Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Assembly
Help Topic Collection
Managing Views........................................................................................... 1
Pro/NOTEBOOK ...................................................................................... 3
Assembling Components....................................................................... 4
allow_package_children .......................................................................... 6
allow_redo_intersections ......................................................................... 6
allow_ref_scope_change ......................................................................... 7
allow_save_as_instance .......................................................................... 7
assem_placement_ignore_units................................................................ 7
auto_assembly_with_layouts ................................................................... 7
auto_constr_always_use_offset................................................................ 7
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autoplace_single_comp ........................................................................... 7
can_snap_to_missing_ref ........................................................................ 8
check_same_assy_parts.......................................................................... 8
comp_angle_offset_eps........................................................................... 8
comp_assemble_start ............................................................................. 8
comp_assemble_with_interface ................................................................ 8
comp_offset_dec_places ......................................................................... 9
comp_snap_angle_tolerance .................................................................... 9
comp_snap_dist_tolerance ...................................................................... 9
comp_rollback_on_redef ......................................................................... 9
convert_to_wf3_replace .......................................................................... 9
copy_geom_update_pre_2000i_dep.......................................................... 9
create_temp_interfaces........................................................................... 9
default_comp_geom_scope.....................................................................10
default_comp_invalid_refs ......................................................................10
default_comp_scope_setting...................................................................10
default_comp_skel_geom_scope .............................................................10
default_comp_skel_scope_setting............................................................10
default_ext_ref_scope............................................................................10
default_obj_constraints_scope ................................................................10
default_object_geom_scope....................................................................11
default_object_invalid_refs .....................................................................11
default_object_scope_setting..................................................................11
default_placement_scope .......................................................................11
dim_inactive_components ......................................................................11
dont_show_symbol_nodes ......................................................................11
enable_advance_collision .......................................................................12
enable_assembly_accuracy.....................................................................12
enable_implied_joints ............................................................................12
erv_show_external_only.........................................................................12
exec_prog_on_assem_retr .....................................................................12
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fail_ref_copy_when_missing_orig ............................................................12
fast_highlight........................................................................................12
fix_refs_to_intersections ........................................................................13
force_upd_assem_mp_in_simp_rep .........................................................13
freeze_failed_assy_comp........................................................................13
ignore_all_ref_scope_settings .................................................................13
ignore_export_geom_declaration.............................................................14
mass_property_calculate........................................................................14
model_allow_ref_scope_change ..............................................................14
mp_calc_level .......................................................................................14
multiple_skeletons_allowed ....................................................................14
package_constraints ..............................................................................14
package_ref_alert .................................................................................14
placement_rep_by_default .....................................................................14
preserve_comp_color_in_preview ............................................................15
ref_scope_copy_color ............................................................................15
ref_scope_copy_color_change.................................................................15
ref_scope_no_pick_to_copy ....................................................................15
ref_scope_no_pick_to_prohibit................................................................15
ref_scope_prohibit_color ........................................................................16
ref_scope_prohibit_color_change ............................................................16
regen_int_mdls_on_retr .........................................................................16
regen_layout_w_assem..........................................................................16
regen_simp_retrieve..............................................................................16
replace_comp_name_method .................................................................16
retrieve_data_sharing_ref_parts..............................................................17
retrieve_instance_dependencies ..............................................................17
retrieve_merge_ref_parts.......................................................................17
save_display_status_in_submodel ...........................................................17
scope_invalid_refs .................................................................................17
sel_insts_on_comp_retrieval...................................................................18
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shrinkwrap_alert ...................................................................................18
simprep_ondemand_activation ................................................................18
simprep_ondemand_cleanup...................................................................18
simprep_ondemand_editing ....................................................................18
simprep_ondemand_regeneration............................................................19
simprep_ondemand_selection .................................................................19
simprep_ondemand_settings ..................................................................19
skeleton_model_default_color .................................................................19
spin_with_part_entities ..........................................................................20
start_model_dir ....................................................................................20
style_state_transparency .......................................................................20
update_rep_refs....................................................................................20
use_new_intchg ....................................................................................20
visible_annotations_scope ......................................................................20
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vii
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About Bodies......................................................................................56
Using Motion Axis Parameters and Dimensions in Family Table Instances ...64
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To Edit a Snapshot..............................................................................91
To Remove a Snapshot........................................................................91
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xiv
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To Toggle the Display of Parents and Children in the Reference Viewer .... 193
Setup.............................................................................................. 195
Task 4-2: Break Dependencies and Retrieve Missing References ............. 202
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Tip: View the Status of Locally Copied References from the Model Tree.... 212
To Control the Visibility of a Part Layer at the Assembly Level ................... 216
Controlling the Visibility of Part Layers at the Assembly Level .................... 217
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To Replace a Component with an Instance from its Family Table ............. 225
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About Propagating Annotation Elements into Data Sharing Features ........ 266
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To Create an External Simplified Representation Using the New Dialog Box . 306
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Assembly
Assembly Overview
The Assembly Help describes the procedure of assembling parts created in Pro/ENGINEER Part
mode. It offers information about working with assembled models and managing assembly
projects. Refer to these help topics for information on using the Assembly environment, tools, and
techniques.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
Using Assembly
Assembly Functions
Pro/ENGINEER provides basic assembly tools, and various Pro/ENGINEER modules
give you additional functionality for assembly operations.
Assembly supports the design and management of large and complex assemblies
through the use of powerful tools such as simplified representations, interchange
assemblies, and the use of Top Down design procedures.
Simplified Representations
Simplified representations are variations of a model you can use to change the view
of a particular design, enabling you to control which members of an assembly
Pro/ENGINEER brings into session and displays. This lets you tailor your work
environment to include only the information of current interest to you. You can, for
example, temporarily remove a complicated subassembly from memory that is
unrelated to the portion of the assembly on which you need to work. You can also
substitute a complicated subassembly or part with a simpler part or envelope.
Using advanced performance tools, you can speed up the retrieval process and
general work performance of large assemblies using simplified representations.
Simplified representations also allow you to show a component in a symbolic state.
This means that no geometry is shown for a component. Instead, a symbol
represents placement of the component. Mass properties can be calculated using the
placement point of the components and actual mass properties of the part. You can
also create a user defined 3D symbol to represent the symbolic part.
External representations can be created without modifying the master assembly.
External simplified representations are created in separate specialized assembly files.
Interchange Assemblies
An interchange assembly is a special kind of assembly that you can create and then
use in a design assembly. An interchange assembly consists of models that are
related either by function or representation. You can create both functional
interchanges (to replace functionally equivalent components) and simplify
interchanges (to substitute components in a simplified representation) in the same
interchange assembly. Interchange assemblies, like family tables and layouts,
provide a powerful method of automatic replacement.
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Assembly
Skeleton Models
The skeleton model of the assembly is the framework of the assembly. A skeleton
model is a specialized component of an assembly that defines skeletal, space claim,
interface, and other physical properties of an assembly design that you can use to
define geometry of components. In addition, you can use skeleton models to perform
motion analysis on an assembly by creating placement references to the skeleton
model and then modifying the skeleton dimensions to imitate motion.
Skeleton models can be used to capture in a central location design criteria defined
in the subassembly or delivered from a higher-level assembly. Using skeleton models
in more than one assembly allows you to distribute design criteria associatively
throughout the product structure. When design criteria change, updating is
propagated to affected components. Skeleton models provide a clearly understood
hierarchy of driving design criteria, they provide an organized display, and they allow
improved performance. Skeleton models are the recommended mechanism for
controlling top-level design iterations, and you can use them to facilitate task
distribution.
Skeletons are represented by a unique icon in the Model Tree because their
functional characteristics are significantly different from those of other components.
Skeleton models can be filtered out the BOM and drawing views and can be specially
handled during the creation and manipulation of simplified representations and
Shrinkwrap features. Skeleton models are placed before all other components with
solid geometry in the model tree. Reference scope control settings can be used to
restrict making assembly placement references to skeleton models only.
Skeleton models, like regular components, can be replaced by both family table
instances and other skeleton models. You can copy a part model component into a
new skeleton model, as long as the part model satisfies the skeleton model criteria.
You can generate a native skeleton model, based on a native part model, and have it
replace the part model in an assembly, with all references remapped to the new
skeleton model. This effectively allows a part to be designated as a native skeleton
model, through the use of a new model file.
Skeleton models can maintain their own family tables. This enhancement allows
assemblies to maintain different skeleton instances across a family table.
Although skeletons can be created only within an assembly, they can be retrieved,
operated upon, and saved as ordinary parts.
Pro/NOTEBOOK
The optional Pro/NOTEBOOK module supports top-down assembly design with tools
that enable you to create hierarchically-linked assembly layouts.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
Creating Assemblies
Assembling Components
You can add components to an assembly in the following ways:
• Assemble a component parametrically by specifying its position relative to the
base component or other components and/or datum features in the assembly.
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Assembly
• You can pattern the first component you add, creating a flexible design.
• You can reorder subsequent components to come before the first one (if the
components are not children of the first component).
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
• Associated variables or values. The default values for the options are shown in
italics.
• Brief description.
2. Click the Show only options loaded from file check box to see currently
loaded configuration options or clear this check box to see all configuration
options.
3. Select the configuration option from the list or type the configuration option
name in the Option box.
5. Click Add/Change. The configuration option and its value appear in the list. A
green status icon confirms the change.
allow_copy_with ext_refs
Allow a part with external references to be mirrored copy. Note that any features of
the original component that are dependent become independent.
allow_package_children
all, feature, none
Sets allowances of features to reference packaged components. After you set this
option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.
all—Allows both feature and component placement references
feature—Allows only geometric feature references
none—Disables both feature and component placement references
allow_redo_intersections
yes, no
yes—Displays the ReIntersect command in the ASSY FEAT menu.
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Assembly
allow_ref_scope_change
yes, no
To change the reference scope settings.
yes—Changes to reference scope settings allowed.
no—Displays the message: "Reference Scope changes are prohibited by the
configuration file settings." when the Ref Scope user interface is changed.
After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of
Pro/ENGINEER.
allow_save_as_instance
no, yes
Allows the option to save a copy of the active model as a family table instance.
assem_placement_ignore_units
no, yes
yes—Enables an automatic update of model units when placing a model whose unit
settings are different from the assembly unit settings. The unit settings of the placed
model update to those of the assembly.
no—Disables automatic unit update.
auto_assembly_with_layouts
yes, no
Controls automatic assembly.
yes—Enables automatic assembly.
no—Disables automatic assembly.
auto_constr_always_use_offset
yes, no
Controls whether auto constraint creates offsets.
yes—Auto constraint always creates offsets.
no—Auto constraint snaps align or mate if surfaces are within tolerance.
autoplace_single_comp
yes, no
Assembling components with an interface automatically places the component at the
first position satisfying the interface definitions.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
can_snap_to_missing_ref
yes, no
Enables snapping to missing references while using the drag-and-drop operation for
component placement.
check_same_assy_parts
yes, no
Determine whether to permit different names for different part occurrences or not in
the mirror subassembly user interface.
comp_angle_offset_eps
Specifies the angle epsilon when the selected surface is equal or greater than the
epsilon (in degrees). An angle offset constraint is created.
comp_assemble_start
Adjusts the position of a component during placement.
default, constrain_in_window, package, move_then_place
default—Displays the component being placed outside the assembly.
constrain_in_window—Displays the component being assembled in a separate
window.
package—Attaches the component being assembled to the pointer. Move the
component to the required location, click, and open the Placement panel to place the
component.
move_then_place—Attaches the component being assembled to the pointer. Move
the component to the required location, click, and select references to place the
component.
comp_assemble_with_interface
default_multi, default_single, from_list, none
Options for placing a component with configured interfaces.
default_multi—You can automatically place multiple instances of the component
using a configured interface.
default_single—You can automatically place a single instance of a the component
using a configured interface.
from_list—The Select Interface dialog box opens before the Component Placement
dashboard appears. Select the interface for component placement from the list and
then specify multiple or single placement.
none—Place components without using interfaces.
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Assembly
comp_offset_dec_places
Sets the default number of decimal places (0-10) to display in the offset column of
component placement.
comp_snap_angle_tolerance
0-90, 30
Specify the angle tolerance for snapping while freeform dragging components being
assembled.
comp_snap_dist_tolerance
0.1, 0-1
Specify the distance tolerance for snapping while freeform dragging components
being assembled. Relative to the size of the component being assembled.
comp_rollback_on_redef
yes, no
Controls whether the system rolls back the assembly when you redefine a
component.
convert_to_wf3_replace
no, yes
Updates legacy designs to use Wildfire 3 Replace functionality.
copy_geom_update_pre_2000i_dep
yes, no
yes—Flags independent copy geom features in a pre-2000i model as modified when
retrieved into Pro/ENGINEER. This enables you to save the model immediately to
update the model’s copy geom dependency information. This information has
changed in Release 2000i for improved interpretation of references in Pro/PDM and
Pro/INTRALINK.
After you set this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of
Pro/ENGINEER.
create_temp_interfaces
yes, no
Allow creation of temporary component interfaces based on previous assembly
instructions.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
default_comp_geom_scope
all, pg, none
Set the specified Shared Geometry reference control conditions to newly added
components.
default_comp_invalid_refs
copy, prohibit
Set the specified handling method of out-of-scope Accessible references to newly
added components.
default_comp_scope_setting
all, none, subassemblies, skeleton_model
Set the specified accessible reference control conditions to newly added components.
default_comp_skel_geom_scope
all, pg, none
Set the specified Shared Geometry reference control conditions to newly added
Skeleton components.
default_comp_skel_scope_setting
all, none, subassemblies, skeleton_model
Set the specified Shared Geometry reference control conditions to newly added
Skeleton components.
default_ext_ref_scope
all, none. skeleton, subassembly
Set default scope for externally referenced models.
all—Any model.
none—Only current model and children.
skeleton—Any component in the model assembly and higher skeletons in the branch.
subassembly—Only components and children in the model assembly.
default_obj_constraints_scope
all, interfaces, none
Set the specified Shared Placement reference control conditions to newly created
models if template models were not used.
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Assembly
default_object_geom_scope
all, pg, none
Set the specified Shared Geometry reference control conditions to newly created
models if template models were not used.
default_object_invalid_refs
prohibit, copy
Sets default condition for reference handling.
prohibit—System aborts all attempts to create external references that violates the
scope.
copy—System issues a warning upon all attempts to create external references that
violates the scope.
default_object_scope_setting
all, none, skeletons, subassemblies
Selects the default condition for reference control in a new object.
all—Reference any model. This is the way the system works today. The user may
freely create external references to any component in an assembly.
none—Reference no other models. This will not allow any models other than the
model being created, and those that exist below it on its branch, to be externally
referenced.
skeletons—A new component may reference the Skeleton model of the assembly that
the component belongs to. If a Skeleton model is being created, it may reference the
skeleton model of the Assembly above the one that it belongs to.
subassembly—Allow external references to the model being created, the models
which will exist below it, any peer models that the model being created might have,
and models below them.
default_placement_scope
all, intrf_if_exists, intrf_only
Default value for Component Placement Reference filter.
dim_inactive_components
yes, no
Sets the display of inactive components in an assembly to grey and transparent.
dont_show_symbol_nodes
yes, no
Show references derived from relations in the parent/child viewer.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
enable_advance_collision
yes, no
Enables using advanced collision detection.
enable_assembly_accuracy
yes, no
Accuracy modification for assembly objects.
enable_implied_joints
yes, no
Allow underconstrained components as mechanism connections.
erv_show_external_only
yes, no
Controls the objects displayed in the Reference Viewer.
yes—Displays only objects with external references.
no—Displays all objects.
exec_prog_on_assem_retr
yes, no
Execute Pro/PROGRAM for models during assembly retrieval.
fail_ref_copy_when_missing_orig
yes, no
When using a copied geom feature or a backed-up external reference with the
Design Manager, and the reference is missing in the original, then the copied geom
feature will:
yes—fail
no—freeze and not update
fast_highlight
yes, no
Toggles fast highlight and standard highlight of selected assembly components
during spin, pan, and zoom operations. Applies for models in the Wireframe, Hidden
Line, No Hidden Line, and Shaded modes.
yes (default)—Fast highlight. Selected components, annotation features, datum
curves, and cables associated with the selected components are highlighted and
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Assembly
displayed during spin, pan, and zoom operations. Datum planes of selected
components are not automatically highlighted unless specifically selected.
no—Standard highlight. Datum planes of selected components are automatically
highlighted.
fix_refs_to_intersections
yes, no
Sets remnant removal ability for the ReIntersect command in the ASSY FEAT
menu.
yes—You can remove remnants.
no—You cannot remove remnants.
force_upd_assem_mp_in_simp_rep
yes, no
Toggles the update of top-level assembly mass properties according to simplified
representation definitions.
yes—Mass properties of top-level assembly reflect simplified representation
definitions. For example, components that are excluded from the simplified
representation are not included in mass properties calculations.
no—Mass properties of top-level assembly do not reflect simplified representation
definitions.
freeze_failed_assy_comp
yes, no
Determines the treatment of assembly components that fail retrieval. By default, the
system requires a specific action to fix the assembly or freeze the component.
yes—Automatically freezes any component that fails retrieval into the assembly at its
last known location. After deleting a component in an assembly, any child of that
component has the status regenerated, even though its make datum reference was
deleted.
No—Requires an assembly fix or freeze of the component that fails retrieval.
Missing refs using offsets or internal datums will not cause components to be frozen.
ignore_all_ref_scope_settings
yes, no
Controls whether object-specific reference scope settings are ignored or not.
Environment scope settings are still enforced.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
ignore_export_geom_declaration
yes, no
Ignore export geometry settings.
mass_property_calculate
by_request, automatic
Calculate mass properties upon regeneration or by request.
model_allow_ref_scope_change
yes, no
Change the scope settings of components.
mp_calc_level
assembly_only, all_models
Specify the level of mass properties calculations.
multiple_skeletons_allowed
no, yes
Allows or restricts multiple skeletons.
package_constraints
update, freeze, disallow
Controls the behavior of partially constrained components. You cannot build children
from them.
update—updates components if assembly changes
freeze—does not move components if assembly changes
disallow—does not allow packaged components in the assembly
package_ref_alert
yes, no
Controls whether the system displays a confirmation prompt whenever you select a
placement reference to a packaged component.
placement_rep_by_default
Sets the simplified representation to be retrieved when assembling a component.
Enter a user-defined simplified representation name or one of the Pro/ENGINEER
default representations. The specified simplified representation is retrieved when the
component is assembled.
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Assembly
preserve_comp_color_in_preview
yes, no
Defines the color of the component during placement.
yes—The component retains its color during placement.
no—The component displays in yellow preview color until fully constrained.
ref_scope_copy_color
[0–255], [0–255], [0–255]
Specifies the default color used by Pro/ENGINEER to display out-of-scope references
that are allowed as local copies. The three decimal values in the range from 0
through 255 specify the level of red, green, and blue (in this order) in the resulting
color. The models that are out-of-scope and available for copying are displayed in
the user-specified color when geometry items are selected for reference. Click Tools
> Assembly Settings > Reference Control to control the settings of external
references when using top-down design tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and
Publish Geometry.
ref_scope_copy_color_change
yes, no
Enable or disable changing the color of prohibited external references that are
allowed for backup. When set to yes, the color of out-of-scope prohibited references
will change to the user-specified color during reference selection. Click Tools >
Assembly Settings > Reference Control to control the settings of external
references when using top-down design tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and
Publish Geometry.
ref_scope_no_pick_to_copy
yes, no
Disable or enable selection of external references not allowed for backup in the
External References Control dialog box. Click Tools > Assembly Settings >
Reference Control to control the settings of external references when using top-
down design tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and Publish Geometry.
ref_scope_no_pick_to_prohibit
yes, no
Disable selection of external references that were prohibited in the External
References Control dialog box. Click Tools > Assembly Settings > Reference
Control to control the settings of external references when using top-down design
tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and Publish Geometry.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
ref_scope_prohibit_color
[0-255], [0-255], [0-255]
Set the default color of prohibited external references by providing three RGB values.
