There are two setting in the Inventor Application Options that control the associativity of cross part projected geometry when you are modeling a part in the context of an assembly. This is commonly called "Top Down Design". These two options are located on the Assembly Tab and generally do the same thing but with different selection sets.
In my example, I want to use the same geometry and features from the bottom plate in the gold top plate. This is a very simple example but I hope it explains the different between the two option settings. I am editing the gold block in the assembly and have started a new sketch on the top of the gold block.
I will deal with the options "Enable associative edge/loop geometry projection during in-place modeling" first. With this option enabled I can use the Project Geometry, I can select the Loop edge of the triangle cutout and create an associative sketch which is linked to the original triangle cutout shape. The project geometry is green indicating it is reference geometry.
If I remove the check mark before the same application option and perform the same operation, the project geometry is dark blue. This indicated the sketch is fully constrainted but is not associative with the feature shape on the bottom plate.
The application option " Enable associative sketch geometry projection during in-place modeling" accomplishes the same task as the previous option but it enables you to use sketches from another part as the projected associative link. I have removed the slot feature and retained the sketch. Using the Project Geometry tool I can select the slot sketch and create an associative sketch on the top plate.
If I remove the check box on the application option, the sketch will be projected in the same manner but will not be associative to the bottom plate sketch.
The two options are very similar in their function, they vary depending on the type of entity you select. I recommend you leave both application options checked and use the Ctrl key to toggle the creation of associative or non-associative geometry.
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