Northbear,
Use amcombine and join the hole assy to one part (all instances must be local - MDT 3). Then use explode and it
all becomes one solid. By the way - it does not require all parts to be connected or intersecting.

Regs,
Linqur

Thanks for the help.  The problem with this solution is that for as many parts and assemblys as I need to do it would take me forever!  the reason is that you have to add the peices one at a time... if there is a way of combining all peices in one step please let me know.. that would be perfect!

Thanks for the responce.

NorthBear

Hi
Maybe a little custom program of
for...each cycle would help?
Linqur

ok, here's what you can do...

save the file you are working on
(let's call it "assembly_1")

then open a new or existing assembly file that you wish to attach "assembly_1" to.  "Assembly_1" now becomes a "part" in the new assembly file... it will move as 1 part...

if "assembly_1" needs to be changed, open the original "assembly_1" file... edit and save, then reopen the file it was attached to.

I will tell you how to do what you want to do, then I will tell you how I recomend doing it.  First of all, you could use "AMCOMBINE" to combine parts in a child sub-assembly but it will not work in a parent sub-assembly.  By parent sub-assembly, I mean a sub-assembly can have additional sub-assemblies in it (2 or 200, whatever)  Also, a part cannot be combined with another of the same part in a sub-assembly.  Probably the fastest way to do what you want would be a three step process.  First in MDT, use "ACISOUT" and select all of the parts, and save it to a file.  Next, open regular Autocad, and use "ACISIN" to bring in the file you just made.  Now use "COMBINE" to combine all the parts into one.  These 2 ways will not meet the end result requirements.  The first option I mentioned is limited, and the second option I mentioned does combine all of the parts, but the file you end up with will be about 20% BIGGER than what you started with.  Also, Autocad 2000 & 2002 makes it much easier to modify solids.
If you want 3D images, first apply materials to the parts, then choose a view you like, or rotate it as to how you like it, then render it using the photo real option.  Next use "SAVEIMG" and save it as a .bmp, .tif, or .jpg.  I said use render, because if you just use shade (gouraud, etc.), the image will be saved as a 2d wireframe.
If you just need 2D images, then prepare a layout the way you like it (however they need it), then use "AMVIEWOUT" and save the file.  Now the file will be about 80% SMALLER than the original drawing, and can be opened in reqular autocad.  The file will be editable, but I guess I can't meet all of your requirements 100%.  
By the way, You didn't mention which MDT you were using, but I hope this helps.        
                                       Flores

Have you tried exploding the assembly?  You need to explode sub-assemblies and parts aswell but you are left with non-parametric solids.

I always end up doing this when exporting to another software program.

Matt

have u tried saving the file to drawing web format (dwf) in isometric view?  or how about volo view? or maybe exporting to 3d studio max the adobe photoshop