The three decimal values in the range from 0 through 255 specify the level of red,
green, and blue (in this order) in the resulting color. Click Tools > Assembly
Settings > Reference Control to control the settings of external references when
using top-down design tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and Publish
Geometry.
ref_scope_prohibit_color_change
yes, no
Enable changing color of prohibited external references during selection. Click Tools
> Assembly Settings > Reference Control to control the settings of external
references when using top-down design tools such as skeletons, Copy Geometry and
Publish Geometry.
regen_int_mdls_on_retr
yes, no
To specify if models that are intersected by assembly features are regenerated
during assembly retrieval.
regen_layout_w_assem
yes, no
Layout is automatically regenerated when the assembly is regenerated. After you set
this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.
regen_simp_retrieve
yes, no
Regenerates component placement definition when retrieving an assembly simplified
representation.
yes—Model regeneration is available upon retrieval.
no—Model regeneration is not available upon retrieval.
Note: When set to yes, this configuration option impacts retrieval performance.
replace_comp_name_method
transfer, remove, preserve
Sets the naming convention used when replacing components.
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Assembly
retrieve_data_sharing_ref_parts
no, yes, ignore_missing
Retrieves the referenced parts for dependent features with shared data, such as
Inheritance, External Copy Geometry, External Shrinkwrap, and External Merge.
no—Ignores referenced parts in the retrieval.
yes—Prompts the user to accept each referenced part during the retrieval.
ignore_missing—Skips any missing referenced part, sends a message to that effect,
and continues the retrieval process.
retrieve_instance_dependencies
instance_req_generic, instance_deps_only, instance_and_generic_deps
Determines the set of objects to be loaded into session when retrieving Family Table
instances.
instance_req_generic (default)—Retrieves the Family Table instance, the generic
model, and the generic model dependencies that are required for regeneration.
Generic dependencies, such as components excluded from the instance, are not
retrieved.
instance_deps_only—Retrieves only the selected instance and its dependencies.
Additional models included in the generic assembly are not retrieved.
instance_and_generic_deps—Retrieves the instance and all the generic models,
regardless of the instance definition.
Note:
• When retrieving nested instances, intermediate generics are not retrieved.
• Any change in the configuration option values takes effect only when a new
session is started.
retrieve_merge_ref_parts
yes, no
Automatically retrieve referenced parts for dependent merge.
save_display_status_in_submodel
yes, no
Controls the storage location of sub-model layer display status.
yes—The display status of sub-model layers is stored in the sub models.
no—The display status of sub-model layers is stored at the top-level assembly.
scope_invalid_refs
prohibit, copy
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
sel_insts_on_comp_retrieval
yes, no
Determines the instance of a retrieved component.
yes—If the component used in the assembly instances are generics, then
Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to choose an instance when each component is
retrieved.
no—The generic model of the component is retrieved automatically.
shrinkwrap_alert
yes, no
Display an alert the first time the Shrinkwrap quality level is increased.
simprep_ondemand_activation
yes, no
Enables on-demand retrieval of the Master representation of an activated assembly
component. When an assembly is activated, the Assembly Only representation is
retrieved.
simprep_ondemand_cleanup
Disabled, Remove, Remove_Erase
Determines whether a retrieved on-demand simplified representation is removed or
erased when an operation is complete.
Disabled—The model is not removed and remains in the assembly.
Removed—The model is removed from the assembly.
Remove_Erase—The model is removed and erased from memory.
simprep_ondemand_editing
Automatic, Master, Master_and_Ancestors, Disabled
Enables on-demand retrieval of edited assembly components and their parent
references.
Automatic—Retrieves the lowest level representation required to perform the
operation.
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Assembly
simprep_ondemand_regeneration
Automatic, Master, Disabled
Enables on-demand retrieval of required models during regeneration.
Automatic—Retrieves the lowest level representation required to perform the
operation.
Master—Retrieves the Master representation of the regenerated component.
Disabled—Disables on-demand retrieval of regenerated components.
Note: When enabled, this configuration option can affect regeneration performance.
simprep_ondemand_selection
Automatic, Master, Disabled
Sets the simplified representation type to retrieve when a reference is selected.
Automatic—Retrieves the lowest level representation required to perform the
operation.
Master—Retrieves the Master representation of the selected component.
Disabled—Disables on-demand retrieval of selected components.
simprep_ondemand_settings
Prompt, Automatic, Disabled
Sets on-demand simplified representation retrieval behavior.
Prompt—Asks for confirmation before retrieving on-demand representations.
Automatic (default)—Retrieves models on-demand automatically with no
confirmation.
Disabled—On-demand simplified representation mode is disabled.
skeleton_model_default_color
[0-100,0-100,0-100], [0, 75, 100]
Specifies the color used by Pro/ENGINEER to display new skeleton models. The three
decimal values in the range from 0 through 100 specify the percentages of red,
green, and blue (in this order) in the resulting color. For example, 0 0 49 specifies a
medium blue color.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
spin_with_part_entities
yes, no
Controls whether datum planes, axes, and coordinate systems move with the
components when you are placing or package moving components using the mouse.
start_model_dir
Specify a complete path to the directory where start parts and assemblies are
stored. Then, when you browse the directory structure to select a start component to
copy from, the File Open dialog box will look in this directory by default.
style_state_transparency
[0–100]
Sets the level of transparency for components in the Transparent display style.
update_rep_refs
yes, no
Updates to top assembly simplified representations for replacements during
regeneration and replacement.
use_new_intchg
yes, no
Determines the use of consolidated interchange assembly functionality.
yes—Pro/ENGINEER uses the consolidated interchange assembly functionality.
no—Pro/ENGINEER uses the separate functional interchange assemblies and
simplifies interchange assemblies.
visible_annotations_scope
active model only, all
Sets the display of assembly component annotations when a new Pro/ENGINEER
session is started.
active model only—Displays only the annotations of the active model.
all—Displays all assembly component annotations.
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Assembly
Creating Components
Creating Subassemblies
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
5. Click Browse, select the name of a component to copy, and click Open. The
name of the selected component appears in the Copy From text box.
6. You can select Leave Component Unplaced to include the new component in
the assembly without defining placement constraints.
7. Click OK.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
4. Click Empty.
5. You can select Leave Component Unplaced to include the new subassembly in
the assembly without defining placement constraints.
6. Click OK.
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3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
4. Click Locate Default Datums. The Locate Datums Method area of the dialog
box opens.
5. Select references from the assembly using one of the Locate Datums Method
options:
o Three Planes
The system creates a new subassembly with default datums and places you in
feature creation mode.
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Assembly
6. Define features for the new subassembly that will automatically use the default
datum planes for their references.
o If you used either the Three Planes or the Axis Normal To Plane option,
the sketching plane is the first plane that you selected.
o If you used the Align Csys To Csys option, you must select the sketching
plane.
Once you create a feature or quit its creation, the system places the new component
in the assembly in the way in which its default planes are mated (by Mate Offset
with zero offsets) to the selected references in the assembly. In the case of Axis
Normal To Plane, the system also aligns the component axis with the selected
assembly axis.
You can use the Mod Dim command on the ASSEM MOD menu to modify the value
of the offsets in the placement constraints, or redefine the component placement
constraints entirely.
• Click Axis Normal To Plane and OK, and select a single datum plane and an
axis that is normal to it. The system then creates a new component with a datum
plane and an axis which it uses to place the new component with respect to the
rest of the assembly.
• Click Align Csys To Csys and OK, and select a coordinate system in the top-
level assembly. The system then creates a new component with a default
coordinate system and default datum planes which it uses to place the new
component relative to the rest of the assembly.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
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4. Click Create Features, and click OK. You are now working as though the new
model is the active model.
5. Create features using the Insert or Edit commands in the top menu or
commands in the Feature toolbar.
6. Create the geometry of the new part either by referencing existing geometry
within the assembly or without using references:
Note: The newly created component will have external dependencies to the
assembly, and therefore you will not be able to redefine its placement.
o If no geometry exists in the assembly, you can create the geometry of the
new part without using references.
7. When you have created the desired features in the new part, switch focus back to
the top level assembly by selecting the top level node in the Model Tree and click
Edit > Activate, or use Ctrl+A to activate the same window at the top level
assembly.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
4. Click Locate Default Datums. The Locate Datums Method area of the dialog
box opens.
5. Select references from the assembly using one of the Locate Datums Method
options:
o Three Planes
The system creates a new part with default datums and places you in feature
creation mode. The new part will be the Active model in the assembly, and will
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Assembly
remain active until the user changes the focus to another submodel or back to
the top level assembly.
6. Define features for the new part that will automatically use the default datum
planes for their references.
o If you used either the Three Planes or the Axis Normal To Plane option,
the sketching plane is the first plane that you selected.
o If you used the Align Csys To Csys option, you must select the sketching
plane.
Once you create a feature or quit its creation, the system places the new component
in the assembly in the way in which its default planes are mated (by Mate Offset
with zero offsets) to the selected references in the assembly. In the case of Axis
Normal To Plane, the system also aligns the component axis with the selected
assembly axis.
You can use the Mod Dim command on the ASSEM MOD menu to modify the value
of the offsets in the placement constraints, or redefine the component placement
constraints entirely.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
5. Click Browse, select the name of a component to copy, and click Open. The
name of the selected component appears in the Copy From text box.
6. You can select Leave Component Unplaced to include the new component in
the assembly without defining placement constraints.
7. Click OK.
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
copied part as well. Otherwise, the system does not copy the layout declarations to
the newly created part.
If you try to create a part from an existing part with external references that are not
locally backed up, the system aborts the copy. If you try to create a part from an
existing part that has external references that are locally backed up, the system will
notify you that those external references will be made permanently independent in
the new component, and ask whether you wish to continue.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK. The Creation
Options dialog box opens.
4. Click Empty.
5. You can select Leave Component Unplaced to include the new part in the
assembly without defining placement constraints.
6. Click OK.
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Assembly
Parameter Sum. The representation of the bulk quantity in the BOM is controlled by
the BOM_REPORT_QUANTITY parameter.
3. Type a name for the bulk model or use the default name and click OK. The
Creation Options dialog box opens with the following options:
4. Select Copy from Existing or Empty. If you select Copy from Existing, you
must click Browse and select an existing bulk part to copy. You create a new
bulk part with the same information as the copied part. The Bulk dialog box
opens with the following options:
5. Add or modify bulk item parameters and relations or create a family table for the
bulk item part.
6. Click OK.
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3. Type a name for the bulk model or use the default name. Use Default Template
is selected by default. The Bulk dialog box opens with the following options:
6. Click OK.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
3. Click Open. The Bulk Component dialog box opens if a parameter is defined as
User Input.
5. Click .
• You can define the following additional parameter types for bulk items:
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3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Length
Measure.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Length Measure type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. When you add the bulk item into an assembly,
the Bulk Component dialog box opens listing only parameters requiring user
input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Measure dialog box opens.
7. In the assembly model, select the curve or edge used to calculate the length
measurement.
8. Click Close. The Value cell is updated with the calculated length measurement.
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9. Click .
3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Distance
Measure.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Distance Measure type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. The Bulk Component dialog box opens listing
only parameters requiring user input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Measure dialog box opens.
7. In the assembly model, select the two entities used to calculate the distance
measurement.
8. Click Close. The Value cell is updated with the calculated distance measurement.
9. Click .
3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Diameter
Measure.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Diameter Measure type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. The Bulk Component dialog box opens listing
only parameters requiring user input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Measure dialog box opens.
7. In the assembly model, select the surface used to calculate the diameter
measurement.
8. Click Close. The Value cell is updated with the calculated diameter
measurement.
9. Click .
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3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Area
Measure.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Area Measure type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. The Bulk Component dialog box opens listing
only parameters requiring user input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Measure dialog box opens.
7. In the assembly model, select the surface used to calculate the area
measurement.
8. Click Close. The Value cell is updated with the calculated area measurement.
9. Click .
3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Angle
Measure.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Angle Measure type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. The Bulk Component dialog box opens listing
only parameters requiring user input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Measure dialog box opens.
7. In the assembly model, select the two entities used to calculate the angle
measurement.
8. Click Close. The Value cell is updated with the calculated angle measurement.
9. Click .
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2. Type a parameter name identical to the parameter names in the parts to sum up
in this parameter. For example, if you want to sum up the values of the "Area"
parameter in other parts, name the parameter "Area".
3. Click the cell in the Type column. In the Type drop-down box, click Parameter
Sum.
4. Define the remaining bulk item parameters. Note that the User Input checkbox
is automatically selected for the Parameter Sum type parameter.
5. Click File > Save and click OK. The Bulk Component dialog box opens listing
only parameters requiring user input.
6. Click the cell in the Value column. The Refs Type dialog box opens.
7. Click the checkbox where the parameters to be summed exist. For example,
Assembly, Part, Component, and so forth.
8. Click Done. The sum of the selected parameters is shown in the Value cell of
Parameter Sum.
2. Click Part > Bulk and type PAINT for the .prt file name. Use Default
Template is selected by default.
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Assembly
4. Click Close. The area measurement is calculated and appears in the Value cell.
5. Click .
2. Click Bulk Item and type RED for the bulk item name.
4. Click Copy From Existing and Browse to search for paint.prt that contains
parameters and relations previously created.
7. In the COLOR column, click the Value cell and type RED.
8. In the PAINT_AREA column, click the Value cell. The Measure and Select dialog
boxes open.
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2. Click OK. The BOM appears listing bulk items and paint area quantity.
Placing Components
• Slide-up panels
• Dialog bar
• Shortcut menus
Feature Icon
The Component Placement dashboard displays the following icon:
Slide-up Panels
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Dialog Bar
The Component Placement dialog bar options are context-sensitive to the set type
and constraint selected.
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• Constraint list—Contains the constraints applicable for the selected set. When a
user-defined set is selected, the default is Automatic but can be changed
manually. The following options are available:
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Assembly
o Mate—Positions two references of the same type so that they face each
other.
• Offset type fly-out input box—Specifies the offset type for a Mate or Align
constraint.
The following list boxes appear when interfaces are configured for the
component:
Tool Options:
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Shortcut Menus
To access shortcut menus, right-click the Placement panel or graphics window.
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Assembly
To set properties for connections, drag the connection to the desired location and
right-click it. The following commands are on the shortcut menu:
• Set Regen Value—Sets the regeneration value to the current location of the
drag handle.
• Set Maximum Limit—Sets the maximum limit to the current location of the drag
handle.
• Set Minimum Limit—Sets the minimum limit to the current location of the drag
handle.
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• Automatically
3. Click OK. The Placement folder (indicated by ) appears as the first folder
beneath the component in the Model Tree.
To Place a Component
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears with the selected component in the graphics window. A
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Assembly
component can also be selected from a Pro/ENGINEER browser and dragged into
the graphics window.
4. Select a constraint set type. User Defined is default. Then select a predefined
set type to define a connection and select component references for each
constraint, or configure a user-defined set.
6. Select an offset type from the Offset list. Coincident is the default offset. Enter
any offset value or drag the offset handle in the graphics window to set an offset
value.
Press and hold CTRL to reactivate the current constraint. Click a reference
(component or assembly) in the graphics window to deselect it, and then select a
new reference. Release CTRL to activate the next constraint.
9. To delete a constraint, right-click and select Delete from the shortcut menu.
10. To configure another constraint set, click New Set. The previously configured set
collapses and a new set appears with the first constraint displayed. Choose a
predefined set type or configure a user-defined set.
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2. Select the assembly reference you want to vary from the Variable Assembly
Refs list.
3. Click Add.
5. Follow the prompts in the message window to select the appropriate placement
references. When you have defined all the references, a new component is
automatically added.
6. Continue to define reference placements until you have placed all the instances of
the component.
7. Click Confirm.
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Assembly
User-Defined Sets
• When an offset value is entered for Mate and Align constraints, the system
displays the offset direction. To select the opposite direction, enter a negative
value, or drag the drag handle in the graphics window.
• Constraints are added one at a time. You cannot use a single Align constraint to
align two different holes in one part with two different holes in another part. You
must define two separate Align constraints.
• The term same-surface refers to a set of surfaces that includes a seed surface
and all surfaces connected through artificial edges. For example, a cylindrical
surface created through Extrude or Revolve is made of two surfaces connected
through two artificial edges. Cylinders, cones, spheres, and tori are surfaces that
can be used
Mate Constraint
Use the Mate constraint to position two selected references to face each other. A
mate constraint may mate two selected references as coincident, orient, or offset.
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If datum planes or surfaces are mated, their yellow, normal direction arrows face
each other. If datum planes or surfaces are mated with an offset value, an arrow
appears in the assembly reference pointing in the positive offset direction. If
components are mated coincident or with an offset value of zero, the planes are
coincident with the normal positive directions facing each other. The normal direction
is defined when a datum or surface is created.
1. Mate
1. Mate
2. Mate offset
3. Offset
Align Constraint
Use the Align constraint to align two selected references and to face the same
direction. An Align constraint may align two selected references as coincident,
oriented, or offset.
An Align constraint will make two planes coplanar (coincident and facing the same
direction), two axes coaxial, or two points coincident. You can align revolved surfaces
or edges. The offset value determines the distance between the two references. Use
the offset handle to change the offset value.
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Assembly
If two datum planes are mate-oriented, their yellow, normal direction arrows face
each other so they can be offset at a value that is not fixed. They can be positioned
in any location as long as their direction arrows face each other. Align-orient is
similar, except that the direction arrows face the same direction. When using mate-
orient or align-orient, you must specify additional constraints in order to rigidly
position the component.
1. Align
You can also align two datum points, vertices, or curve ends. Selections on both
parts must be of the same type, that is, if you select a point on one part, you must
select a point on the other part.
1. Align
2. Mate
3. Align offset
4. Offset value
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Insert Constraint
Use the Insert constraint to insert one revolved surface into another revolved
surface, making their respective axes coaxial. This constraint is useful when axes are
unavailable or inconvenient for selection.
1. Insert
2. Mate
Tangent Constraint
Use the Tangent constraint to control the contact of two surfaces at their point of
tangency. This placement constraint functions like Mate because it mates surfaces;
it does not align them. An example of the use of this constraint is the contact surface
or point between a cam and its actuator.
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Assembly
1. Tangent
2. Conical surface
1. Point on Line
2. Edge
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1. Point on surface
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Assembly
Default Constriant
Use the Default constraint to align the default system-created coordinate system of
the component to the default system-created coordinate system of the assembly.
The system places the component at the assembly origin.
Fix Constraint
Use the Fix constraint to fix the current position of a component that was moved or
packaged.
3. Enter the value for the offset or drag the offset drag handle to set the offset
value.
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and the top face of the plate, the system assumes a third constraint. This constraint
controls rotation about the axes, thereby fully constraining the component.
When the Allow Assumptions check box is cleared, the third constraint must be
defined before the component is considered fully constrained. You can leave the bolt
packaged, or you can create another constraint that explicitly constrains the bolt’s
rotational degree of freedom.
When Allow Assumptions is disabled, you can use the Move panel options to move
a component out of a previously assumed position, where it will remain. The
component automatically snaps back to the assumed position if you select the Allow
Assumptions check box again.
4. Click OK.
The assembled components remain fixed relative to the datums, but you can move
the datums relative to the assembly using their offset or angle parameters.
The reference datums can belong to an assembly or to a part. If they are assembly
datums, their driving parameters appear in the assembly drawings. If they are part
datums, they appear only in part drawings.
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Assembly
1. Mate
• Right-click in the graphics window and choose Flip from the shortcut menu.
The top surface of the small solid is aligned with the top surface of the large solid.
2. Align
Predefined Sets
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The Rigid, Weld, User-Defined, and Ball predefined sets do not have motion axes.
A Ball constraint set has motion, but it has no axis.
All predefined constraint sets are editable in Mechanism Design. For more
information search the Simulation functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
Select the motion axis in the Navigation and Collection area. The Motion Settings
Properties area appears for you to specify motion axis properties.
Set Types
Components placed with predefined constraint sets are underconstrained by intent to
retain one or more degrees of freedom. After configuring a predefined constraint set,
drag the component to ensure that it is placed correctly to allow the desired motion.
• Rigid—Connects two components so that they do not move relatively to each
other. They are constrained with any valid set of constraints. Components so
connected become a single body. Rigid connection set constraints are similar to a
user-defined constraint set.
1. Mate
2. Align
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Assembly
1. Axis Alignment
2. Translation
1. Axis Alignment
2. Rotation
1. Axis Alignment
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1. Planar Mate
1. Point Alignment
1. Coordinate System
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Assembly
along a referenced axis. For the first reference choose a point on the component
or the assembly. For the second reference choose an edge, axis, or curve on the
assembly or the component. The point reference can rotate freely about the edge
and move along its length. A Bearing connection has one point-on-edge
alignment constraint.
