Copy of an In Context Part in the same ass'y

[gonzo1982]

I am trying to create a copy of an in-context part in an assy. When I create the copy and bring in the copy into the assembly, the in-context features in the copy do not change appropriately.

I have tried to make it work in various ways (pack and go, save as copy, save as...) and it does not work. The only way out that I can think of is creating a new configuration which I would prefer to avoid.

Apart from that is there any way to make it work?


For eg.
I have Assembly A in which I have Part A and Part B.
Part B references Part A.
I want to create Part C which is an exact copy of Part B.
When I bring in Part C into Assembly A and make changes to the referenced Part A feature and regenerate, Part B changes accordly but Part C does not (out of context references).

 

[ShaggyPE]

Once you do the "copy" function, it is no longer associated with Part A. If it is an exact copy, why can't you simply use another instance of part B?.

You may want to look into creating a second configuration of part B that has any changes that might be present in part C. You could also insert part B into a new part and then make additional changes. Both of these methods will maintain the associativity between "part C" and part A... because they have a permanent link to part B.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

 

[TheTick]

What you need to do is load the copy into the same place (instance) as the original. You can have either-or, but not both.

If you want to substitute C for B, then you can make the swap when you open the assembly, and clicking the "References" button on the open file dialog.

Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

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-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[rgrayclamps]

Hi, gonzo1982:

Your part C is not exact same as part B. Otherwise, you would use 2nd instance of part B. This will make qty. 2 for part B in your assembly.

 

[gonzo1982]

ShaggyPE, TheTick and rGrayclamps,
Thank you all.

I said "exact copy" to keep things simple. I do need to make changes to the copy in future. I guess I could use a config and change preferences so that the config name and not the part name pops up in the BOM and elsewhere in drawings.

Thanks again.

 

[rgrayclamps]

Hi, gonzo1982:

Why would you want to create an "exact copy" of a custom part (part B)?

If you really want to do it, you can still bring in part C into your assembly A, delete the existing in-context relationships, and establish new ones.