Virtual Components

• Jan 27, 2017

• #2

PAULatREDWORKS

Industrial

Jan 26, 2017

11

US

virtual parts/assems are parts that are saved with in that assembly (there is no external file associated with that part). I use virtual parts only to put in some mock substrate or meaningless reference part. I Always save out my official parts in the assem. To make a virtual part no longer virtual you must save it out as an external file. You get this option when you try and save after creating a new part in the assem. If you want to save it out after the fact: right click on the part, extend the pop up menu and look for "save part to external file." That should be it. Works the same with sub-assems but virtual sub-assems shouldn't come around too often.

 

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• Jan 27, 2017

• #3

AnnaWood

Mechanical

Apr 16, 2006

765

US

You can disable this in the System Options > Assemblies > Toggle On "Save New Components To External Files"

Virtual components have been in SolidWorks since SolidWorks 2008.

Anna Wood
SW2015 SP5, Windows 7 x64

 

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• Jan 30, 2017

• Thread starter
• #4

drawoh

Mechanical

Oct 1, 2002

8,969

CA

AnnaWood,

I have been generating virtual components and converting them to real components. I had no idea I was doing this. I am not having a problem with them. Virtual components might be a work-around for our PDM. When I create new components, I attach drawings to them immediately, which may rule out virtual components.

I was curious about how people use this feature.

--
JHG

 

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• Feb 1, 2017

• #5

CorBlimeyLimey

Mechanical

Nov 5, 2003

15,292

CA

I use VC's for things like non-standard shaped O-rings, epoxy seals, fluids, or anything which doesn't conform to the definition of a stockable part.
I also use them extensively for concept assembly designs.

 

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• Feb 2, 2017

• Thread starter
• #6

drawoh

Mechanical

Oct 1, 2002

8,969

CA

CorBlimeyLimey,

Thanks.

It has been a while since we have seen you. Welcome back!

--
JHG

 

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• May 19, 2017

• #7

APPENG

Mechanical

Jan 22, 2002

366

US

I used to use VC's a lot when modeling assemblies that i wanted to be able to explode but were purchased parts that i did not want to carry the sub-components on my BOM. This worked quite well until i got stung. When you create a VC, Solidworks creates a TEMP file for it and one time a crashed and my VC's were all toast and not having a way to get them back i had to remodel them all.

Unfortunately, that is a default option in SWX. I didn't change my options though because when I use them now im usually using them like a scratch pad and if I like what ive got, then I will save out to the network to keep it.

Regards,
Jon

 

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