1. Point Alignment
2. Point
3. Translation Axis
• 6DOF—Does not affect the motion of the component in relation to the assembly
because no constraints are applied. The coordinate system of the component is
aligned to a coordinate system in the assembly. The X, Y, and Z assembly axes
are motion axes allowing rotation and translation.
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1. Point Alignment
2. Point
About Bodies
A body is a group of components that are rigidly controlled with no degrees of
freedom within the group. The constraints used to place a component determine
which parts belong to a body. The software automatically defines bodies based on
these constraints.
You create an assembly in Pro/ENGINEER by combining components, including parts
and subassemblies. You use the Component Placement dashboard in Assembly to
define the relationship of the component you are adding to your assembly.
There are two types of constraint sets on the Component Placement dashboard. You
can use user-defined constraint sets, such as mate and align, or you can use
predefined constraint sets to define connections. If you assemble two components as
partially constrained, a connection is assumed.
The way that you define the bodies in your assembly impacts the way you create
predefined constraint sets in the following ways:
• You can create predefined constraint sets only between distinct bodies.
• When you select the first assembly entity for a predefined constraint set, you can
select entities only from the same body for the remaining constraints of that
connection. This is also true when selecting the component references.
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2. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The File Open dialog box
opens.
5. Select Default from the constraint list. The Constraint Type becomes Default.
6. Click .
Note: A component can become part of ground when it is only partially constrained
if the enable_implied_joints configuration option is set to no.
• Right-click in the graphics window and choose Flip Connection from the
shortcut menu.
• Select the motion axis drag handle in the graphics window, right-click, and
choose Flip Connection from the shortcut menu.
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When a connection is flipped, the directions of the motion axes are flipped. The
translational and rotational axis directions were flipped in the figure below. The
regeneration value and motion limits are also flipped.
1. Axis alignment
2. Translation
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Assembly
• Right-click in the graphics window and choose Flip constraint from the shortcut
menu.
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Tip: For large models with several connections, you can often find a specific
connection in the Model Tree more easily than on the model.
Before selecting a predefined constraint set with a motion axis, you must understand
how the placement constraints and degrees of freedom are used to define
movement. Each motion axis is associated with a unique set of geometric constraints
that define specific Degrees of Freedom. DOF define allowable translational or
rotational movement (or both) of a component in the assembly.
Define properties for the motion axis in the Placement panel of the Component
Placement dashboard:
• The default zero position is the initial placement position of a reference on the
component relative to a reference on the assembly.
• The motion axis regeneration value determines the position of the component in
the assembly when the model is regenerated. The regeneration value of a motion
axis is a dimension that can be used in family tables, relations, and wherever
dimensions are used. This value is ignored during dragging and analysis
operations. A motion axis regeneration value can be set in the Component
Placement dashboard when placing the component or while editing a motion axis
in Assembly. In Mechanism Design, it can be set from the Motion Axis definition
dialog box.
• Limits on the motion axis, friction, and restitution of the axis are constraint set
parameters. Use the motion settings options of the Placement panel to set these
parameters. Click Dynamic Properties to set friction and restitution
parameters. To simulate impact forces for a motion axis, specify a value for the
coefficient of restitution. The coefficient of restitution is defined as the ratio of the
velocity of two entities before and after a collision.
Note: Although configured motion axes are visible in Assembly mode, it is easier to
redefine them in Mechanism Design where conflicts between different motion axes
are visible. In Assembly, each motion axis is configured independently and conflicting
motion limits are not visible.
For more information, search the Simulation functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER
Help Center.
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Assembly
3. Open the Placement panel, or right click and choose Add Set from the shortcut
menu.
5. Select the motion axis in the Placement panel. The collectors below the motion
axis activate and the motion settings options appear in the Properties area.
6. Select references on the component and assembly. This is the default zero
position. The Current Position becomes 0.00 and the Motion Settings options
activate.
7. To set a new zero position, move the offset drag handle to position the
component in a new location and click Set Zero Position. The Current Position
updates to 0.00.
8. Click the arrow adjacent to Set Zero Position and click Default Zero Position.
The Current Position updates to be the distance between the default zero
position and the current position of the component.
Zero Positions
The default zero position is the initial placement position of a motion axis component
reference relative to an assembly reference. To use a different position as the zero
position, move the position of the component and click Zero Position. This new zero
position is now the reference for the current position offset, the regeneration value,
and maximum, and minimum limits of component movement. To use the default
zero position as the zero position reference, click Default Zero Position.
The offset of the zero position from the default zero position is called the zero
position offset. This is a motion axis parameter and can be used in relations and
Family Tables.
2. Insert a new component, or select a component and right-click in the Model Tree
or graphics window and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu. The
Component Placement dashboard appears.
4. Select an existing motion axis or define a new one. The Zero Position collectors
below the motion axis activate and the Motion Settings options open in the
properties area.
5. Select Zero Position references. The Current Position box lists the current
positions of the chosen references displayed in relation to each other.
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o Drag the component handle to the location for the regeneration value,
right-click, and choose Set Regen Value from the shortcut menu. The
value changes as the component is moved.
An invalid value cannot be entered. The new regeneration value appears in the
Regen Value box
For a rotational axis the default minimum limit is -180 degrees and the default
maximum limit is 180 degrees. The difference between the minimum and
maximum limits cannot exceed 360 degrees, and must be greater than zero.
7. To enable the regeneration value, select the Enable regeneration value check
box. To disable the regeneration value and leave the motion axis free of
constraints, clear the check box, or right-click the connection drag handle and
choose Disable Regen Value from the shortcut menu.
Regeneration Values
When you enter a regeneration value, a connectivity check is automatically
performed. This ensures that only a valid value is entered in respect to regeneration
values defined for other motion axes in the assembly. When the assembly fails to
connect for the value entered, the component is made transparent and repositioned
outside the assembly with dashed lines showing its place in the assembly. When this
happens, undo the value entered or continue with the definition to ensure proper
placement in the assembly.
4. Select an existing motion axis or define a new one. The Zero Position collectors
activate and the Motion Settings options open in the properties area.
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7. Click the Maximum Limit check box and enter a number or drag the connection
handle, right-click it, and choose Set Maximum Limit from the shortcut menu.
The maximum should be greater than or equal to the regeneration value (when
set). For a rotational axis, the maximum value is automatically 180.00 (in
degrees).
8. Click the Minimum Limit check box and enter a number in the text box, or drag
the connection handle, right-click it and choose Set Minimum Limit from the
shortcut menu. The minimum should be less than or equal to the regeneration
value (when set). For a rotational axis, the minimum value is automatically -
180.00 (in degrees).
9. To disable a motion limit, clear a motion limit check box, or right-click the
connection handle and choose Disable Maximum Limit or Disable Minimum
Limit from the shortcut menu. The motion limit is ignored in dragging and
mechanism operations.
Note: When a connection is flipped, the motion limits are also flipped.
2. Insert a new component, or select a component and right-click in the Model Tree
or graphics window and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu. The
Component Placement dashboard appears.
4. Select an existing motion axis or define a new one. The Select component zero
reference and Select assembly zero reference collectors below the motion
axis activate and the motion settings options appear in the Properties area.
9. Select or clear the Enable Friction check box to enable or disable friction.
o Kinetic Coefficient of Friction —The friction force that prevents the joint
surfaces from moving freely against each other, slowing the motion. Values
allowed: between one and zero.
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o Contact Radius (Rotational axes) —The distance between the motion axis
and the point of contact. The value should be greater than zero.
For more information, search the Simulation functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER
Help Center.
3. Right-click in the graphics window and choose Convert to Connections from the
shortcut menu, or click in the dashboard.
Note: This option is for user-defined constraint sets with valid predefined constraint
sets. The status area indicates whether the definitions are complete.
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Packaged Components
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
You can change the placement of a component, regardless of how it was assembled,
without having to redefine it.
When you add a component as a packaged component, the Move dialog box opens.
Choose a Move option and move the pointer to position the packaged component,
then click to drop the part at the required position. When a component is positioned
in this manner, positioning is absolute, not relative to other components.
Mechanism assemblies
You can assemble a component using a user-defined or predefined constraint set
(connection) to retain degrees of freedom for component movement in the assembly.
These components are packaged and are marked as packaged in the Model Tree.
Connections define a specific type of movement in the assembly. Use the Drag
dialog box to move the component and check for interference with other components
in the assembly. Components placed using predefined constraint sets that reference
more than one packaged components are themselves packaged components. They
have degrees of freedom that allow them to move independently of any one
component.
Use the Ref Control dialog box to toggle between allowing and disallowing
referencing packaged components.
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While dragging components, obtain visible feedback about their position based on
datum references, especially for components that contain only datum features
and no solid geometry.
2. Choose the required option and select a component. The Move dialog box opens.
4. Click Done/Return.
• As you move a component, the system records each movement until it completes
the placement. You can use the Undo command until the component reaches its
initial position. You can use Redo in the same way.
• When using Adjust and View Plane to move a component, the system reorients
the component so that the desired surface is perpendicular to the view direction.
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The Move dialog box is similar to the Move panel on the Component Placement
dashboard and has the following options:
• Motion Type area—Determines the type of motion:
o Sel Plane—Uses a plane other than the viewing plane as the reference
plane (repositions the component in a plane that is parallel to it).
• Position area—Enter the relative distance from the start point to the new
component origin.
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o Snap Options—Sets the tolerance distance and angle for active snapping.
3. Select the packaged component to be placed from the Model Tree or in the
graphics window. The system fully constrains the packaged component in its
current location.
Note: Alternatively, you can select the component in the Model Tree or graphics
window, right-click and choose Fix Location from the shortcut menu.
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Mechanism assemblies
You can assemble a component using a user-defined or predefined constraint set
(connection) to retain degrees of freedom for component movement in the assembly.
These components are packaged and are marked as packaged in the Model Tree.
Connections define a specific type of movement in the assembly. Use the Drag
dialog box to move the component and check for interference with other components
in the assembly. Components placed using predefined constraint sets that reference
more than one packaged components are themselves packaged components. They
have degrees of freedom that allow them to move independently of any one
component.
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Unplaced Components
2. Select Part and enter a name in the Name box or leave the default name.
5. Check the Leave Component Unplaced check box in the placement box.
6. Click OK. The component is added to the Model Tree but does not appear in the
graphics window.
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3. Click Open. The component is added to the Model Tree but does not appear in
the graphics window.
• Fill—Assembles the first component on a surface, and then use a sketch on the
same surface to generate a component fill pattern.
• Axis—Assembles the component to the center of the pattern. Select a datum axis
to define and enter the angle between pattern members and the number of
members in the pattern.
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Note: A component created in the context of an assembly with the Create First
Feature option cannot be patterned. For detailed information on patterns, search
the Part functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
1. Mate
2. Insert
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The figure below shows how the number of assembled components automatically
updates when a pattern is modified. The number of instances has been changed to 6.
After regeneration, the number of bolts automatically updates to the number of
holes.
2. Place the component. The placement references you select from the assembly
must be from the pattern leader of a previously patterned assembled component
or assembly feature.
3. Select the component in the Model Tree and do one of the following to open the
Pattern dashboard:
o Click .
o Right-click in the graphics window and select Pattern from the shortcut
menu.
4. In the first box select Reference. Reference appears only when the component
is assembled relative to an existing pattern.
5. If the existing pattern is part of a group that is patterned, choose one of the
following options:
6. Click to approve and complete the pattern feature. The component assembles
to every member of the pattern. Placement constraints that do not belong to the
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pattern are common to all components. If you modify one component, every
other component is automatically modified as with a feature pattern.
• Components placed in the assembly and used as a reference pattern can be used
to assemble another pattern of components. For example, if you have bolts
assembled in a pattern of holes using the Reference option, you can use
Reference again to assemble a pattern of nuts directly to the bolts.
• If the existing pattern is part of a group and that group is patterned, the new
pattern can reference the feature pattern, the group pattern, or both patterns.
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2. Place the component with at least one offset type constraint. To create the
pattern, you must specify the offset values that you want to use as references.
3. Select the component in the Model Tree and do one of the following operations to
open the Patten dashboard:
o Click .
o Right-click in the graphics window and choose Pattern from the shortcut
menu.
5. Click the Dimensions tab, select a dimension in the assembly, and enter an
incremental value, or drag the handle to the required location.
6. Click the Direction 2 box or right-click the graphics window and select Direction
2 Dimensions from the shortcut menu to enter a second dimension, or drag the
handle to the required location.
7. Select the second dimension in the assembly and enter an incremental value.
9. Click .
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2. Place the component with at least one offset type constraint. To create the
pattern, you must specify the offset values that you want to use as references.
3. Select the component in the Model Tree and do one of the following operations to
open the Patten dashboard:
o Click .
o Right-click in the graphics window and choose Pattern from the shortcut
menu.
6. Click Edit. The Pro/Table dialog box opens. If the component has Family Table
members, the Model and the selected dimensions appear with their values. You
can set or add models as pattern members, and you can edit new dimensional
values and model names in this column.
2. Right-click the pattern leader in the Model Tree or select a pattern member in the
graphics window and choose Replace from the shortcut menu, or click Edit >
Replace. The Replace dialog box opens.
5. Select a different instance and click OK. You return to the Replace dialog box.
6. Click OK. All pattern members are replaced by the new family table instance.
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3. Enter the name of the new instance member in the Model column.
5. Click .
Manipulating Components
• Point on curve
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flexible component placed with connections will prevent drag operations in the
assembly. The shape of the component does not change dynamically and the
assembly will not move.
A component that blocks kinematic movement of an assembly can be excluded
manually from the assembly by selecting it and choosing Exclude from Mechanism
from the shortcut menu.
• Right-click and choose Move Component from the shortcut menu. Click and
release the mouse button in the graphics window and drag the mouse. To stop
movement, click in the graphics window. Choose a different option from the
shortcut menu to quit.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
3. To move the component, use any of the following mouse and key combinations:
o Press and hold CTRL+ALT+ left mouse button and move the pointer to drag
the component.
o Press and hold CTRL+ALT+ middle mouse button and move the pointer to
spin the component.
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o Press and hold CTRL+ALT+ right mouse button and move the pointer to
pan the component.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
3. Click Move on the Component Placement dashboard. The Move panel opens.
o Click or View > Orientation > Orient Mode. The red spin center
appears.
Middle-click in the graphics window and drag to spin the assembly and the
component.
Right-click in the graphics window and choose Orient Object from the
shortcut menu. The spin center changes to blue.
Middle-click in the graphics window and drag to spin the component being
assembled.
Right-click the graphics window to open the Orient mode shortcut menu.
Note: For more information on Orient Mode, search the Fundamentals functional
area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
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2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
3. Click Move on the Component Placement dashboard. The Move panel opens.
5. Click one of the following options and then follow the appropriate steps:
o An axis or an edge. The component can then be moved along the selected
axis or edge.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
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2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
3. Click Move on the Component Placement dashboard. The Move panel opens.
5. Click one of the following options and then follow the appropriate steps:
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The snap reference table shows how the system defines best-guess constraint types
to match the selected reference with another reference.
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o Select the Activate Snapping check box to enable snap during freeform
movement.
o In the Distance text box, change the default value to 0.100000 (units are
a fraction of the screen size).
o In the Angle text box, change the default value to 30.000000 (units are
degrees).
4. Select an option in the Drag Center area to control the spin center or origin of
movement:
o Default Csys
Use the Drag command to move assembly entities through an allowable range
of motion to see how your assembly works in a specific configuration. The following
entities can be selected to initiate a dragging movement:
• Edge
• Point
• Axis
• Datum plane
The selected entity is positioned as close as possible to the current pointer location
while the rest of the assembly components stay connected to each other.
• Drag constraints
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Using Snapshots
Use the Snapshots tab on the Drag dialog box to display a list of saved snapshots
of the assembly in varied configurations. After you move the components to the
desired location, you can save snapshots of your assembly in different positions and
orientations. Snapshots capture the existing locked bodies, disabled connections, and
geometric constraints.
Note: You can use the Drag command and take snapshots while placing a
component.
Using Constraints
Use the Constraints tab on the Drag dialog box to apply or remove constraints.
After you apply a constraint, its name is added to the constraints list. You can turn
the constraints on and off by selecting or clearing the check box next to the
constraint. Use the shortcut menu to copy, cut, paste, or delete the constraint.
To Drag a Point
2. Click and select a point to drag on a body within the current model. An
indicator appears. During the dragging operation, the point you selected
follows the pointer's movement while maintaining connections.
3. Move the pointer. The selected point follows the pointer's location.
o Click to accept the current body positions and begin dragging another body.
o Middle-click to end the current dragging operation (the body returns to the
initial position) and start a new one.
o Right-click to end the dragging operation (the body returns to the initial
position).
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To Drag a Body
When you drag a body, its position in the graphics window changes but its
orientation remains fixed. If the assembly requires that a body be reoriented in
conjunction with a change in position, the body will not move at all, since the model
cannot reassemble in the new position. Should this happen, try using point dragging
instead.
3. Move the pointer. The selected body follows the pointer's location.
o Click to accept the current body positions and begin dragging another body.
o Middle-click to quit the current dragging operation (the body returns to the
initial position) and start a new one.
o Right-click to quit the dragging operation (the body returns to the initial
position).
2. Click Snapshots and select a snapshot from the snapshots list. The name
appears in the Current Snapshot text box.
3. Click the Constraints tab and then click one of the following options to create a
temporary constraint:
o —Select two points, two lines, or two planes. The entities remain
aligned during the dragging operation.
o —Select two planes. The planes remain mated during the dragging
operation.
o —Select a motion axis to specify motion axis position. You can define
multiple constraints for the same motion axis. However, only one can be
enabled at any given time.
4. Click or clear a constraint check box. This enables or disables the constraint.
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5. Click to assemble the model using your temporary constraints. Enter the
offset value for any mate or align constraints. Enter a value for angle or distance,
if you have chosen an orientation constraint.
3. Select a motion axis. The new constraint is added to the constraints list. The
Value box displays the current value of the motion axis for the configuration in
the graphics window. To edit the value, select the constraint, enter the desired
position value, and press ENTER. You can specify a positive or negative value.
4. Take a snapshot of the assembly with the specified constraint to save the
configuration.
Note: Constraints are defined in the context of the snapshot. The snapshot contains
all existing constraints. If a snapshot is not saved, the constraints are not saved.
2. On the Snapshots tab, click the snapshot from which the constraint definition
will be copied.
5. On the Snapshots tab, select the snapshot to which the constraints will be
pasted.
6. On the Constraints tab, click Paste. Duplicate constraints are ignored from the
paste operation. Therefore, if you paste constraints from snapshot A to snapshot
A, nothing changes.
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3. Select the lead body, then select a set of follower bodies to be locked during the
dragging operation. The follower bodies remain fixed relative to the lead body.
Note: When the Drag dialog box is closed, all locks are removed. No bodies or
connections will be locked when a new dragging session begins.
To Capture a Snapshot
5. Enter a new name in the Current Snapshot text box to replace the default
snapshot name.
2. To make the snapshots available, select one or more snapshots and click .A
visual indicator appears next to the snapshot name.
3. To turn off snapshot availability at a later time, highlight the snapshot and click
.
• The exploded state becomes unlinked when the snapshot is deleted. The
exploded state is still available but is independent of the snapshot. If you then
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create a snapshot with the same name as the deleted snapshot, the exploded
state associates itself with the new snapshot.
2. Select a target snapshot into which you want to paste a part position.
4. Select the snapshot from which to borrow part positions. The selected snapshot's
configuration appears.
6. Click OK. The position of the selected parts merges into the original snapshot.
To Edit a Snapshot
4. Enter a new name in the Current Snapshot text box to rename the snapshot.
6. Click .
To Remove a Snapshot
3. Click .
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3. Click Flexibility > Add Var Items. The Varied Items dialog box opens.
a. Select Distance from the Methods list. The Measure dialog opens.
b. Select two entities in the assembly that drive the value. Defining the
dimensions varied item as the distance between two bodies, allows the
flexible component to be updated to a new location during regeneration
following a dragging operation.
5. Click . The flexible component is now excluded from the assembly during
dragging operations.
