How to create Multiple instance copies
How to create Multiple instance copies
(OP)
Hi,
I've been trying to make a multiple (12 copies to be exact in the current project) instance copies of a part that I made in NX 11.0. I understand that there are two ways to do it.
1. Use extract geometry and check 'Associative' under setting tab.
The problem that I am facing with this method is that when using Extract Geometry with Type Body, and Associative option checked, I can't seem to separate the copy from the original. After extracting Geometry with Type Body, I used move object tool to apply transformation on the extracted (or original) geometry, but it seems that the second body moves with it.
Another problem with this approach is, there was no way to make multiple copies at once using this tool.
2. The second option that I read on this forum was to use Pattern Geometry.
I faced no problem in copying, but when I applied any feature to the original body, it does not update on its associative copies.
I've been trying to make a multiple (12 copies to be exact in the current project) instance copies of a part that I made in NX 11.0. I understand that there are two ways to do it.
1. Use extract geometry and check 'Associative' under setting tab.
The problem that I am facing with this method is that when using Extract Geometry with Type Body, and Associative option checked, I can't seem to separate the copy from the original. After extracting Geometry with Type Body, I used move object tool to apply transformation on the extracted (or original) geometry, but it seems that the second body moves with it.
Another problem with this approach is, there was no way to make multiple copies at once using this tool.
2. The second option that I read on this forum was to use Pattern Geometry.
I faced no problem in copying, but when I applied any feature to the original body, it does not update on its associative copies.





RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
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RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
Please accept my apologies for not explaining my situation clearly. I am following a tutorial where it first instructs to make instance copies, then arrange them, and after that apply some features to it. Although the tutorial is for SW, I am trying to do it in NX
Now I realise that I can apply features before making copies, and since this part is not so complex or big, it won't cost me more than 5 minutes.
But I wanted to know for future, when I won't have the liberty to just rollback hours of work ( or add each feature to all copies individualy) to add just one extra feature.
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
Assuming "associative" option was checked, you can then right-click on your original patterned feature, edit with rollback or select "Make current feature" and then apply a new edit to the geometry. After that click "update to end" and the new changes to the geometry should cascade down and affect the patterned instances.
I actually just wrote a tutorial on the pattern geometry function, read it here for more details: https://nxprotips.com/2016/08/17/pattern-geometry-...
Felix K. Holloway
www.nxprotips.com
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
So I figured out why the features applied on original body were not being updated on the associative copies. The reason was that the time stamp order somehow gets messed up.
After creating multiple bodies with Pattern Geometry, when I applied Edge Blend feature, the Edge Blend feature ended up to be last feature in the Part Navigator (see attached screenshot). When I place the feature above the Pattern Geometry time stamp, the feature were also updated on the associated copies. Is this behavior normal?
The reason I am confused is because I read a post (read HERE) from JohnRBaker in which he said:
Although he was talking about Extract Geometry, I assumed that all Associative Geometry will behave the same way, and I won't need to place applied feature above the Pattern Geometry time stamp since they will always end up as the "Last feature in the Part Navigator".
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
Well, you were wrong. The "extract geometry" command has an "at timestamp" option that you can toggle on or off as needed (usually it is best to turn it on) which the pattern geometry commands do not have.
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
John Baker is absolutely right here as usual, but it's not correct to assume all associative geometry creations are like that. Just open up Pattern Geoemetry and you will see there is no option to change a time-stamp location under Settings. I believe Extract is unique in that respect. Be careful using it I would not advise it except if you really know what you are doing.
Editing anywhere in the history tree is easy, like I said before just right click on a feature and make it current. That will take you back in time so you can make your needed edits.
Felix K. Holloway
www.nxprotips.com
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
Regrards,
Uzair Suria
RE: How to create Multiple instance copies
Felix K. Holloway
www.nxprotips.com