Case studies · 2 Oct 2026 · By Stefano B.
Assembly drawing balloons numbered from the model
263 and 177 balloons: each one reads the part it points at and gets its code. Zero wrong numbers, parts list generated, stainless parts marked.
On a large assembly drawing, numbering balloons by hand is slow and the classic source of errors: a balloon pointing at one part with the number of another. Customer names removed; numbers measured on the delivered files.
How we do it
The designer places the balloons where they read best on the sheet. The numbering is not typed. For each balloon a script follows the leader to the part it touches in the 3D and takes that part's code from the register.
- The number always matches the part the arrow points at.
- The parts list is generated from the same register: code, description, material, quantity.
- Stainless parts are marked on the balloon, so they stand out on the drawing.
- Codes with no balloon on the sheet are reported, so nothing is forgotten.
The numbers
| Assembly A | Assembly B | |
|---|---|---|
| Balloons | 263 | 177 |
| Balloons with the code of their own part | 263 | 177 |
| Wrong or empty | 0 | 0 |
| Stainless (316L) balloons marked | 25 | 16 |
| Parts list rows | 141 | 127 |
On assembly A the check also reported 3 codes with no balloon on the sheet, for the designer to decide.
Into the customer's file
The finished assembly drawing was imported into the customer's DXF. A check compared the file before and after: nothing from the customer's original was lost.
Related: balloons on Inventor assembly drawings with the API · two assemblies, 160 hours down to 104