6. Click OK.
Note: The excluded component is removed from the appropriate Body Contents
folder in the Mechanism Tree.
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Collision Detection
2. Select General Settings to set the collision detection during drag operations.
3. Select Include Quilts to include surfaces as a part of the collision check only
during global or partial collision detection.
4. Select Optional Settings. These settings are only active for Partial or Global
Collision when the enable_advance_collision configuration option is set to
yes.
Note: In large assemblies with many bodies, the advanced collision detection
options can cause very slow movement of the assembly.
5. Select Ring Message Bell When Colliding to sound a warning bell upon
collision. This box is available only for the Stop When Colliding and Push
Objects on Collision options.
6. Click OK.
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to the footer, right-click and choose Move To Footer. When a component has
one or more placing interface, it will have a default interface.
• Click Insert > Model Datum > Component Interface to open the Interface
Definition dialog box. Define conditions or rules to specify an assembly
reference.
• Pnt on Srf
• Pnt on Line
• Tangent
2. Accept the default name or enter a new one in the Interface Name box or the
Properties tab Name box.
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5. Select the reference surface, axis, or datum plane of the component for the first
constraint.
7. Use the tabs to define the current interface Properties and Criteria.
8. Click OK. The interface is displayed in the Model Tree footer in the Interfaces
folder, or the receiving interface appears in the Model Tree.
2. Accept the default name or enter a new one in the Interface Name box.
3. Choose an Interface Template from the list to use a predefined placement set.
6. Use the tabs to define the current interface Properties and Criteria.
7. Click OK. The interface is displayed in the Model Tree footer in the Interfaces
folder, or the receiving interface appears in the Model Tree.
• Edit Definition—Opens the Interface dialog box to edit the interface definition.
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• Setup Note > Feature—Opens the Note dialog box and insert a graphic feature
note.
• Move From/To Footer—Moves the interface in the Model Tree to or from the
footer.
Note: Both Copy and Paste commands are available for interfaces, although Paste
Special is not.
1. In an open assembly, click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open
dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
3. To use an interface other than the default interface, select it from the Configured
Interfaces list.
4. Click Options. The Options panel opens. Select all required options:
Interface-to-Interface Matching
1. By default Interface to Interface is selected from the Interface Placement list.
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7. Click Find Now. The locations found appear in the locations found list.
8. Select a location from the locations found list and click to move it to the
locations selected list. The component is placed in this location in the
assembly.
Interface-to-Geometry Matching
1. Select Interface to Geom from the Interface Placement list.
7. Click Find Now. The locations found appear in the locations found list.
8. Select a location from the locations found list and click to move it to the
locations selected list. The component is placed in this location in the
assembly.
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2. Click .
2. Click .
5. Place the component using the selected interface. Click the See Also link To Place
a Component Using Interface Matching.
6. Click .
1. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement
dashboard appears.
4. Right-click in the graphics window and choose Save as Interface from the
shortcut menu. The Save as Interface dialog box opens.
5. Accept the default name or enter a new one. Enter a description of the interface
if desired.
Note: You can also right-click a component in the Model Tree and select Edit
Definition from the shortcut menu. Select the required placement set in the
Placement panel and proceed from step 4.
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Use the Rule Editor dialog box to set criteria for component and assembly interface
match conditions:
• Look For—Searches for surfaces, datum planes, points, coordinate systems,
axes, edges and vertices.
Use the Query Builder to combine rules when searching. Click Add New to add the
newly defined rule to the Query Builder.
2. Configure an interface, or select an existing interface and click Criteria > Edit
Rules. The Rule Editor dialog box opens.
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o From List—Uses the interface selected from the list. The Component
Placement dashboard appears.
Note: When you select Default or From List, you can also select Use
Temporary Interfaces. Temporary interfaces are automatically created based
on previous assembly instructions.
2. Double-click a constraint tag, or right-click the active constraint tag and choose
Edit References in the graphics window. The shortcut placement panel appears.
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4. Click OK.
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Nested Interfaces
2. Select Nested from the Constraint Type list. A table appears on the
Placement tab. The name of the constraint changes to Nested followed by a
number.
3. Select an interface from the Model Tree footer. The reference table displays the
geometric references for the selected interface.
4. Add additional references to the nested interface. Only interfaces can be selected
as references.
5. Click .
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Note: A subinterface placement constraint set inherits the name of the subinterface.
When the component subinterface and the assembly interface have names, the set
inherits the component subinterface name.
• Grouping
• Deleting
• Rerouting references
• Reordering
• Defining flexibility
• Patterning
• Replacing
2. Select components and features from the Model Tree or graphics window, right-
click, and choose Group from the shortcut menu. The selected components and
features are grouped.
Note: The Group command can also be accessed by clicking Edit > Component
Operations > Group.
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2. Click Insert > User-Defined Feature. The Open dialog box opens.
3. Select the created UDF group file and click Open. The Insert User-Defined
Feature dialog box opens. Select UDF settings as follows:
4. Click OK. The User Defined Feature Placement dialog box opens to the
Placement tab.
5. Select a reference from the References of Original Features list. The reference
is highlighted in the reference model window.
6. Select a matching reference for the user-defined feature from the Model Tree or
graphics window. The selected item appears in the reference collector.
7. Repeat the previous two steps for all the references on the References of
Original Features list.
8. Click . The GRP PLACE menu appears. Select one of the following
commands:
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3. Click Edit > Delete and choose one of the following options:
Note: You can also right-click the component in the Model Tree and choose
Delete from the shortcut menu.
• Click Edit > Component Operations > Reorder and follow the instructions in
the message area.
2. Click Edit > Reference. Alternatively, select the component in the Model Tree,
right-click, and choose Edit References from the shortcut menu. The REROUTE
REFS menu appears. Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to roll back the model.
3. Click YES or NO. The REROUTE menu appears. Alternate reference to reroute is
the default.
o If you click Same Ref, you are allowed to retain the original references.
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• Suspended temporarily until you assign new references when you quit the
Children Handling dialog box.
• Frozen in their original location until they can be regenerated successfully, either
by resuming the parent, redefining the placement, or rerouting the child.
3. Click Edit > Suppress and choose one of the following commands from the
menu:
Note: You can also select the component in the Model Tree, right-click, and
choose Suppress from the shortcut menu.
2. Right-click and choose Suppress from the shortcut menu. The Suppress dialog
box opens.
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4. Click Local or External to view the list of local and external children.
5. Clear the Suppress entire groups check box to select an operation for
individual group members affected by suppressing the parent.
6. Select a child object, then select an option from the Status list:
o Suppress
o Suspend
o Freeze
8. Click OK.
3. Click Edit > Resume and choose one of the following commands:
Note: You can also select the component in the Model Tree, right-click, and
choose Resume from the shortcut menu.
• The command setting is applicable only for the current session. To display all
component annotations when a new Pro/ENGINEER session is started, set the
visible_annotations_scope configuration option to all. The configuration
option setting does not impact the command setting and vice versa.
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o Align
o Mate
o Orient
• Flip sides
When redefining component placement, you can select datums or make them on the
fly, as is the case when you are placing a component.
When you use the Default constraint, the system places the component at the
assembly origin.
Use the Fix constraint to fix the current location of the component that was moved
or packaged. The system fully constrains the packaged component in its current
location.
You can redefine components in a simplified representation that have not been
substituted or excluded in the current representation.
2. Select one of the constraints listed in the Navigation and Collection area of the
Placement panel. For each constraint, you can redefine any of the following
options:
Note: You can only change the type for Align or Mate.
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The system deletes the selected constraint from the current list and
updates the message in the Placement Status area. You may need to add a
new constraint.
o To add a new constraint to the current list, click Add. Select a type of
constraint from the Constraint Type list. Select a reference on the
component and a reference on the assembly, in either order, to define a
placement constraint. Click See Also for detailed information.
4. After you redefine the constraints for the active component, click .
NOTE: You can also use the Move options, but if the component has children, you
must fully constrain the component before exiting the interface.
Assembly Operations
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• Creating a reference datum plane that intersects more than one component
• Pipe features
• User-defined features
Perform feature and component operations using the Edit or shortcut menu.
Additional commands are in the Edit > Feature Operations and Edit >
Component Operations menu.
Note: The Copy From command is not available.
2. Select a feature from the Insert or Edit menus or use the feature toolbar.
o Datum features
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2. Choose an option:
7. Select the Group Varied Item to be changed from the Menu Manager.
8. Click Done. You are prompted to enter a new varied item value.
9. Enter the value and click . You are prompted to choose a reference type:
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Note: For more information, search for Copy in the Part Modeling functional area of
the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
• Level—Selects the visibility level for feature intersections from the list.
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Right-click in the Intersected Comps dialog box to access the shortcut menu
commands:
• Remove
• Information
• Add Instance
• All components added to the assembly before the assembly feature will
automatically be intersected on regeneration as well.
By default, all components appear in the Intersected Models list. Clear the
Automatic Update box to manually remove components from the list, or change
the display level of a component.
The Default Display Level options allow you to set the visibility level of parts
intersected by the feature when you add them to the Intersected Models list:
• Part Level—Makes the new feature visible wherever this version of the part is
used, even outside the current assembly. This is similar to creating a feature in
an active part in an assembly.
• Top Level—Displays the feature only at the top-level assembly and creates
instances of intersected parts. Does not create external references.
Click Add Intersected Models to automatically add components with the same
visibility level to the list. The visibility level is displayed in the Intersected Models
List.
If you rename intersected component instances in the Model Tree, you cannot use
Add Intersected Models and Automatic Update when you edit the definition of
the feature.
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• When you display the intersection at the component level, the assembly feature
is visible at that level and all levels above it.
The visibility level and intersected components list can be edited after the feature is
created by selecting the feature in the Model Tree, right-clicking and choosing
Intersect from the shortcut menu, or clicking Edit > Feature Operations >
Intersect.
When you display the assembly feature in a lower-level assembly, the system
creates an external reference in the lower-level assembly to the top-level assembly.
2. Manually select components from the Model Tree or the graphics window to add
to the Model List.
Note: Use the Remove command to remove components from the Intersected
Comps dialog box.
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2. Click a component from the Model List to highlight it in the graphics window.
2. Right-click the assembly feature that removes material in the Model Tree and
choose Intersect from the shortcut menu or click Edit > Feature Operations >
Intersect. The Intersected Comps dialog box opens.
Note: When Auto Update Intrscts is selected, all components added to the
assembly before the feature are automatically intersected. Intersections are
automatically updated upon regeneration, and you must regenerate the assembly
to view results.
A component added to the assembly after the feature will not be intersected by
the feature even when Auto Update Interscts is selected.
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o Part Level—Makes the new feature visible wherever this version of the
part is used, even outside the current assembly.
o Top Level—Displays the feature only at the top-level assembly and creates
instances of intersected parts. Does not create external references.
Note: The visibility level is shown as parts are added to the Model List.
5. Click to manually add parts to the Model List. Each model is added with the
current visibility level.
o To change the level of display, right-click the component in the Model List
and choose the level from the shortcut menu.
2. Click Edit > Feature Operations > ReIntersect. The RE INTR menu opens.
Before reintersecting assemblies, the system warns you that children not in
session will fail regeneration. It prompts you to retrieve all models that reference
the geometry created by the assembly feature into session.
6. If all children are not in session, choose Cancel from the CONFIRMATION
menu, retrieve the children that are not in session, and return to Step 1. If all
children are in session, choose Confirm. All intersections are updated.
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causes and lists the particular assemblies that have intersection remnants. If you
choose Cancel, the system does not remove remnants. Some of the intersections
may not be updated to the current style. Choose Confirm to remove the
remnants.
2. Select a model in the Model List, right-click, and choose Remove from the
shortcut menu or click Remove.
Modifying Assemblies
• —Activated part
• —Activated subassembly
In an active component you can add or redefine features, edit relations and Family
Tables, and perform some setup actions. Operations that can be performed on other
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components in the assembly are limited to Edit, Hide, Unhide, and Info. The
inactive assembly components become grey and transparent.
After you have modified the component, you must activate the main assembly to
continue working.
To Activate a Component
1. In an open assembly, select a component in the Model Tree or graphics window,
right-click and choose Activate from the shortcut menu.
2. Use the shortcut menu or Edit Feature toolbar to edit the active component.
2. Click View > Display Settings > Model Display. The Model Display dialog
box opens.
3. Click Shade.
Note: When you clear the check box, the inactive components are grey.
6. Click OK.
2. Right-click the dimension to edit and choose Value from the shortcut menu, or
double-click the dimension. The Value box opens.
o Click Tools > Options. The Options dialog box opens. Set the
tol_display configuration file option to yes.
o Click View > Display Settings > Model Display. The Model Display
dialog box opens. On the General tab, select Dimension Tolerances.
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o Click Tools > Environment. The Environment dialog box opens. Select
Dimension Tolerances.
2. Click OK.
2. Right-click a feature in the Model Tree and choose Edit from the shortcut menu.
The feature dimensions are displayed, including tolerances.
3. Select a tolerance from the lower-right corner of the graphics window and enter a
new value.
2. Right-click a feature in the Model Tree and choose Edit from the shortcut menu,
or double-click a feature in the graphics window. Feature dimensions display
including tolerances.
3. Select a tolerance from the display of tolerance values in the lower right corner of
the graphics window and enter a new value. When you exit from this menu, or
when accessed form other operations such as Redefine, Suppress, or Resume,
the tolerance values switch back to those of the assembly level. The modified
values exist, but the values displayed are those of the assembly level.
2. Click Accuracy.
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3. The system displays the current relative accuracy of the active model and
prompts you to change it.
4. Enter a value for relative accuracy. The system informs you that changing
accuracy causes full regeneration and prompts you to continue.
5. Click Yes (the default). If you click No, the modification does not take effect.
Accept the current value, or press ESC to return to the ACCURACY menu without
changing the value. Choose Quit to return to the ASSEM SETUP menu whenever
the system prompt is inactive.
2. Click Accuracy.
Relative is active by default the first time you access the ACCURACY menu for a
model. Otherwise, the accuracy type you used last is active. If Relative is active,
press ESC.
3. Choose Absolute. The ABS ACCURACY menu appears. Set the value in one of
two ways:
The system displays the current absolute accuracy value and default units
[nnnn units] and prompts you to enter a value. If absolute accuracy has
not been defined, the system displays the current relative accuracy.
o Enter a value for absolute assembly accuracy in default units. The system
informs you that changing accuracy causes full regeneration and asks if you
want to continue.
o Click Yes (default). If you click No, the modification does not take effect.
Or
o Choose Select Model. The Open dialog box opens. The top assembly and
all components in the assembly are displayed.
o Click Yes (default). The system informs you that changing accuracy causes
full regeneration and prompts you to continue. If you click No, the
modification does not take effect.
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Accept the current value or press ESC to return to the ACCURACY menu without
changing the value. Choose Quit to return to the ASSEM SETUP menu whenever
the system prompt is inactive.
Note: Selecting a part or assembly as a source for the absolute accuracy setting
does not create dependency between the two models.
o Click Insert and choose a feature from the menu or use the feature toolbar
to add a feature to the part.
o Right-click a part feature in the Model Tree or graphics window and choose
Edit from the shortcut menu to modify the feature dimensions. You can
also double-click a feature in the active part to display its dimensions.
o Right-click the part in the Model Tree and choose Regenerate from the
shortcut menu, or click , select a part feature, and click Edit >
Regenerate.
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Note: When you create part features at the assembly level, be careful not to create
unwanted parent/child relationships between the part and the assembly.
2. Select the skeleton model in the Model Tree or graphics window and click Edit >
Activate or choose Activate from the shortcut menu.
3. To open the skeleton model in a separate window, right-click it in the Model Tree
and choose Open from the shortcut menu.
Note: Several commonly used part commands are not available for skeleton
models. You cannot copy a skeleton model, create a group or user-defined
feature with a skeleton as one of its members, or perform merge and cut
operations.
4. Perform one or more of the following procedures and proceed as you would for
any component:
o To display the SKEL SETUP menu—Click Edit > Setup. Choose one of the
following commands:
Units—Opens the Units Manager dialog box. Change the System of Units
for the skeleton model.
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Ref Control—Opens the Reference Control dialog box for creation and
control of external references.
Restructuring Components
To Restructure a Component
1. Click Edit > Restructure. The RESTRUCTURE menu appears.
When you choose Restructure, the Model Tree displays the assembly
hierarchical tree structure, enabling you to restructure the assembly in the Model
Tree without changing the appearance of the assembly in the main window.
2. Click Move Comp and select a component or subassembly to move. The system
tags the selected member as MOVING in the Restructure Status column of the
Model Tree.
3. Choose Select Target. In the Model Tree, select an assembly to which you want
to move the selected component. The selected component moves to the
designated assembly.
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• When restructuring, if both the original component and the target assembly are
members of the same level assembly, you must move the children of the original
component as well.
2. Select an option:
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3. Select the components and features to regenerate. When you select a component
to regenerate, all features added or modified also are automatically selected for
regeneration and vice versa.
4. Click OK.
2. Click an option:
To Customize Regeneration
Follow this procedure after making a change to a feature in your assembly.
1. To initiate custom regeneration do one of the following operations:
o Click .
Note: The following indicators in the lower-right corner of the main window show
whether an assembly or part needs regeneration:
o Use the View commands to expand each regeneration node to display part
features or assembly components.
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o Click Skip Regen and select the features you do not want to regenerate.
To skip all features for regeneration, click Select All.
If you select a subassembly, all parts and features within that subassembly are
selected.
4. Click OK.
• It was renamed.
• Click Quick Fix > Quit Retr or Fix Model > Quit Retr. This quits assembly
retrieval. All components that have been retrieved are erased from memory.
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Objects in session before initiation of the retrieval remain in session. You can
rename the part or correct the path so the system can find it. To open the
assembly you must retrieve it again.
• Click Fix Model > Component > Adv Utils > Replace. Choose an option:
o Failed Feat—Opens the Open dialog box. Browse for the component to
replace and click Open. The Component Placement dashboard appears with
the component in the graphics window for you to place it in the assembly.
Place the component and click .
• Click Quick Fix > Suppress, Quick Fix > Redefine, or Quick Fix > Delete to
suppress, redefine, or delete the failed component. These commands only apply
to the failed component. To suppress, redefine, or delete another component in
the assembly, use the commands in the Fix Model menu.
• Use other commands in the Fix Model menu and follow the prompts to recover
from the failure.
Note: After recovering from an error, save the new version of the assembly before
exiting Pro/ENGINEER.
2. Select the component with the new name. The Component Placement dashboard
appears with the component in the graphics window.
Note: Save the assembly with the new name of the component before exiting
Pro/ENGINEER.
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• Click Quick Fix > Freeze. The system then places the component (non-
parametrically) in its last known placement. You can redefine it or change it later.
• Click Quick Fix > Redefine. Use the Model Tree to redefine the location of the
component.
• Click Quick Fix > Suppress or Quick Fix > Delete to suppress or delete the
failed component.
• Use commands in the FIX MODEL menu, which is a subset of the ASSEMBLY
menu.
Note: The commands in the QUICK FIX menu apply only to the failed
component. To suppress, redefine, or delete another component in the assembly,
use the commands in the FIX MODEL menu.
Note: After recovering from an error, save the new version of the assembly before
exiting Pro/ENGINEER.
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• An Inheritance feature
• A Merge feature
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2. Click , select the replacement model, and click OK. The name of the selected
component appears in the reference collector.
3. Click Apply. The name of the replacement model appears in the Replace column
in the Model Tree next to the name of the component being replaced.
Note: If you select Copy as Skeleton, the newly created component will be a
skeleton model.
3. Click , and then select a replacement model that is either a Shrinkwrap part
(a part with an external Shrinkwrap feature of the model you are replacing) or a
master model of the Shrinkwrap part you are replacing. Click OK.
4. Note: Only parametric Shrinkwrap objects with source reference information can
be used for the purpose of replacement. Create these objects by using the Insert
> Shared Data > Shrinkwrap command.
5. Click Apply. The name of the replacement model appears in the Model Tree next
to the name of the component to be replaced.
6. Click OK. The system places the new component in the assembly and in the
Model Tree.
2. Click Interchange.
3. Click , select and expand the interchange assembly, select the replacement
model, and click OK. The name of the selected component appears in the New
Component box.
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4. Click Apply. The name of the replacement model appears in the Component
Replace column in the Model Tree next to the name of the component being
replaced.
