would recommend using this tool if you are looking to completely customise your workflow within Inventor of copying and renaming files through the API.

This tool is only available through the Autodesk App Store. A link to further details can be found here: Assemblycopier - Assistant for professionals

Design Assistant

Design Assistant gets installed by default with Inventor and has been created to manage your data without Vault. It allows you to locate your Inventor data and manage any related documents. Due to this purpose, it also has a built-in copy design tool that allows you not only to copy your assemblies and choose to replace them but also to copy and manage properties for each of these files. Design Assistant is again a separate program that runs but it can also be accessed directly through Inventor. Although Design Assistant has other features, I would recommend using this tool to copy a design if wanting to manage the properties of a file. Its workflow isn’t as simple as the rest of the tools but gives you a different approach and is a close tool to the Assembly Copier.

 Enhanced Save As (Sovelia Toolkit)

The ‘Enhanced Save As’ tool is a command that comes with the Sovelia Toolkit for Inventor. This is a quick-use tool that allows you to copy and save the top-level assembly with a drawing without going into the full depths of a design copy tool. It will save the top-level assembly as a new file and locate the relevant drawing creating a new top-level and reusing existing files.

 Conclusion  

These are just a handful of the many tools that are now available to copy the design of a file, each with its pros and cons. So, if after reading this you are still not sure which one to use then here is an overall quick guide to each option:

• Using Vault  -  Vault Copy Design
• Customised approach to naming conventions - Assembly Copier
• Complex designs and property edits - Design Assistant
• Day-to-day quick use without Vault  -  iLogic Design Copy
• Only copy top-level assembly and Drawing – Enhanced Save-as (Sovelia Toolkit for Inventor)

Author

Jason Kelly

Jason has been an Applications Engineer for over 2+ years with his expertise lying in the Manufacturing industry. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a First class honours in Sports Engineering (BEng), which included CAD and design modules. Jason's knowledge broadens to products such as Inventor Professional, Vault, AutoCAD and also has experience with installations, upgrades, and licensing. He has also given talks and run training courses on Inventor add-ins such as Factory Design Utilities and Rendering & Animation.