How to move a subassy in feature tree? 1

[Timelord]

I've got an assembly made from two subassemblies. I want to move a part out of one subassembly into the top assembly. So far dragging in the feature tree just places it into the other subassembly. Control drag makes a copy and alt drag makes no difference. Is there a way to do this other than delete and add?

TIA,

Timelord

 

[SBaugh]

Ctrl-Drag and dropping it under (Or on top of ) the sub assembly works for me. It didn't place it in the sub-assembly like SW04 used to do.

Regards

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[Timelord]

Scott,

Thanks for the quick answer. Ctrl-drag gives me the little white arrow symbol with a plus sign on it and makes a copy instead of moving it. The copy of course doesn't have any external mates in the assembly which is what I was trying to preserve.

Timelord

 

[SBaugh]

Yes you are right it does copy it. I would just delete it from the other assembly by editing the sub at the main assembly level and re mate. I don't think you can do what you want easily without doing the above.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[gsagolla]

Just drag the part from the subassembly to the top-level assembly - no alt, ctrl, shift, etc. - and you should see the black diagonal, "2 way" arrows (very first item in the feature tree). This should move the part and preserve its mates, at least it does in SW2005 SP2.0.

The only issue I've encountered is when the part you want to move has suppressed mates in the subassembly (i.e. multiple configurations). Then moving the part can cause mating problems as SW unsuppresses all mates which can lead to rebuild errors.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Why not use the Tools > Reorganize components feature?
Then you get to see what mates or sketches are being affected.


Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520

 

[Timelord]

CorBlimeyLimey,

Great tip, I didn't even know that command existed. That's what I get for not reading "whats new" when I upgrade. What version did that command come with? To bad I already deleted and added and remated.

Timelord

 

[btcoutermash]

Is Tools>Reorginize components new in 2005. I do not see it in 2004?

 

[MElam]

It's in 2004.

If you don't see it go to Tools, Customize Menu and check it.

 

[ongybill]

Thanks for the tip.

Tools Reorganize Components wasn't even showing in my menu.

Just went and customized all menus so ALL commands show.

There were several that were hidden.

How am I supposed to figure out what they're for and how to use them if I don't even know they exist?

 

[kellnerp]

Look at what the mouse cursor is telling you. When you drag something under and assembly it will typically want to insert it into that assembly. You can prevent the arrows chasing their tails icon by holding the ALT key down while dragging.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Also, holding down the Ctrl key will insert a copy into the sub-assy.

How am I supposed to figure out what they're for and how to use them if I don't even know they exist?

If you knew the Customize option was there, why didn't you investigate what it was & did?
If you see a button, switch, icon or option you are unsure about, read up on it in the Help files ... that's why they are there. Another way to learn is to simply try the button, switch, etc, & see what happens.


Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520

 

[ongybill]

>>If you knew the Customize option was there, why didn't you investigate what it was & did?

I had, in fact I'd done this in drawing mode, but not part mode. But, there is a multiplicity of commands in SW. I count 34 toolbars. I typically have 6-8 showing. 20 of them I've probably never used. I doubt most users are proficient with a majority of commands. I probably use 10%.

Plus, if you customize toolbars there are usually additional commands that can be added to each toolbar. Of course, they're just little grafical icons, so you have to figure out what they are called, then research and find what they do.

Right now I try to learn a new command a day. So I spend a little time here and a bit of time in the help section, but most of the time I just try to get work done.

Anybody ever see a total command count? I'd guess there are over a 1000 different menu/toolbar items.