5. Click OK.
2. Click Layout.
3. Click , select the replacement model, and click OK. You can only select a
component that was declared to the same layout as the original component and
has placement references declared. The name of the selected component appears
in the New Component box.
Note: Click Clear to remove the selected component and browse again for the
replacement model.
4. Click Apply. The name of the replacement model appears in the Replace column
in the Model Tree next to the name of the component being replaced.
5. Click OK.
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3. Click , browse for the replacement model, and then click Open. The name of
the selected component appears in the New Component box.
4. Click OK. The system replaces the original component. The Component
Placement dashboard appears.
2. Click By Copy.
4. Accept the default name, or enter a name for the new model in the Name box,
and click Apply. The name of the replacement model appears in the Replace
column in the Model Tree next to the name of the component being replaced.
5. Click OK.
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• If the part that is copied is declared to a layout, the newly created part is also
declared to the layout.
• If the part that is copied has relations, the new part has relations.
o Models with external copy geometry features. The newly created model has
the same external references as the original model.
• All attributes of the part being copied are copied into the new component,
including:
• When you replace a family member (generic or instance) with a new copy, the
system does not copy Family Table information from the replaced model.
• A component can become a skeleton model only if it does not violate any
accepted skeleton model behavior; for example, it cannot have simplified
representations. In addition, the component must be either the first component
in the assembly, or the first non-skeleton component in the assembly.
• You can copy a part model component into a new skeleton model. You can
generate a native skeleton model, based on a native part model, and have it
replace the part model in an assembly, with all references remapped to the new
skeleton model. This effectively allows a part to be designated as a native
skeleton model through the use of a new model file.
• When set to yes, the first component after the existing skeleton group can be
replaced by a copy of itself. The copy will be a skeleton model (pattern leader
allowed).
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2. Click By Copy.
3. Accept the default name or enter a name for the new component in the Name
text box.
Note: If the Maintain Flexibility check box is cleared, the new copy contains
the same geometry as the flexible component without the flexibility factor.
5. Click OK.
2. To add a component to the list, press and hold CTRL and select additional
components from the Model Tree or graphics window.
3. To remove a component from the list, perform one of the following actions:
o Select a component from the list, right-click, and select Remove from the
shortcut menu.
3. Select additional components from the Model Tree or graphics window, replace
the selected components, and click Apply after each replacement.
4. Click OK.
Note: If the previously selected replacement model can be reused, it will be applied
by default. Accept the default or specify a new replacement model.
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• When references are missing for the replacing component, the Component
Placement dashboard opens. You must specify the component reference,
(assembly references are already defined).
• When you replace a pattern member, all pattern members are automatically
updated, either immediately or after references are selected in the Component
Placement dashboard.
o When the assembly has a family table and one of the table columns is a
component, click Tools > Replace Using in the Family Table dialog box
to replace it with another. Only applicable replacement methods are
available.
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pairing table pairs each current component placement reference with the incoming
component placement reference. Required references, indicated by , must be
paired, while optional references can be left unpaired. The pairing table is saved and
can be used to return the original component to the assembly.
Sometimes you know that one component will be replaced by another, for example,
a simplified representation of components will be replaced with an updated, more
complex component. You can ensure the design intent by consistent naming of
features and interfaces during their creation. The use of identical references ensures
that connected child models are not affected by component replacement.
4. Click to browse for the incoming component. The Open dialog box opens.
Choose the part and click Open.
5. Click Edit Ref Table. The Reference Pairing Table dialog box opens. An active
window with both components opens.
6. Click or Options > Columns Setup to change the table column display. The
Models and Columns display dialog box opens. Change column width, add or
remove columns and click OK.
7. Select a cell in the reference pairing table to activate the row. The reference on
the outgoing component highlights and a tag handle appears.
10. Click the Show Optional Pairing Tags check box to display optional pairing
tags.
12. Click OK in the Replace dialog box. The outgoing component is replaced by the
incoming component.
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2. Click or clear the check box to the right of a rule to enable or disable it.
3. Click Evaluate. The system evaluates the rules and populates the table
accordingly.
4. Click the arrow adjacent to Evaluate and click Evaluate and Create Tags.
Required tags are created first.
5. Click the Show Optional Pairing Tags check box to display optional pairing
tags.
6. Click File > Save as External Interchange to save the reference pairing table
as an external interchange assembly.
7. Click OK.
Note: When you click the Save as External Interchange option, the Save
Interchange Assembly dialog box opens. Accept the New Name or enter one.
Enter an optional Common Name if required.
8. Click OK in the Replace dialog box. The outgoing component is replaced by the
incoming component.
• Follow Same Names (and Type)—Extracts references that have the same
name and type to use as pairing criteria. This is the most powerful autopairing
rule. Intent is clearly defined and each reference is replaced by a reference of the
same name and geometry. Component replacement is automatic and
unambiguous. This option depends on careful planning since geometric features
must be consistently named throughout your projects.
• Follow Same History—Looks for copied data sharing features from the existing
component in the incoming component. Such features are then automatically
used as pairs. When a feature is copied more than once, you are notified and
must choose the correct reference.
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Interchange Assemblies
• If you copy and rename an interchange assembly member using the Save As
command in the File menu, you cannot substitute the newly-created part for the
original one.
Functional Components
Functional components can be replaced by other functional components in a design
assembly. Although these components usually have the same function as the other
components they are not members of a Family Table. Reference tags are used to
match the references of two functional components. The tags can be created
individually for each reference or in a reference pairing table. When the reference
tags do not specify exact references in the target assembly, the Component
Placement dashboard appears and you can replace the component manually.
You can use this functionality in the following ways:
• To replace old or obsolete members in an assembly to reflect changes in the
design or availability of components.
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• To design an assembly using concept blocks or part envelopes that will then be
replaced with fully detailed parts or subassemblies.
Simplify Components
Simplify components are interchangeable visual representations of components in a
simplified representation. You can assign mass properties to simplify components.
When you create a simplified representation, you can set the mass properties of the
simplified representation to be the same as those for the master assembly. Because
you place a simplify component in the simplified representation using the same
placement references as in the interchange assembly, when you assemble or create
a simplify component, you must place it in the interchange assembly using the same
placement constraints.
You can use simplify components in the following ways:
• As a placeholder in an assembly while you design the functional component.
2. Click Assembly, Interchange, and OK. Use the default assembly name or type
a new one.
2. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble > Functional. The Open dialog
box opens.
2. Click or Insert > Reference Tag. The Reference Tag dialog box opens.
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7. Click .
2. Click or Insert > Ref Pairing Table. The Reference Pairing Table dialog
box opens.
4. Click to select the assembly to be used to set the context for the tag
creation. The File Open dialog box opens.
6. Click the Components to Pair collector and select one or more functional
components to pair with the active component in the interchange assembly.
7. Click Create Required Tags. The Auto Tag Creation dialog box opens. When
there is more than one occurrence of the component in the assembly,
a. Use the arrows to select the occurrence from the Select Occurrence
list. It highlights in the graphics area.
b. Click Accept.
8. When more than one component in the interchange assembly can be used to
replace the active component in the selected assembly, click Select items to
activate the Components to Pair box.
Note: Select the required component and right-click in the graphics window to
access the following shortcut menu:
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9. Click or Options > Columns Setup to change the table column display. The
Models and Columns display dialog box opens. Change the column width, add
or remove columns, and click OK.
10. Select the interchange assembly component to replace the active component.
The reference pairing table updates.
11. Select a cell in the reference pairing table to activate the row. The reference on
the active component highlights and a tag handle appears.
12. Select the reference on the replacing component by clicking it or dragging the tag
handle to select it in the graphics window.
13. Continue selecting references until all required references are satisfied.
14. Click the Show Optional Pairing Tags check box to display optional pairing
tags.
2. Click or Insert > Ref Pairing Table. The Reference Pairing Table dialog
box opens.
4. Click to select the assembly to be used to set the context for the tag
creation. The File Open dialog box opens.
6. Click the Components to Pair collector and select one or more functional
components to pair with the active component in the interchange assembly.
8. Click or clear the check box to the right of a rule to enable or disable it.
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9. Click Evaluate. The system evaluates the rules and populates the table
accordingly.
10. Click the arrow adjacent to Evaluate and click Evaluate and Create Tags.
Required tags are automatically created and populated according to the settings
for the evaluation rule order. New tags for subsequent rules and optional tags are
also created.
12. Click or Options > Columns Setup to change the table column display. The
Models and Columns display dialog box opens. Change the column width, add
or remove columns, and click OK.
13. Click the Show Optional Pairing Tags check box to display optional pairing
tags.
• Follow Same Names (and Type)—Extracts references that have the same
name and type to use as pairing criteria. This is the most powerful autopairing
rule. Intent is clearly defined and each reference is replaced by a reference of the
same name and geometry. Component replacement is automatic and
unambiguous. This option depends on careful planning since geometric features
must be consistently named throughout your projects.
• Follow Same History—Looks for copied data sharing features from the existing
component in the incoming component. Such features are then automatically
used as pairs. When a feature is copied more than once, you are notified and
must choose the correct reference.
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2. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble > Simplify. The Open dialog
box opens.
3. Choose the component to insert and click Open. The Simplify Component
dialog box opens.
8. Select the component in the dialog box. Click Remove to remove it or click
Placement to open the Component Placement dashboard and redefine the
component's placement in the interchange assembly.
9. Click OK.
2. Click or Insert > Component > Create. The Component Create dialog
box opens.
3. Accept the default Name or type a new one and click OK. The Creation Options
dialog box opens.
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2. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble > Simplify. The Open dialog
box opens.
3. Choose the component to insert and click Open. The Simplify Component
dialog box opens.
5. Select one of the following options to set the mass properties for the simplify
component you are creating:
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f. Click OK.
3. Click New. Accept the name of the new representation or type a new one and
press ENTER.
4. Click Substitute.
5. Click By Model and select the component to substitute in the graphics window or
Model Tree. The Select Model options activate.
6. Click Interchange and then Browse. The Family Tree dialog box opens.
8. Click .
4. Click Properties.
5. Select the component to substitute from the graphics window or Model Tree.
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3. Click View > Substitute > Interchange. The Family Tree dialog box opens.
4. Select the part and click OK. The master representation changes. To save the
changes as a new simplified representation, open the View Manager.
4. Click Show. The INFORMATION WINDOW opens. All interchange assemblies that
contain the component are listed.
5. Click Remove. The SEL MENU appears, listing the interchange assemblies.
6. Select the interchange assembly to remove the component, or click Select All to
remove the component from all interchange assemblies.
8. Click Done.
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1. A complex subassembly.
Copying Components
To Copy a Component
1. In an open assembly, click Edit > Component Operations. The Menu
Manager appears.
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3. Select one or more components to copy and click OK in the Select dialog box.
The EXIT menu and TRANS DIR menus become active.
4. Specify the moves using the Translate or Rotate options from the EXIT menu
to create the additional components. As in patterns, specify any number of
incremental changes for a move in different directions. You can use any number
of instructions per direction, but only a maximum of three directions can be
defined.
5. Choose X Axis, Y Axis, or Z Axis from the TRANS DIR menu or the ROTATE
DIR menu. The system prompts you to enter a value for the translation distance
or the angle of rotation. Enter a value and click to confirm.
6. As you finish each set of moves, click Done Move from the EXIT menu. The
system prompts you to enter a value for the number of instances you wish to
create.
7. Specify the number of instances along the current direction and repeat steps 4
and 5 to define the next direction for the copy. Continue this process until you
have placed all copies.
5. Click Done from the EXIT menu to execute all the moves.
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• Include All Feature Data—Mirrors geometry with the original feature structure.
The geometry of the target component will not be dependent on the geometry of
the source component.
When mirroring parts and subassemblies, you can control the dependency of the
target component on the source component. There are two dependency toggles on
the geometry of the source component:
• Geometry Dependent—Makes the geometry of the target component depend
on the geometry of the source component.
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2. Click or click Insert > Component > Create. The Component Create
dialog box opens.
4. Enter a name for the new part and then click OK. The MIRROR PART menu
appears.
o Mirror Placement
o Geometry Dependent
o Placement Dependent
Note: When you use Include All Feature Data, the geometry of the target part
is never dependent on the geometry of the source part. When you use Mirror
Placement, the source part is used and therefore no new geometry is created.
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Note: In this example the placement of the target part is dependent on that of the
source part. Therefore, the Align Offset and Insert constraints of the source part are
applied to the target part.
1. Source part
2. Mirroring plane
2. Right-click the merge feature in Model Tree and choose Edit Definition from the
shortcut menu, or click Edit > Definition. The Mirrored Merge Edit Definition
dashboard appears.
3. Click References and then click the Copy Datums check box to toggle datum
copying from the source model.
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Note: When changing references, you must select a feature that precedes
the merge feature in the Model Tree.
5. Click Properties and enter a new name for the Merge feature in the Name text
box.
6. Click to change the reference model of the mirrored part. A warning message
appears.
7. Click Yes to confirm the change, and then select an alternative instance as
reference from the Family Tree dialog box.
8. Click OK to accept your selection. Notice that the new reference model is updated
in the reference collector.
Note: This option is available only for parts that have a Family Table.
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3. Enter a name for the new subassembly, and click OK. The Mirror Subassembly
dialog box opens.
Note: You can select any fully placed subassembly of the current assembly to
mirror, including a previously mirrored subassembly, or an empty or packaged
subassembly.
5. Select or create a planar reference as the mirror plane. The name of the selected
plane is displayed in the Planar Reference area of the dialog box. Any planer
reference can be used.
6. Click OK. The Mirror Subassembly Components dialog box opens with a tree-
like view showing the hierarchy of the mirrored subassembly. Use this dialog box
to define the target components to be renamed:
7. Click OK.
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• You can mirror packaged components and redefine placement (making the
mirrored copies independent of changes to source placement).
• Assembly features within the subassembly being mirrored are copied and the new
assembly cut features of the component intersections may be modified.
3. Accept the default name or enter a new name, and click OK.
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• You cannot retrieve the part until the assembly to which it belongs is in memory.
• During placement
• After placement
Flexibility can be defined for any part or subassembly and can be used for every
placement instance of the component. To make the component flexible in the
assembly, set values or define the following items that will vary to allow the
component to become flexible:
• Dimensions, tolerances, and parameters
Flexible components do not move and will lock the assembly's movement. To allow
kinematic movement, exclude flexible parts from an assembly for the duration of the
dragging operation. Flexible components have the following properties:
• The component name is the same as the original component, even if the shape or
structure is different.
• All instances of the flexible component refer to the original model. The original
model must be present in the Pro/ENGINEER session.
• Common properties are associatively shared between the original component and
all related flexible components and cannot be selected as varied items. When you
modify a common property of a flexible component, you modify the original
model.
• The creation or modification of a varied item affects the flexible instance of the
component, not the original model.
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For more information, search for flexible parts in the Part Modeling functional area of
the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Confirm dialog box
opens.
4. Assign values to the varied items for flexibility and click OK. The Component
Placement dashboard appears.
2. Select the component, right-click it in the Model Tree or graphics window and
choose Make Flexible from the shortcut menu or click Edit > Make Flexible.
The Component Placement dashboard appears with the Varied Items dialog box
open.
o Features
o Geometric Tolerances
o Parameters
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6. Click .
2. Select the component and click Edit > Setup > Flexibility. The Flexibility:
Prepare Varied Items dialog box opens.
4. Click OK.
Note: For more information on flexible parts, search the Part functional area of
the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
• Dimensions
• Dimension boundaries
• Features
• Geometric tolerances
• Parameters
• References
• Surface finishes
Select the appropriate tabs in the Varied Items dialog box to define or redefine
varied items. You can redefine, add new, or remove existing varied items. Assign
values to the varied items to define component flexibility in the assembly.
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Use the following filter options to control the presentation of varied items in the
dialog box:
• All
• Modified
• Unchanged
• Locked
The presentation of varied items properties in the dialog box can be customized.
Click to add or customize varied item columns.
2. In the Model Tree, right-click the subassembly with the component you want to
make flexible, and choose Make Flexible from the shortcut menu. The
subassembly becomes active in the graphics window, and the Component
Placement dashboard appears with the Varied Items dialog box open.
4. Select the component and click . The component is added to the components
list.
5. Select Resumed or Suppressed from the New Status list to define the status
of the newly flexible component in the assembly.
6. Scroll to the Mechanism exclude column, click in the table cell, and select
Included or Excluded from the list to include or exclude the component from
the assembly during dragging operations.
o Dimensions
o Features
o Geometric Tolerances
o Parameters
o Surface Finish
9. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
Note: The subassembly with the flexible component is identified by in the Model
Tree.
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4. Select a feature on the component and click . The feature is added to the
Features list.
8. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
3. To add a new Dimension varied item, select a dimension and click . The new
dimension appears in the table.
4. Enter a New Value for the feature dimension or select an option from the
Method list:
o Curve Length—Opens the Length dialog box. Click Definition and select
a curve or edge to define its value. Click Details to open the Chain dialog
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box. Set Standard or Rule-Based References for the curve chain. Rule-
based references allow you to choose an anchor and chain type: Tangent,
Partial loop, or Complete loop. Configure an Extent Reference for a
partial loop chain and use Options if required.
Note: For more information on chains, search the Fundamentals functional area
of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
o Distance—Opens the Distance dialog box. Click Definition and select two
entities to drive the new value.
o Angle—Opens the Angle dialog box. Click Definition and select two
entities to drive the new angle value.
o Area—Opens the Area dialog box. Click Definition and select the surface
to drive the new value.
5. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
Note: You can define a Geometric Tolerance for the varied dimension. Only the By
Value option is applicable for setting a geometric tolerance.
2. Select the component in the Model Tree or in graphics window, right-click and
choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu, or click Edit > Definition. The
Component Placement dashboard appears.
3. Click Flexibility > Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box opens.
5. Select an option from the Methods list other than Value. The appropriate
Method dialog box opens.
6. Click Definition and select entities in the assembly to drive the value.
7. Click .
8. Click .
9. Click OK.
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10. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
3. On the Dimensions tab, click to add an item with varied dimensions, if none
exists.
4. Click . The Varied Dimension Table Column Setup dialog box opens.
5. Select New Dim Bound in the Not Displayed list and click to add it to the
Displayed list.
6. Click OK.
o Middle—Sets the dimension value to the nominal value plus the mean of
the upper and lower tolerance values.
8. Click OK.
9. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
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3. Click the Geom Tols tab. You are prompted to select an item.
5. Click .
6. The geometry tolerance information is added to the table in the Varied Items
dialog box.
8. Click OK.
9. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
3. Click the Parameters tab. The Select Parameters dialog box opens.
5. Click Insert Selected. The selected parameter appears in the Parameters list.
7. Click to add another parameter to the list and repeat steps 4 through 6.
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8. Click OK.
9. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
3. In the Varied Items dialog box, click the tab of the varied item of your choice.
4. Click to open the Varied Dimension Table Column Setup dialog box.
5. Select Assoc. Param from the Not Displayed list and click .
6. Click OK.
8. Click OK.
9. Click to accept the changes and close the Component Placement dashboard.
3. Click the Flexibility tab. The Varied Items dialog box opens.
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2. Right-click the flexible component in the Model Tree or graphics window and
select Remove Var Items from the shortcut menu. The varied items are
removed and the component no longer has a flexible definition.
2. Select the component, right-click it in the Model Tree or graphics window, and
choose Make Flexible from the shortcut menu, or click Edit > Make Flexible.
The Component Placement dashboard appears with the Varied Items dialog box
open.
Note: To view reference backups in a Model Tree status column, enable Copied
Refs in the Model Tree Columns dialog box.
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2. Right-click and choose Select Parent from the shortcut menu. The parent
assembly or subassembly is selected.
Note: Select Parent is only available when the last item in the selection set is a
component or assembly feature.
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2. Click Attributes.
3. Select the attribute to use for your search. Additional filtering options appear
depending on which attribute you select.
5. In Look For, specify the item types if the action allows for the selection of more
than one entity type.
6. In Look by, create a more detailed query. For example, if you set Look for to
feature and set Look by to dimension. The rules apply to dimensions but the
found items are features that own the found dimensions.
7. In Options, select items that are not visible in the main window. You can search
for excluded (from representation), suppressed, out of session, not placed items
and control the following options:
8. Click Find Now to evaluate search results with set rules and filters. Two areas
appear; A list of found items and an area to transfer selected items.
