Remove the link between drawing and 3D assembly? 1

[sixmillionways]

Hi, some more help needed.

I am creating a drawing with multiple views of the same 3D assembly, with each view having a slightly different position of components. However every time I change the position of one of the components in the assembly, each drawing view also updates. How can I switch off that link between the assembly and the drawing so that after I've placed a drawing view it will remain the same whatever I do to the assembly component positions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MDGroup]

The best way to do this is to set up multiple Configurations in your assembly. Each configuration can show the parts in a different position/orientaion.

Then for each drawing view, select the configuration that you would like to see. Once defined any changes you make to the other configurations wont change the configuration selected for that view.

All of the drawings will show the different positions that you want, and they will still be linked to the assy so any changes you make will be updated in the drawing.

Hope this helps,
Lou



-Lou

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Create configurations of the model. Each config setting the model at the different positions. Each drawing view can then call up a different config.

 

[sixmillionways]

Thank you for your advice. I have tried to do this but each time I change the position of a component in one of my configurations it alters the position in all the other configurations. Altering transparency/colour etc stays unique in each configuration but not the component position! What am I missing?

 

[MDGroup]

I am assuming that you are using mates to position the components. I am also assuming that you are sharing the same mate in both configurations.

What you have:
Config 1 - References Mate 1
Config 2 - References Mate 1
So, any change to Mate 1 will show in both configs

What you need is to create separate mates for each config:

Config 1 - Mate 1 is Un-Suppressed, Mate 2 is suppressed
Config 2 - Mate 1 is Suppressed, Mate 2 is Un-Surpressed.

This way config 1 will go go to the position of mate 1, and config 2 will go to the position of mate 2 and you can change each mate independently of each other.

-Lou

 

[sixmillionways]

Yes - I just discovered that I have to use mates - I was trying to do this using free movement of components but I think that is not possible...

Rather inconvenient because I am finding it a little difficult to create the positions I need using mates!

Thanks again for your help

 

[EEnd]

If you have distance or angle mates, their value can be configuration specific.

I do not think that configurations can be used to separate / control positions along degrees of freedom. (i.e. It will not work to simply drag a component to a position in one configuration and then drag it to a different position in another configuration.)

Also look into design tables. It is usually easier to keep everything straight in the table.

Eric

 

[ctopher]

You may also try:
Rotate the model to the view you like, go to INSERT/DRAWING VIEW/MODEL. The view will be a snapshot of the model view.
Just a thought.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 4.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

 

[JMirisola]

Rather than trying to move the component(s) via mates, try this: Create a new configuration. Suppress the necessary mates to allow for component movement. Manually move the component to the desired location. Add distance/angle mates to hold it in place for that configuration. Repeat as needed.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[MadMango]

In the past, I have created multiple Configurations with unique Explode Views for each. This gives me the freedom of drag & place, and Configs specific views for Drawings.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

What you have:
Config 1 - References Mate 1
Config 2 - References Mate 1
So, any change to Mate 1 will show in both configs

Not necessarily. You could use the This Configuration or Specify Configuration(s) options in the Modify dialogue box. You don't have to have separate mates.

 

[MDGroup]

CBL,
You are correct.
It will likely give you a cleaner model if you 'Specify Configuration(s)' for each of the different scenarios instead of creating a new mate for every configuration.
Also, it will be easier to locate a single mate that drives multiple configs rather than sorting thru a much longer list of mates to find the one you need.


Thanks,
Lou

 

[JMirisola]

First, I want to recant my previous post.

If I'm reading sixmillionway's question correctly (this time), he wants to move the same part(s) differently with each drawing view (configuration), without having to rely on mates. If that's the case, then MadMango's idea is the best way to accomplish it, IMO. He'll be able to move the part(s) as he wishes.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[sixmillionways]

Thank you all for your contributions - this forum has helped me out as always!

 

[rjason71]

Or, as the title of this thread has asked, you could permanently break the drawing's link to the model by saving the drawing as a "*.dwg" file.

 

[ongybill]

I've tried what you're doing several times. Seems no matter how careful I am setting up the configurations, each time I open the model at least 1 sheet in the detail dwgs is messed up. I often need to do this to show different machine positions for the equipment I design. The SW's way of doing things is just such a nit-picky day-eating pain that I've found it's just much easier to save each different configuration as a unique assembly: TTS Fixture Right View, TTS Fixture Max Extension, TTS Fix Front View & so on.

I then create the range-of-motion drawings as 1 drawing file w/ multiple sheets. Each sheet referencing the appropriate drawing. Not an ideal solution, but it works, and it works the first time. With the config/proper method it's a crap shoot everytime I make even the slightest change as to which config will get messed up.