Convert Parasolid to Linked Body ~ NX7.5 1

[jerry1423]

I am working on a part file that I had to bring a couple parasolid bodies into. They are supplier parts.
In the model tree, the option is available to convert the parasolid to a linked body (by rmc'ing it and picking it from the menu). No external file is created, it simply lists it as a linked body instead of a parasolid.
I do not see the advantage of converting a parasolid to a linked body, but I could be missing something here.
What is the advantage of converting a parasolid to a linked body? Can it then be constrained ?
I am on NX7.5

 

[JohnRBaker]

This option of converting a 'body' into a 'Linked-Body' is not limited to Bodies which were imported from Parasolid or another source, but rather is available for any non-parametric body, but you're right in one sense, the value in doing this is mostly when you ARE bringing in a body from an external source such as Parasolid from a supplier or partner. By converting the simple 'body' into a 'Linked Body', later on if changes are made to the original model from which the Parasolid was created from, a new Parasolid model could be opened as an NX part file, added as a component to the model where that linked body was created, and then you could edit the linked body to point to the new part file which would update the linked body to match the changes made. And once the Linked Body has been reparented, you can then delete the Component part and your model will have been updated to make the changed source model (from which the second Parasolid model was created from) now the basis for your original NX part file.

And to answer your question; bodies, linked or otherwise, can't be 'constrained'. After all, they are NOT Components in an Assembly, but rather solid/sheet bodies in a part file, no different than if they had been created using regular modeling functions, only in this case, the imported models are just simple bodies with no features or history associated with them.

John R. Baker, P.E.
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Siemens PLM Software Inc.
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[capnhook]

Thanks, guys.....a little lightbulb popped "on" over here. I have a good application for this technique.....

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