9. Select found items and click to transfer them into the selected items area.
Note: Click one name to select that item and close the dialog box. In multi-select
mode, click either Apply or Close to select highlighted items. Ctrl and shift editing
commands apply to the results list. Ctrl +LMB selects and unselects multiple items.
Shift + LMB selects a range of items, and Ctrl +A selects or unselects all items.
2. Click History. The following items appear allowing you search by:
o ID
o Number
o Failed Feat
o Last Feat
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o All
3. Select the item to use for your search. Additional filtering options appear
depending on which item you select.
5. In Look For, specify the item types if the action allows for the selection of more
than one entity type.
7. In Options, select items that are not visible in the main window. You can search
for excluded (from representation), suppressed, out of session, not placed items
and control the following options:
8. Click Find Now to evaluate search results with set rules and filters. Two areas
appear; A list of found items and an area to transfer selected items.
9. Select found items and click to transfer them into the selected items area.
Note: Click one name to select that item and close the dialog box. In multi-select
mode, click either Apply or Close to select highlighted items. Ctrl and shift editing
commands apply to the results list. Ctrl +LMB selects and unselects multiple items.
Shift + LMB selects a range of items, and Ctrl +A selects or unselects all items.
2. Click Status.
3. Select one of the following status items to use for your search. Additional filtering
options appear depending on which status item you select.
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5. In Look For, specify the item types if the action allows for the selection of more
than one entity type.
7. In Options, select items that are not visible in the main window. You can search
for excluded (from representation), suppressed, out of session, not placed items
and control the following options:
8. Click Find Now to evaluate search results with set rules and filters. Two areas
appear; A list of found items and an area to transfer selected items.
9. Select found items and click to transfer them into the selected items area.
Note: Click one name to select that item and close the dialog box. In multi-select
mode, click either Apply or Close to select highlighted items. Ctrl and shift editing
commands apply to the results list. Ctrl +LMB selects and unselects multiple items.
Shift + LMB selects a range of items, and Ctrl +A selects or unselects all items.
2. Click Status.
5. In Look For, specify the item types if the action allows for the selection of more
than one entity type.
7. In Options, select items that are not visible in the main window. You can search
for excluded (from representation), suppressed, out of session, not placed items
and control the following options:
8. Click Find Now to evaluate search results with set rules and filters. Two areas
appear; A list of found items and an area to transfer selected items.
9. Select found items and click to transfer them into the selected items area.
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Note: Click one name to select that item and close the dialog box. In multi-select
mode, click either Apply or Close to select highlighted items. Ctrl and shift editing
commands apply to the results list. Ctrl +LMB selects and unselects multiple items.
Shift + LMB selects a range of items, and Ctrl +A selects or unselects all items.
3. Click Geometry.
Note: To enable the Geometry tab, Component must be selected in the Look
for: list.
4. Select one of the following geometry types to use for your search. Additional
filtering options appear depending on which attribute you select.
6. In Options, select items that are not visible in the main window. You can search
for excluded (from representation), suppressed, out of session, not placed items
and control the following options:
7. Click Find Now to evaluate search results with set rules and filters. Two areas
appear; a list of found items and an area to transfer selected items.
8. Select found items and click to transfer them into the selected items area.
Note: Click one name to select that item and close the dialog box. In multi-select
mode, click either Apply or Close to select highlighted items. Ctrl and shift editing
commands apply to the results list. Ctrl + LMB selects and unselects muliple items.
Shift + LMB selects a range of items, and Ctrl + A selects or unselects all items.
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Managing Views
Exploded Views
You can define multiple exploded views for each assembly and then use any of these
saved views at any time. You can also set an explode state for each drawing view of
an assembly.
Each component has a default exploded position determined by the placement
constraints. By default, the reference component of the exploded view is the parent
assembly (top-level assembly or subassembly).
When using exploded views, keep in mind the following rules:
• If you explode a subassembly in the context of a higher level assembly, the
components in the subassembly are not exploded automatically. You can specify
the exploded state to use for each subassembly.
• When the exploded view is turned off, information about the exploded position of
components is kept. The components return to their previous exploded position
when the exploded view is turned on.
• All assemblies have a default exploded view, which is created using the
component placement specifications.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens.
2. Click Explode.
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4. Press ENTER to accept the name or type a new name. The exploded view is
active.
5. Click Properties and set the explode position of the assembly components.
7. Click Edit > Save. The Save Display Elements dialog box opens.
2. To return the view to its former unexploded state, click View > Explode >
Unexplode View.
2. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
2. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
3. Click Explode.
5. Select a component from the component list in the View Manager and click
to toggle the exploded view on or off. The status of the component is set to
exploded or unexploded .
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6. Click Close.
• offset_line_def_color
Manager, select the Explode tab, and click . The Entity Select menu
appears.
2. Select a pair of start and end anchor points for the offset lines:
3. Follow the prompts to select the start and end points. When complete a message
appears indicating the assembly components are successfully exploded.
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o Mod Line Style—Select a line to modify using options in the Line Style
dialog box.
o Set Def Style—Set a new default line style and color using options in the
Line Style dialog box.
Cross Sections
With the Surfacing model you can create planar cross sections that automatically
intersect all quilts and all geometry in the current model.
The following restrictions apply to using cross sections:
• If you have a detailed drawing, crosshatching is visible even if you click No
Hidden.
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Assembly Zones
Use the Xsec tab in the View Manager to create zones. Each zone is named and
stored with the top-level assembly or part.
You can create an assembly zone based on offset distances from a coordinate
system, datum plane references, closed assembly feature surfaces, 2-D elements
(such as curves) or by specifying a distance from an entity. Zone references can
come from any level of the assembly. You can define the coordinate systems, datum
planes or surfaces while you create a zone, or you can use preexisting coordinate
systems, datum planes, or surfaces.
You can use coordinate systems, flat datum planes, or extruded or revolved surfaces
to define what is inside the zone or outside the zone. For example, if you define a
zone to include everything on one side of a datum plane, that side is a half-space of
the datum plane. You can combine any number of half-spaces. However, if you use
more than 6 half-spaces, view clipping is not available.
You can manage a collection of components or assembly areas by using closed
surfaces to define the assembly zone boundaries. Sketch a closed section and
extrude it to get a surface with capped ends. This closed section, which defines the
zone’s boundaries, specifies which components are included in the zone. Components
are included in zones as follows:
• If a component lies in more than one zone, the system includes it in both zones.
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Note: A bounding box highlighting the geometry for selected zones is visible when
using Offset CSYS, Inside-Outside, and Half-Space types. However, a bounding
box does not appear when using Radial Distance From.
To Clip a Zone
1. Retrieve an assembly.
2. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
4. Create a zone in your model using the Half-Space (datum plane) reference
type.
5. Right-click the name of the zone to clip and click Set Active from the shortcut
menu. The model is clipped.
Note: You can click Display > Flip to change the side clipping that occurs on your
model. You can also click Display > Exclude Comps to disable graphic selection of
geometry that is clipped away.
2. Click or View > View Manager, click the Xsec tab and then click New. A
default zone name appears in the Names area of the View Manager dialog box.
3. Accept the default zone name or enter a new one and press ENTER. The XSEC
OPTS menu appears.
4. Click Zone. A dialog box opens labeled with the zone name.
6. On the From list, select the type of entity from which to measure:
o Any
o Vertex
o Point
o Line/Axis
o Curve/Edge
o Curve Feature
o Plane
o Surface
o Cable
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o Part
o Subassembly
o Component Center
7. Select the specific entity from which to measure in the graphics window.
9. Click to preview the newly created zone and click to close the Zone
dialog box.
Note: Zones created using distance from an element cannot be view clipped.
2. Click or View > View Manager, click the Xsec tab and then click New. A
default zone name appears in the Names area of the View Manager dialog box.
3. Accept the default zone name or type a new one and then press ENTER. The
XSEC OPTS menu appears.
4. Click Zone. A dialog box opens labeled with the zone name.
6. Select an existing closed quilt from the graphics window or Model Tree. The quilt
appears in the references list.
8. Click to preview the newly created zone and click to close the Zone
dialog box.
2. Click or View > View Manager, click the Xsec tab and then click New. A
default zone name appears in the Names area of the View Manager dialog box.
3. Accept the default zone name or type a new one and press ENTER. The XSEC
OPTS menu appears.
4. Click Zone. A dialog box opens labeled with the zone name.
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Note: If you change the reference type after specifying references, they are no
longer displayed. If you switch back to that type of reference, they reappear.
6. Select a datum plane from the graphics window or Model Tree. The datum plane
name appears in the reference list. The nine arrows that appear in the graphics
window indicate which side of the datum is used to define the zone. Use to
change direction.
7. Click to preview the newly created zone and click to close the Zone
dialog box.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
3. Right-click the zone to be deleted and select Remove from the shortcut menu.
Note:
• You can also select the zone to be deleted and click Edit > Remove.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
2. Click the Xsec tab. All assembly zones and cross sections appear in the Names
area of the View Manager.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
3. Right-click the zone name to be changed and select Redefine from the shortcut
menu. The Zone dialog box opens with the zone references displayed.
Note: You can also expand the Footer group located at the bottom of the
Model Tree. Right-click the zone name and choose Edit Definition from the
shortcut menu.
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1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
To View a Zone
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
To Rename a Zone
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
3. In the View Manager, right-click the zone to be renamed and choose Rename
from the shortcut menu.
5. Click Close.
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2. Click View > Zone or open the View Manager, click the Xsec tab, and then
click New. A default zone name appears in the Names area of the View
Manager dialog box.
3. Accept the default zone name or enter a new one and press ENTER. The XSEC
OPTS menu appears.
4. Click Zone. A dialog box opens labeled with the zone name.
6. Create a new coordinate system or select an existing one from the graphics
window or the Model Tree. The coordinate system name appears in the reference
list. A three-dimensional bounding box appears, enclosing the created or selected
coordinate system.
7. Specify the offset from the coordinate system by changing the distance values of
the six planes making up the bounding box (X1, Y1, Z1 and X2, Y2, Z2). The
graphics window updates whenever you change a value and press ENTER. The
values of X1 and X2, Y1 and Y2, and Z1 and Z2 cannot be the same.
Note: When a bounding box expands beyond the model's outline, two bounding
boxes are displayed in the graphics window:
10. Click to preview the newly created zone and click to close the Zone
dialog box.
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Component display styles can be modified without using the View Manager. You
can select desired models from the graphics window, Model Tree, or search tool, and
then use the View> Display Style commands to assign a display style to the
selected models. These temporary changes can be stored to a new display style, or
updated to an existing one. When a default display styles is defined, it appears each
time the model is retrieved.
or
2. Click Style.
4. Press ENTER to accept the default style name or enter a new one. The Edit dialog
box opens.
5. Click Show and select a display style from the Method list.
7. Click to preview the selected style and click to accept the change.
2. Click Style.
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o —Wireframe
o —Solid
o —Transparent
o —Hidden lines
o —Blank
2. Click Settings > Tree Columns from the Model Tree. The Model Tree Columns
dialog box opens.
3. From the Type list select Display Styles. Choose a style to add to the list in the
Displayed column.
4. Click OK. The new style column appears in the Model Tree.
5. Select a component with a defined display style, and then redefine the display
style by selecting a different one from the Display Style column.
The components behind the assigned part are displayed in wireframe, but the
sections of edges masked by the component with hidden lines are not displayed.
• Hidden Line—All components and the hidden line component are displayed in
the same way.
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Note: The default transparency value is 75. You can set the
style_state_transparency configuration option in a range of 0–100.
The display style for assembly components affects only the top-level assembly.
Display style information exists in the assembly, not in the components.
Components in a subassembly may have defined display styles before their
assembly. Use the By Display command in the Edit Display menu to activate
subassembly settings in the assembly. As a result, when you retrieve the
subassembly in another session, it retains the display style that you assigned it.
Keep the following in mind when using display styles:
• The display style of the components in an assembly overrides the general display
style setting. You cannot mix general display style settings and different states
on individual components. When you select a component and assign a display
style to it, the unassigned components appear in accordance with the general
display style setting.
• You can store a component with an assigned display style and retrieve that style
by name so that you can return the model to the regular display style without
losing defined settings.
• You can also change display states in simplified representations and exploded
assemblies.
Assembly Orientation
• Refit the model to the screen so that you can view the entire model.
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1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager The View Manager
dialog box opens.
2. Click Orient.
3. Click New. A default name appears for your view. Change the view name or
press ENTER to accept it.
4. Right-click the view name, and then click Redefine. The Orientation dialog box
opens.
5. Orient the model by references or position the model to the desired view using
the spin, pan, and zoom commands.
7. Click Edit > Save. The Save Display Elements dialog box opens.
Combination Views
• Simplified representations
• Model style
• Cross sections
• Exploded views
• Layer status
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
2. Configure the display settings to be saved with the new combination view.
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5. Press ENTER to accept the default name or type a new name and press ENTER.
The New Presentation State dialog box opens.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.
3. Right-click the combination view to edit and select Redefine from the shortcut
menu. The combination view definition dialog box opens.
o Orientation
o Simplified Rep
o Style
o Cross Section
Click Visible Cross Sections. The Select Xsec dialog box opens. Double-
click a listed cross section to preview.
o Explode
o Layers
6. Click .
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Reference Views
• Task panel
• Parent/Child graph
• Shortcut menus
o Save Paths—Saves all paths in the paths tab with the model.
o Export > Export All Full Paths—Exports all the full paths in the model to
a text file.
o Export > Export Paths List—Exports all the paths in the Paths tab to a
text file.
o Export > Export Graph as Text—Exports all parents and children in the
graph to a text file.
o Export > Export Model Tree as Text—Exports the Model Tree to a text
file.
o Close
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• Actions
o Find in Model Tree > Filter Tree—Filters the Model Tree according to
reference and object filters.
Task Panel
Contains the following tabs:
• Reference Filters—Controls the reference filters settings.
Parent/Child Graph
This graph displays the parents and children of the current object. The displayed
objects can be selected directly in the graph for reference investigation.
• —Displays a history list of the current item. Click an item from the list to
make it current.
Shortcut Menus
To access a shortcut menu, right-click an object on the Parent/Child graph or
anywhere inside the graph to quickly access general commands.
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Regular References
Regular references are created between features in the context of a single part or in
the context of an assembly. Feature references can be local or external. Local
references are created by features that only reference geometry of the model in
which they were created. External references are created by a feature referencing
geometry that does not belong to the model where the feature is created.
Note: External references are indicated by a gray dot on the reference arrow in the
Parent/Child graph.
Relation References
Relation references are equations written between dimensions and parameters to
define relationships within features or parts, or among assembly components. You
can investigate model and feature relations, and you can investigate local and
external references created by relations. By default, relation references are indicated
by a red arrow between two objects in the Parent/Child graph.
Note: The color of the reference arrows can be customized.
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Placement References
Placement references are used to place a component in an assembly. When a part is
added to an assembly, the system creates a component feature called a Placement
folder. The folder stores the part name and the part and assembly entities that were
used to place the part. Placement references are indicated by .
System References
System references are created automatically by Pro/ENGINEER.
To Investigate References
1. Open an assembly or part.
2. In the Model Tree, right-click an assembly component or a part feature and select
Info > Reference Viewer. The Reference Viewer dialog box opens with the
selected component as the current object.
Note: To set an object as current when the Reference Viewer is open, right-
click an object in the Model Tree or graphics window and select Set Current.
3. Set the reference filters. The graph area displays related objects, references, and
dependencies according to the set filters.
4. Click Actions > Info and select Reference Info, Feature Info, or Relation
Info to open the information window for the selected object.
o Click next to a graph object. The subitem window opens. Move the
pointer over a listed subitem to highlight its reference in the Parent/Child
graph.
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o Regular
o Placement
o Relation
o System
o Components in path
5. Set the object types from which references are displayed in the graph:
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2. Select an object to investigate, right-click, and choose Set Current from the
shortcut menu. The selected object appears in the graph area. Related objects,
references, and dependencies are displayed, according to the set filters.
3. Click Actions > Find Paths or right-click an object and choose Find Paths from
the shortcut menu. The Find Paths dialog box opens and the selected object
appears in the From Object box.
Full path to current object—Displays the full path from the reference to the
current object.
5. Click Find Path. The reference path is given a default name and added to the
path list.
Note:
• To rename a selected reference path, right-click, choose Rename from the
shortcut menu, and type a new name.
• To delete a selected reference path, right-click, and choose Delete from the
shortcut menu.
3. Click File > Save Paths or press CTRL+S. The reference paths are saved to the
session.
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3. Select an object to investigate, right-click, and choose Set Current from the
shortcut menu.
4. Click File > Export > Export All Full Paths. An information window containing
all the references opens.
Note: When you open the information window, the system creates a file
(grv_full_path.inf) that contains the reference data. This file in the working
directory is overwritten each time you use the Export All Full Paths command.
5. Click File > Save or File > Save As to save the information window and click
Close.
2. Click the Paths tab and then click Find Circular Paths. The model is
regenerated and the existing circular paths are listed.
2. Select an object to investigate, right-click, and choose Set Current from the
shortcut menu. The selected object appears in the graph area. Related objects,
references, and dependencies are displayed according to the set filters.
3. Right-click a reference arrow in the graph area and select Display Full Path. The
Full Path Display dialog box opens displaying the route of the selected
reference in the assembly tree.
Note: The black arrow indicates the connection between the end entities. The red
arrows indicate the reference path in the assembly.
4. Click Close.
2. On the References Filters tab, set the reference filters and click Filter Model
Tree. The Model Tree is filtered according to the set filters.
3. To filter the Model Tree by object type, select on of the following options from the
Filter By list:
o Parents References
o Child References
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3. Click File > Export > Export Model Tree as Text. The Get Name dialog box
opens.
4. Type a name in the Enter file name box and click OK. The Model Tree is
exported to a text file and saved in the working directory.
2. Select an object to investigate, right-click, and choose Set Current from the
shortcut menu. The selected object appears as the Current Object at the center
of the graph area. Parent objects are displayed to the left of the Current Object
and child objects are displayed to the right of it.
3. Click to close the parent or child reference columns of the Parent/Child Graph.
To restore a closed reference column, click View and select and select one of the
following options:
Note: You can also right-click the graph area and choose one of the above
options from the shortcut menu.
To Investigate Dependencies
1. Click Info > Reference Viewer. The Reference Viewer dialog box opens.
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4. Set the object types from which references are displayed in the graph:
• Dependencies to layouts
2. Click the Reference Filters tab and then click Dependencies. The Parent/Child
graph displays the model dependencies.
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Complete the exercises in their order. Follow the instructions in the Setup page to
get started.
Setup
To work through this tutorial, you need Pro/ENGINEER Wilfire 4.0 or later and the
model.zip file provided.
1. Download the model.zip file and extract it to a directory on your hard drive.
2. Start Pro/ENGINEER.
3. Click File > Set Working Directory. The Set Working Directory dialog box
opens.
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8. In the Model Tree, click Settings > Tree Filters. The Model Tree Items dialog
box opens.
9. Under Display, click all the items and then click OK.
About Exercise 1
The Reference Viewer provides a graphical illustration of parent and child
relationships in the design. When you select an assembly object for reference
investigation, the graph area displays its parents and children. The investigated
object is usually placed at the center of the Parent/Child graph. Parent objects are
positioned on the left of the graph and children on the right.
In this exercise you will learn how to open the Reference Viewer and view the
current object’s parents and children.
Proceed to Task 1.1.
3. Right-click BASE_ARM.PRT and select Info > Reference Viewer. The Reference
Viewer opens with BASE_ARM.PRT set as the current object. In the Reference
Filters tab, ensure that References is selected.
Tip: Click Info > Reference Viewer to open the Reference Viewer with the
top model as the current object.
4. Review the Parent/Child graph. This graph uses arrows to represent the
references between the current object and its parents and children.
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Note: To view the full reference path between two objects, right-click a reference
arrow, and select Display Full Path from the shortcut menu. The Reference
Path Display dialog box opens.
2. Click above BASE_ARM.PRT. The subitem window opens and includes all the
items (in BASE_ARM.PRT) that are responsible for the references displayed in the
graph.
3. Place the pointer over a subitem to highlight its reference arrow in the
Parent/Child graph. For example, place the pointer over Copy Geometry id 39.
The reference to BASE_SKEL.PRT is highlighted in light blue.
Note: You can click to close the parents or children reference columns. The
content of the subitem window updates accordingly. To restore a closed reference
column and view parents and children, click View > Parents and Children.
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Graphical Definition
Display
An external reference.
About Exercise 2
The Reference Viewer can be set to display only references of interest.
In this exercise you will learn how to control the graph display and filter references
by scope, status, and type. You will also learn how to filter the Model Tree to easily
find objects with specific reference types.
Proceed to Task 2-1.
2. Click Settings > Tree Filters. The Model Tree Items dialog box opens. Click
Features to display component features in the Model Tree and click OK.
4. On the Reference Filters tab, set the scope to external. The local references are
filtered out and the graph displays only external references.
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5. On the Reference Filters tab, clear all reference type filters except Placement.
Nonplacement and local placement references are filtered out and the graph
displays only external placement references.
Note:
• Click next to a reference type to assign a new color to the reference type.
• The reference filter settings are saved for the current Pro/ENGINEER session.
2. Make sure that the WHIRLWIND_250 assembly is set as the active assembly
component and click Info > Reference Viewer. The Reference Viewer opens
with the top-level assembly as the current object.
4. In the Model Tree, click Show > Expand All. Note that only components with
relation references are displayed in the Model Tree.
6. You can filter the Model Tree to display objects with parents only or objects with
children only. To view only objects with parents, select Parent References from
the Filter By list.
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About Exercise 3
The Reference Viewer can provide information on paths and references. In this
exercise you will learn how to:
• Use the Path Overview graph to display and navigate a defined path.
• Use the Reference Viewer to find and save a path between two objects.
3. Expand BASE.PRT, right-click the Copy Geometry feature, and select Info >
Reference Viewer. The Reference Viewer opens with the Copy Geometry
feature set as the current object.
4. On the Reference Filters tab select all Reference Types. Note that the feature
has only parents.
6. Right-click the BASE extrude feature and choose Set as current from the
shortcut menu. The object is added to the Path Overview graph.
8. Click an object in the Path Overview graph. The selected object is highlighted and
becomes the current object in the Parent/Child graph.
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Note: The Path Overview graph displays symbols that indicate the existence of a
subitem link between two adjacent objects.
3. Click Actions > Find Paths. The Find Paths dialog box opens. DRIVETRAIN.ASM
appears in the From Object box. Next, you must select a destination object for
the To Object box.
5. Click Path 1 to view the reference path from the MOTOR part to the
DRIVETRAIN_SKEL part.
7. To save the reference paths, click File > Save Paths. The Save Paths dialog
box opens. Type a name for the saved paths list in the Name box and click OK.
The list is saved in the working directory.
Note: To open the saved paths file in the Reference Viewer, click File > Load
Paths.
2. Click the Paths tab and then click Find Circular Paths. Note that 3 circular
paths are added to the circular paths list.
3. Click a circular path from the list. The selected path is displayed in the
Parent/Child graph.
Note:
• Circular references occur when an assembly contains a number of cross
references that form a loop. In this example there is a circular reference between
the HUB and the BLADE parts. The hub is referenced by the blade for placement
constraints and the blade is referencing the hub’s protrusion.
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• The circular paths are stored in the working directory by default. Note the
whirlwind_250.crc file in the working directory.
About Exercise 4
Dependencies between features and models are created by Pro/ENGINEER to enable
work on Product Development Management systems.
In this exercise you will learn to display model dependencies. You will also learn how
to break dependencies before the models are checked into a PDM system.
Proceed to Task 4-1.
2. In the Model Tree, right-click the FAN subassembly and select Info > Reference
Viewer. The Reference Viewer opens with the selected part set as the current
object.
Note: You can filter the displayed dependencies to view only dependencies of
interest.
4. Review the model dependencies, close the Reference Viewer, and click File >
Close Window.
2. Open the DRIVETRAIN assembly and click Info > Reference Viewer. The
Reference Viewer opens with the top-level assembly set as the current object.
The symbol for a missing reference is . Note the two missing references.
5. To locate the second missing dependent object, right-click the DRIVESHAFT part,
and select Retrieve Ref. The File Open dialog box opens.
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6. Select the DRIVESHAFT part from the working directory and click Open. The
missing part is retrieved into session.
Summary
Now that you have completed this four-part tutorial, you should be able to:
• Open the Reference Viewer and investigate parent and child relationships.
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• Right-click on the top assembly in the Model Tree and click Reference Control
to set the reference scope and handling for a part in Assembly mode.
• Open the Ref Control column in the Model Tree, and then use the right mouse
button to select Ref Control for a part or subassembly within an assembly.
Each of these methods opens the External Reference Control dialog box. Use the
Look In drop-down list to select the object and object type (part, assembly, or
component). The dialog box is divided into two tabs: Accessible and Shared.
The Accessible tab of the dialog box refers to setting the allowable references of the
current model that can be borrowed from other models. The Shared tab refers to
setting the allowable external references that can be shared by other models. This
tab includes external references for feature creation, and also allowed component
placement constraint references. Settings are the same as for environmental
reference control. If there are object-specific settings and an environmental setting
for scope control on an object, the system enforces the more restrictive setting for
the object.
Accessible
• All—Allow external references to any component.
• Skeleton Model— Allow external references only to the skeleton of high level
subassemblies.
• You may choose to use backup of forbidden references by selecting the Backup
Forbidden References check box.
Shared
Geometry Allowed for Referencing
• All—Allow external references to any geometry in the model.
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Geometry to be Referenced
• All—Allow external references to any geometry.
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• Change Color of Allowed for Backup—Selecting this check box causes the
color of out-of-scope references that are allowed as local copies to change to the
user-specified color during reference selection. Click to display the Color
Editor dialog box, and set the user-defined color. A bitmap on this button shows
the current user-defined color for these references.
A separate section is used to control what references can be used when assembling
this model to another assembly.
• All—Allows all geometry to be referenced when assembling this component into
an assembly.
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• None—No geometry from this part can be use to assembly this component into
another assembly. This component must be assembled using Fix or Default
constraints.
These settings are functional during runtime actions. Any references already
established do not fail during regeneration.
For Part—The part can make external references to any other part, subassembly,
or skeleton model in the assembly.
For Skeleton Model—The skeleton model can make external references to any
other skeleton model, part, or subassembly in the assembly.
For Part—The part can make external references to other parts that are in the
same subassembly object anywhere in the assembly as the part being modified,
to subassemblies and their subcomponents that are in the same subassembly as
the part being modified, and to the skeleton model of the subassembly to which
the part being modified belongs.
For Skeleton Model—The skeleton model can make external references to any
parts or subassemblies (and their subcomponents) of the subassembly to which it
belongs, and also to those of a higher-level subassembly to which the
subassembly belongs.
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For Part—The part can reference the skeleton model of the subassembly to which
it belongs, or any higher-level skeleton model that is its direct ancestor.
For Skeleton Model—The skeleton model can reference any higher-level skeleton
model that is its direct ancestor.
For Part—The part cannot have external references. Part features can reference
only other features in the part being modified.
1. Assembly
2. Modified component
3. Allowed scope
4. Skeleton model
5. Modified component
6. Allowed scope
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1. Assembly
2. Modified component
3. Allowed scope
4. Skeleton model
5. Modified component
6. Allowed scope
2. Set an object-specific reference control None and clear the Backup Forbidden
References check box.
3. Set an object-specific reference control Skeleton Model and clear the Backup
Forbidden References check box.
These reference control settings are stored with the assembly and are not
environment dependent.
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the scope. The system also displays a message identifying the model whose scope
has been violated.
• Forbidden References not Allowed for Backup—Any items not allowed for
backup cannot be added to selection bin.
• Using multiple models; that is, using the same part in several assemblies and
trying to modify one of the parts or assemblies
• To specify the default setting in the Reference Control dialog box for reference
handling, set the configuration file option scope_invalid_refs to prohibit or
copy.
• To set the default reference scope and not allow anyone to change that setting
from inside the Pro/ENGINEER interface, specify the appropriate value for
default_ext_ref_scope. Then set the configuration file option
allow_ref_scope_change to no (yes is the default). You cannot use this option
unless you have set default_ext_ref_scope.
• To specify the default settings for the reference control in a new object, set the
configuration file option default_object_scope_setting to all (the default),
none, skeletons, or subassemblies.
• To specify the default setting in the Reference Control dialog box for reference
handling of new objects, set the configuration file option
default_object_invalid_refs to prohibit or copy.
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• To control whether users can change the scope setting of components, set the
configuration file option model_allow_ref_scope_change to yes or no.
• To ignore object-specific reference scope settings, set the configuration file option
ignore_all_ref_scope_settings to no (yes is the default). The Environment scope
settings will still be enforced.
Tip: View the Status of Locally Copied References from the Model Tree
When you have set the configuration file option fail_ref_copy_when_missing_orig
to no, you can view information on the status of locally copied references in the
Copied Refs column of the Model Tree.
• You can redefine a feature with external references in its current context.
2. Right-click the external reference backup and choose Make Feature from the
shortcut menu. A warning message appears.
Note: You can also drag the external reference backup and drop it outside the
feature Model Tree node.
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To Copy an Assembly
Using Copy From, you can copy an entire assembly or subassembly into a new
assembly.
You can use Copy From to copy features but not parts or any solid geometry. Copy
From is available only for copying an assembly that is empty (but that can contain
assembly features) into an assembly that is completely empty (one that does not
contain even assembly features).
Recommended practice is to use start components and default templates. This
functionality may often be used more efficiently than Copy From to replicate
assemblies. For information about using default templates, search the Fundamentals
functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
Note: Start assemblies, which you can use to create a new subassembly, can
contain assembly-level data (such as features, parameters, and layers) but cannot
contain components or skeleton models.
If the selected start part or assembly has a family table, you will be prompted to
select a particular instance of that family table, and the information that is
associated with that instance will be copied to the newly created component. If you
select the generic instance, the family table will not be copied over to the new
component.
If you have specified a default template (you can set the configuration file option
start_model_dir to specify its location), the system uses that template, or start
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model, for the part. Using a template as a start model allows you to include critical
layers, datum features, and views in the model.
For detailed information, search the Fundamentals functional area of the
Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
You must use the Regenerate command to update the modified parts after you
make dimensional modifications. You can select individual parts to regenerate or you
can perform an automatic regeneration by selecting no components at all. Automatic
regeneration is performed by default by the regenerate command. The regenerate
command, with nothing selected, identifies and regenerates all parts that were
modified along with the top level assembly and subassemblies.
• Control references
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Note: You can invoke an operation from the Model Tree window only when no other
operation is active in the system. Also, when a sub-model is active, the operations
allowed on items of non-active models are limited to Edit, Hide/Unhide, and Info.
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2. Click the Type list, and select the name of a column from the list of types of
information.
3. Click the right arrow command button to add the specified column to the
Displayed list of columns.
4. Click OK to close the dialog box. The new column now appears in the Model Tree.
The system displays appropriate information in this column.
o Reference control
o Copied references
o Model size
• Feature parameters
• Database parameters
• Model parameters
• Simplified representations
• Layer information
• Notes
2. Click Settings > Save status in sub models (active by default). The Save
status in sub models command is deactivated and the display status of lower-
level component layers is stored at the top-level assembly.
3. Click Layer > Save Status to save the display status in the top-level assembly.
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• When component layer status is saved at the assembly level, component model
display in part window is not affected.
• When multiple windows are open, the current layer status is displayed when the
assembly is activated.
• Right-click an assembly from the Model Tree. A shortcut menu appears. Click
Info > Model.
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For information about the Info menu, search the Fundamentals functional area of
the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
3. Select a constraint from the list in the dialog box. Pro/ENGINEER highlights the
corresponding model geometry in magenta and cyan.
To Check Clearance
In Assembly mode, you can check clearances and interferences between parts, as
well as between any two surfaces within the assembly.
Note: Exploded views are only cosmetic and have no effect on clearance
computations. The displayed results in such cases correspond to an unexploded
model.
1. Click Analysis > Model Analysis to open the Model Analysis dialog box.
o Mass Properties
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o Pairs Clearance
o Global Clearance
o Volume Interference
o Global Interference
o Short Edge
o Edge Type
o Thickness
Note: These settings affect performance and may not be acceptable for very large
assemblies. Clearance interference calculations using these settings take 50 to 150
times longer than default clearance checking calculations.
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For example, parameters in an assembly appear for part with session_ID 1 as d0:1,
d1:1, and d2:1; for part with session_ID 3, they appear as d0:3, d1:3, and d2:3. If
you select a part in Assembly mode, you can enter the part relations either in Part
format (d0 = 2*d1) or in Assembly format (d0:3 = 2*d1:3).
When using relations to relate parts within assemblies, keep in mind the following:
• If the relation drives a part that is a member of the assembly, it does so only in
the context of the assembly. (In Part mode, you can modify the driven value if
the assembly containing the relation is not in memory.)
• You can use assembly relations to drive dimensions only on dimensions driven by
a family table.
• You cannot add or edit an assembly relation that tries to drive a parameter that a
part relation is already driving.
• If you add a part relation that drives the same parameter as one that already
exists in an assembly relation, the new part relation drives the parameter, but
the system displays an error message during the assembly regeneration.
In the assembly BOM, you must still list nongeometric assembly features that do not
have representable geometry such as glue, paint, and solder (referred to as "bulk
items").
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Master Representation is in session, the BOM is not accurate. Pro/PDM provides the
full BOM without retrieval of objects. In Pro/REPORT, the BOM is available only when
you retrieve an assembly as the Master Representation.
For substituted objects, Pro/ENGINEER has access to the names of both the original
object and the substituted object. The mass properties of the substituted component
are available because the component is in session. If they have been assigned
through Interchange mode, the mass properties of the original object are available in
the substituted component.
• In the RELATIONS menu, choose Component Id; then select the component.
The system displays the session ID of the component in the message window.
The terms session ID, runtime ID, coding symbol, and component ID are all
equivalent.
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o If that solid is not a table-driven solid assembly or part, you can simply
retrieve it and replace it in the generic.
o If that solid is a generic, you are asked if you want an instance of that
generic.
Note: Pro/ENGINEER refers first to the solids in session, even if they have no
solid file, and their instances are visible even if there is no .idx file.
• Change it while it is in session in the active window. Then, when the instance is
regenerated, the system automatically updates the generic geometry and Family
Table.
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You must observe the following rules when you are creating or using assembly
families:
• If an instance of an assembly is in the active window and you assemble a
component or add an assembly feature, that component or assembly feature is
added as a new item in the assembly Family Table, but only for that particular
instance. It is suppressed for the generic and all other instances.
• You cannot directly substitute components that are listed in the Family Table of
the instance. To substitute a component, you must edit the Family Table and
replace the component for the instance.
2. Click or Insert > Columns. The Family Items dialog box opens.
3. Under Add Item, click Component. The Select dialog box opens.
4. Select the required component to add to the family table and click OK.
6. In the Family Table, click or Insert > Instance Row. Add as many
instances as you want. Each row is added after the current, highlighted row. You
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can also select a cell in the last row and press ENTER to add a row to the end of
the table.
7. Initially, all new cells contain asterisks (*), which means they take their value
from the generic model.
! IDENTIFICATION M0004
! --------------- BOLT1
! GENERIC Y
MOD11 *
MOD12 PIC
MOD13 BOLT2
3. Click Properties.
4. Select the component that you want to substitute with an instance and click .
The Family Tree dialog box opens.
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5. Select an instance with which you wish to substitute the component and click OK.
Alternatively, after you click New to create a new simplified representation, you can,
1. Click Edit > Redefine. The EDIT: REP dialog box opens.
5. Select an instance with which you wish to substitute the component and click OK.
Alternatively, you can also substitute an instance using the following method:
1. Select the component in the model tree for which instances exist in the family
table.
2. Click View > Substitute > Family Table. The Family Tree dialog box opens.
3. Select the instance with which you want to substitute the component and click
OK. The selected component is substituted with the new instance in a simplified
representation.
2. Select a reference model from the current assembly in the collector and click
3. Select the reference model, right-click, and click Edit Definition. The dashboard
for Merge or Inheritance appears.
4. Right-click in the collector and click Replace. The Family Tree dialog box
opens.
5. Select the instance with which you want to replace the referenced part and click
2. Select the component that you want to replace with an instance from its family
table in the Select Current Component(s) box.
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Note: You can select multiple components to be replaced with the new
component or instances.
3. Select the instance that you want to replace the component with from its family
table in the Select New Component box. The Family Tree dialog box opens.
4. If you have replaced a component earlier, the Last Used check box becomes
available. A list of previously used new components is available only for the
current session. Select a previously used new component in the Select New
Component box.
5. Select the required family table instance and click OK. The model is regenerated
and the selected component is replaced with the family table instance.
2. Select the cell that contains the model you want to replace.
5. Select a model. Its name appears in the selected cell of the Family Table.
2. In the Family Table dialog box, click Tools > Switch External References to
Instances.
3. The system analyzes all table-driven assembly members to identify those which
have references to the generic assembly. The Update References dialog box
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opens. The components which have external references will be listed and those
references will be proposed as new instances.
2. The system analyzes all the table-driven assembly members to identify those
which have references to the generic assembly. It finds that component B has a
reference. The Update References dialog box opens and suggests adding
instances B01 through B05 to component B.
3. Click OK. The system automatically adds a column titled Reference Model into the
Family Table for component B and populates the five new instances.
2. Make sure that the other assembly members have the appropriate global
declarations.
2. Select the cell that contains the model you want to replace.
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5. Select a model. Its name appears in the selected cell of the Family Table.
3. Define which components should be replaced in the assembly instance and which
assembly references should be updated to its context.
4. Click OK. The component will automatically be updated in Family Tables of all
affected models, and update external references upon the retrieval of the
instance.
Mirroring Assemblies
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By default, all the components of the source assembly are included in the mirrored
assembly and are given a default name. You can define a renaming convention and
change the names of the source components to fit your needs. The default renaming
convention is the old name appended with a default suffix. You can change the suffix
and apply it to selected components, and create a template for other renaming
conventions.
Note: When mirroring assemblies, plane selection is not required. Assembly mirrors
are automatically performed about the XY plane.
To Mirror an Assembly
1. Retrieve an assembly.
2. Click File > Mirror Assembly. The Mirror Assembly dialog box opens.
4. Enter a name for the mirrored assembly in the New Name box and click OK.
The Mirror Assembly Components dialog box opens. Rename target
components as follows:
Note: To save the mirrored assembly, click File > Save or the object will be
discarded when Pro/ENGINEER is closed.
Skeleton Models
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• 3D space claims
Individual skeleton models can be used to build the components from the bottom up.
This method ensures a robust design with the design information communicated
smoothly throughout the assembly.
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• Skeleton models can maintain their own family tables. This means that
assemblies can maintain different skeleton instances across a family table.
Skeleton models do not show up in the BOM unless you specifically include them
(Info > Bill of Materials). They do not contribute to mass or surface properties.
They can be displayed in drawing views and can be included during the creation and
manipulation of simplified representations and external shrinkwrap features.
Skeleton parts and motion skeletons are placed in the Model Tree before components
with solid geometry. Because the functional characteristics of skeletons are different
from other components, they are identified in the Model Tree and Mechanism Design
Model Tree by:
• —Motion skeletons
Note: Skeleton models created prior to Release 20.0 are blue by default. This
color cannot be changed. Starting with Release 20.0, a component color is set
only to the model, not to the component. You can create a user-defined color to
display new skeleton models.
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skeleton can contain all necessary placement definitions for its components.
Components are assembled relative to the skeleton to ensure there is no inter-
component dependency for placement references.
Skeleton models, like regular components, can be replaced by both family table
instances and other skeleton parts. When you replace a skeleton part By Copy, the
copied part becomes a skeleton part as well. When a regular part or component is
replaced using By Copy, the new copy can be made a skeleton. A skeleton is
necessary when the copied component is the first assembly feature and is placed by
default.
Because a standard skeleton behaves differently from regular parts, it is not affected
by assembly level features. Assembly features such as cuts and holes do not
intersect skeleton model geometry. If you want to intersect a skeleton model with a
cut, right-click to select the skeleton model in the Model Tree and choose Activate
from the shortcut menu. Create the cut or hole local to the skeleton model.
Pro/REPORT recognizes skeleton models as a type of assembly member
(asm.mbr.type), so they can be filtered accordingly. You can use skeleton models in
a report to obtain additional information about the model, as well as to obtain a
name of an indexed drawing.
With a skeleton model, you can create references between components in a
subassembly as well as create references to the skeleton model itself, with the
following restrictions:
• A part that references a skeleton model only informs Pro/PDM that it references
the assembly, not the skeleton model.
3. Select Skeleton Model from the Type list and Standard from the Sub-type
list.
o Copy From Existing—Copy the skeleton part from an existing part. Click
Browse to select the part to copy.
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6. Click OK.
7. If you used one of the first two creation methods, right-click the new skeleton
part and choose Activate from the shortcut menu.
3. Select Skeleton Model from the Type list and Motion from the Sub-type list.
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6. Click OK.
2. Click or Insert > Model Datum > Coordinate System. The Coordinate
System dialog box opens.
5. Click OK.
6. Click or Insert > Model Datum > Datum Plane. The Datum Plane dialog
box opens.
7. Select references and an offset value if required. It is good practice to use the
newly created coordinate system as the reference.
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9. Click OK.
11. Click or Insert > Model Datum > Sketch to enter Sketcher.
2. In the Model Tree, right-click the newly created, or an existing motion skeleton,
and choose Activate from the shortcut menu.
4. Click or Insert > Component > Create. The Component Create dialog
box opens.
5. Select Skeleton Model from the Type list and Body from the Sub-type list.
9. Select one or more chains in the motion skeleton to define the part geometry.
Note: For more information on chains, search the Fundamentals functional area
of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
11. Click More to expand the dialog box to select Surface Sets and Misc Refs. The
Misc Refs collector will contain motion axis and datum plane references after the
body is created.
Note: For more information on surface sets, search the Fundamentals functional
area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
13. Click the Use connections in placement definition check box and click
Update. Connection definitions appear in the table. There are no connection
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definitions for the first body created. It is created with a default constraint as a
ground body.
14. To change the type of connection, click the relevant cell in the table and select a
different connection from the list.
15. Check the Invoke component placement dialog check box to edit the
placement definition in the Component Placement dashboard.
16. Click .
• Source part color—Applies the source part or skeleton (whether or not you have
defined a configuration color) when you create a skeleton by copying from a part
or skeleton with a user-defined color.
When you assemble an existing skeleton model, its color does not change to a new
one set by your configuration option. The skeleton already has a color, and the
model is already referenced.
Note: Once a display color is set, you can override it by changing the color of the
skeleton model.
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Data Sharing
Shrinkwrap Features
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
Note: All dashboard elements are optional. You can automatically create a
Shrinkwrap feature containing default shrinkwrap information by clicking .
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o Level—Enter a value (1–10) for the shrinkwrap quality level. The default
setting is 1. The higher the quality, the higher the processing time.
o Auto Hole Filling—Fill all holes or cuts that intersect a single surface.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
o Specify how the system handles the component subset. Click One-by-one
to consider components or By Envelope to consider existing envelopes
instead. When the One-by-one option is selected, you can choose to
ignore or consider selected components.
Note: Use the Search Tool dialog box (Edit > Find) to select items by feature,
attribute, and so forth.
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Shrinkwrap Associativity
Shrinkwrap features are associative and automatically update to reflect changes in
the parent copied surfaces. Shrinkwrap features are updated when components have
been added or removed. You can control the dependency of the Shrinkwrap feature
on the surfaces it references. The independent state is useful if you wish to avoid
unwanted regeneration cycles.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
3. Click . The Placement dialog box opens. Set the following options:
o Click Default to position the Shrinkwrap feature in the current model using
default internal coordinate systems.
o Click Coord Sys to position the Shrinkwrap feature aligned to local and
external coordinate systems.
Note: A coordinate system can be created on the fly. If the reference model is an
assembly, the coordinate system must be a feature of the top-level assembly (no
part-level or subassembly-level coordinate systems are allowed).
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Note: Click to return to the Placement dialog box and change placement
references.
• A part
• An empty component
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
o Include Datums
4. Click Details to view or edit defined surface sets. The Surface Sets dialog box
opens.
Note: To insert a rule-based surface set, click Add, select a surface, and define a
rule.
6. Click OK.
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2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
4. Click Details to view the surface sets and datum list. The References dialog box
opens.
5. Click OK.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Shrinkwrap. The Shrinkwrap dashboard appears
with the top-level assembly as the reference model.
o Click Dependent (if the check box is active) to break a dependency. The
relationship between the current feature and the original geometry is
temporarily suspended. If the original part changes, the current feature
does not change.
Merge Features
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1. Source part
2. Target part
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The Through All hole and cut that were copied do not extend through the original
surfaces of Part A. Whenever a solid portion of one part intersects with a void portion
of another part (for example, a hole or cut), these areas are automatically filled.
However, if you now create a Through All hole in the new Part A, it penetrates all
features, regardless of origin. You can merge merged parts with other parts, creating
multiple subpart relationships.
3. Align
4. Mate
5. Merged part
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can replace the reference model by selecting a different
part from the Model Tree or graphics window.
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Note: You can copy datums only if the Dependent option is active. If the
feature is independent, no datums are copied. Datums may be refited with
existing geometry only.
Merge Restrictions
The source part cannot be one of the following parts:
• An assembly datum plane
• A subassembly
• An instance of a generic part (copy the part instance to another name and use
the copy)
• A sheetmetal part
• A subassembly
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• After removing material, delete or suppress the source part to view the merge
part.
• If you place the target part into the assembly using a Coord Sys placement
constraint, all the assembly coordinate system references used for placement
must belong to the source part.
• If you assemble a component that you have cut out to assembly datum planes,
the system creates it without offset dimensions for component placement.
2. Choose Default from the Constraints Type list to place the external merge
feature in the default location or place it in a different location using a set of
constraints.
4. Use the Options and Properties slide-up panels to define external merge
feature properties.
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3. Select the parts where the Merge feature will be placed and click OK.
5. For each iteration of steps 2 and 3, the OPTIONS menu appears. Choose the
options for that specific combination of parts.
o Copy—Copy all the features and relations of the reference part into the
Merge feature.
6. Choose Done from the OPTIONS menu, and Done from the Component menu.
The Merge feature appears in the Model Tree.
Follow the procedure below to edit the dimensions of a source part by changing the
dimensions of a Merge feature that was created by reference.
1. In the Model Tree, right-click the created Merge feature, and select Edit from the
shortcut menu.
4. Edit dimensions as required. The dimensions are updated in both the Merge
feature and the source part.
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• If a reference part has been deleted or renamed, or the part does not exist in the
current directory, the merged part is retrieved but is not regenerated. (If you
attempted and failed to regenerate, choose Quick Fix from the FIX MODEL
menu. Then click Suppress from the QUICK FIX menu to suppress the
corresponding merge part.) To resolve the situation, locate and restore the
referenced part.
• If a merged part is active in the current session, you can rename the referenced
parts by clicking File > Rename. The merged part updates its references. You
cannot delete the referenced parts from memory.
• The system copies cosmetic feature geometry in the target part to the source
part.
• Surface features that are outside a model show up in the model when a cutout
operation is performed on components in an assembly.
When you merge using the Copy command in the OPTIONS menu, you can modify
all features of the merged part. The following rules apply:
• Except for placement references, you cannot reference features within a merged
part to features outside that part. Therefore, when you modify the scheme of a
merged part, only those features within one merge member are displayed in the
window.
• The system adds the features of the target part (first selection) to the end of the
feature list of the source part (second selection). As a result, when you set a
feature of the target part as read-only, all the features of the source part become
read-only as well.
• Features that have been merged using Copy cannot reference features that are
outside of the merge group. If you try to merge a component with a part that has
an imported feature, the Copy command is dimmed in the OPTIONS menu.
• If the first feature of a merge part is a user-defined feature or the result of using
Copy in the Adv Comp Utl menu, the system automatically incorporates all
associated features into the merge part.
When you merge by reference, the No Datums and Copy Datums commands are
available in the OPTIONS menu. You cannot modify included datums. When you
cutout by reference, the system excludes datums. When you choose No Datums,
the system excludes only datum planes from the merge. It merges datum axes,
datum points, and coordinate systems.
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When you merge using Copy, the system always copies datums, and they are added
to the Merge feature.
Inheritance Features
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
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• The ability to control whether notes from the reference model are copied.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
6. Select a feature of the Inheritance model. The dimensions of the selected feature
appear in the model window.
7. Select a feature dimension. The dimensions are listed in the Varied Items dialog
box.
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9. To remove a dimension, select it from the list and click . To add dimensions,
click and select other features of the inheritance model.
Note: To redefine the varied dimension, right-click the Inheritance feature in the
Model Tree, and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
4. Select a dimension from the Varied Items list, then select one of the following
value limits from the New Dim Bound list:
o Middle—Sets the dimension value to the nominal value plus the mean of
the upper and lower tolerance values.
Note: If the New Dim Bound column does not appear in the Varied Items
dialog box click, and add it.
5. Click OK.
Note: To redefine the varied dimension boundary, right-click the Inheritance feature
in the Model Tree, and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
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selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
6. Click the Features tab and select a feature of the Inheritance model. The
selected feature is highlighted in the model and added to the features list in the
Varied Items dialog box.
7. To remove a dimension, select it from the list and click . To add dimensions,
click and select other features of the Inheritance model.
8. To suppress, resume, or erase a feature, select a feature from the list and choose
one of the following value limits from the New Status list:
o Resumed (default)
o Suppressed
o Erased
9. Click OK.
Note: To redefine the varied feature, right-click the Inheritance feature in the Model
Tree, and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
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7. Select the reference entity within the Inheritance feature that you want to
replace. Selection is limited to Inheritance feature subfeatures.
8. Select the new reference either inside or outside the Inheritance feature. (The
new reference replaces the previous reference.) The replacement reference must
be the same entity type. The Sub-features definition dialog box opens.
Note: If varied references are listed and you want to make a change, click the
item under New Refs to redefine the varied reference item or click under Sub-
Feat to reroute the feature.
10. Click to select and then add one subfeature at a time, or click All ref sub-
feats to add all subfeatures. You may want to add all subfeatures and then select
and click to delete subfeatures that you do not want to include.
11. Click OK to accept your subfeature selections and to close the Sub-feature
dialog box.
12. Click OK to close the Varied Items dialog box. The references are replaced.
Note:
• To replace all references for subfeature of an inheritance feature, right-click the
subfeature in the Model Tree, and choose Replace References from the
shortcut menu. The REROUTE REFS menu appears, from which you can change
the references, making them varied. The varied reference items are then added
to the Inheritance feature and the Inheritance feature regenerates.
• To change the way columns are displayed in the Varied Items dialog box, click
.
Varied References
When a model contains Inheritance features or other data sharing features, you may
need to reroute references contained in the Inheritance feature to entities outside
the Inheritance feature. In assemblies, references can be made to models other than
the target model, as long as the model is within the assembly.
The reference (original) part is listed in the reference collector on the Merge
dashboard while the target part (the one that is activated in the Model Tree) contains
the Inheritance features. When a reference is varied, the change is made only in the
target part, the original part does not change. To change the references of the
original part and the target model, remove the varied references and make the
change to the original part.
Note:
• You can replace references for all types of features except nested Inheritance
features and those features using surface or chain collection to define references.
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2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
6. Click the Parameters tab. The Select Parameter dialog box opens.
7. Select parameter information to define and click Insert Selected. The selected
parameter information appears in the Varied Items dialog box.
9. Click OK.
Note: To redefine the varied parameter, right-click the Inheritance feature in the
Model Tree, and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
7. Select or clear the Copy All check box to copy all or individual geometry
tolerances.
Note: Use the Copy column to define specific annotations. This column overrides
the default Copy All status.
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9. Enter a new value for the geometry tolerance in the New Value text box.
• 3D notes
• 3D symbols
• Surface finishes
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
7. Select or clear the Copy All check box to copy all or individual 3D note
Annotation Elements.
8. Select an inherited 3D note. The visibility status of the selected 3D note appears
in the Varied Items dialog box.
9. Change the visibility status of the 3D note in the New Visibility text box.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
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5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
7. Select or clear the Copy All check box to copy all or individual 3D symbol
Annotation Elements.
8. Select an inherited 3D symbol, and click the check box in the Copy column to
toggle the copying of the symbol.
9. Click OK.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
Merge/Inheritance. The Merge dashboard appears with the reference model
selected by default. You can select a different part as the reference model from
the Model Tree or in the graphics window.
5. Click Varied Items. The Varied Items dialog box and a separate window
showing the Inheritance model open.
7. Select or clear the Copy All check box to copy all or individual surface finishes.
8. Select a surface finish. Information about the selected surface finish appears in
the Varied Items dialog box.
2. Select a second part in the assembly as the reference model from which
geometry will be copied and click Insert > Shared Data >
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5. Choose Default from the Constraints Type list to place the external Inheritance
feature in the default location or place it in a different location using a set of
constraints.
7. Use the Options and Properties slide-up panels to define external Inheritance
feature properties.
2. In the Model Tree, right-click the inheritance feature and choose Edit Definition
from the shortcut menu. The Merge dashboard appears.
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3. Click then click Yes to convert the feature to an external Inheritance feature.
The EXTERNAL INHERITANCE dialog box opens.
4. Choose Default from the Constraints Type list to place the external Inheritance
feature in the default location, or define a set of constrains to position the feature
in a location of your choice.
6. Use the Options and Properties slide-up panels to define external Inheritance
feature properties.
3. Click Yes to confirm the prompt. If the selected item is a dimension the
Dimension Properties dialog box opens. If the feature is an Annotation
Element, an appropriate Annotation Element definition dialog box opens.
2. Select the Inheritance feature in the Model Tree, right-click, and choose Update
Inheritance from the shortcut menu. A warning is displayed before the update is
performed. Choose one of the following options to continue:
o Yes—Updates the Inheritance feature and sets all varied items and item
properties according to the base model. This option is disabled if the base
model is not in session.
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• Define interfaces.
• Reduce the possibility that designers will select incorrect geometry to create
driven models.
You can create a Publish Geometry feature in part, skeleton, and assembly models.
If you create a Publish Geometry feature in the context of an assembly, you must
select the reference geometry in the source model. For example, if the feature is
created in the top-level assembly, only top-level assembly surface features and
datums can be referenced. You cannot reference geometry from the components of
the assembly. Similarly, if a Publish Geometry feature is created in a part component
by activating that part within an assembly, all geometry references must be selected
from that part component.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Publish Geometry. The PUBLISHED
GEOMETRY dialog box opens.
3. Select the type of reference elements on which to base the feature and add
references.
Note: You can only select elements of the currently active assembly components
(assembly, subassembly or part). Unlike Copy Geometry and external Copy
Geometry features, Publish Geometry features cannot reference other Publish
Geometry features.
You must define at least one of the following reference elements to complete the
Publish Geometry feature:
4. Click Details to view, add, or remove a reference from the list of references.
6. Click OK. The Publish Geometry feature, identified by the visual indicator,
appears in the Model Tree.
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2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Copy Geometry. The Copy Geometry dashboard
appears.
3. Click (default).
4. Select a previously defined Publish Geometry feature from the Model Tree or
graphics window.
Note: Only one Publish Geometry reference can be included in the current
feature. If a Publish Geometry feature is selected for a reference, no other
geometry references are allowed, and vice versa.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data > Copy Geometry. The Copy Geometry dashboard
appears.
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4. To define the Copy Geometry feature, click References, select the reference
type, and define the references. Define at least one element:
Note: Click Details to view, add, or remove a reference from the list.
Note: Copy options are available only when the Copy Geometry feature is
defined by a surface set. These options are disabled when the reference model is
a Published Geometry feature.
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surfaces collected, the resulting surfaces of the cut are also included in the Copy
Geometry feature.
• Copy quilts, vertices, and datum features, including planes, points, axes, and
coordinate systems, with the Copy Geometry feature.
Individual designers are, to a controllable degree, insulated from the work of others.
They can observe design progress by opening the top-level assembly with all of the
latest modifications.
In addition to using Copy Geometry features in skeleton models, you can also use
Copy Geometry features to communicate geometry to or from any part,
subassembly, or skeleton model. Propagation of top-level design intent while adding
appropriate system-specific information can be repeated on as many levels of the
assembly as desired. Ultimately, the appropriate references for the design of a single
part can be copied into that part and then handed off to a low-level designer for
component design relative to global references.
Rarely is there a good reason to copy geometry from a part to a skeleton. This
procedure is by definition not part of a true top-down methodology. However,
sometimes you must accommodate existing parts in a bottom-up fashion. This
technique can undermine the stability of a top-down design by introducing the
possibility of skeleton model failure due to missing or changed external references.
Circular references may also become a concern.
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assembly and all models along the path between the two components is avoided.
When a Copy Geometry feature is created in Part mode, it is automatically defined as
external. Source and target components must be relatively positioned, but are
independent of the assembly context.
When assembly components are assembled using the same coordinate system, you
can use the Coord Sys location option to copy geometry from one component to
another. When all the components are assembled, the copied geometry of the target
models is coincident to the referenced geometry of the external model.
Components can be deleted from the assembly without losing copied geometry
associativity of copied geometry (which happens with internal Copy Geometry
features when the target component model is deleted). In addition, none of the other
external Copy Geometry features that reference the component will fail.
Although the models are associative to each other through the external copy
geometry features, the components are completely independent. In other words,
associativity is not controlled by the assembly model.
An independent external Copy Geometry feature remains frozen in its original state,
whether or not its external reference model is in session and its geometry has been
updated. It does not fail when copied references are missing from the parent model.
If the external reference model is an assembly, all the geometric references must be
chosen from the same model. The first selection determines which model this will be.
If the first reference is selected from geometry (an assembly surface, datum, and so
forth) of the top-level assembly, all subsequent references must be from top-level
assembly geometry. If the first reference is chosen from an assembly component
model, all subsequent reference selections must be made from that model.
2. Select the Copy Geometry feature from the Model Tree, right-click, and choose
Edit Definition from the shortcut menu. The Copy Geometry dashboard
appears.
4. Choose one of the following options to specify the external placement reference
for the copied geometry:
o Default—Places the copied geometry in the current model using the default
location.
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5. Click OK.
• Reroute Copy Geometry features to a level higher in the assembly than the level
on which the feature was created.
• You select all references for a single Copy Geometry feature from the same
component.
• You can reference all Pro/ENGINEER geometry, existing Copy Geometry and
Publish Geometry features.
• When the parent component is not in session, the geometry copied by the Copy
Geometry feature remains frozen while the parent component is unavailable.
• You can control the behavior of Copy Geometry features when the parent
component is in session but some of the referenced entities are missing. When
parent geometry that was copied is missing (deleted or suppressed) a dependent
Copy Geometry feature fails regeneration. However, you can prevent copy
geometry features from failing when a reference is missing. If you set the
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• You can change the dependency of an individual Copy Geometry feature and
switch easily between dependency states using the Dependent option. Also use
the Dependent option to stop feature update for improved regeneration
performance.
• Copied reference information includes geometry, entity names, colors, line styles,
and layer information.
• Copy Geometry features create external dependencies and are not allowed in
start models.
• View parent information about a model that contains a Copy Geometry feature in
the Global Reference Viewer.
2. Right-click the Copy Geometry feature in the Model Tree and choose Edit
References from the shortcut menu. Click Yes at the prompt. The REROUTE
REFS menu appears.
Note: Only entities that belong to the publish geometry feature can be
selected.
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Annotation Propagation
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the Hidden Items layer in the target part. The Hide or Unhide display status is
propagated only when you create the Data Sharing feature. Redefining or
regenerating the source features does not impact the display status of the
propagated Annotation Element.
• The target model does not contain a layer with the same name.
then the layer name from the source model is propagated to the target model. The
newly created layer in the target model contains the Annotation Element from the
source model, and the Hide or Unhide display status of the layer is also propagated.
If the source model and the target model contain a layer with the same name, the
layer display status may not propagate. Consider the following scenario:
• The source model contains Annotation Element AE_1 on hidden layer,
LAYER_TEST.
AE_1 in the Data Sharing feature is placed in the target model layer, LAYER_TEST. If
there are no other items in LAYER_TEST of the target model, then the hidden display
status of the layer is propagated from the source. However, if other items do exist
on LAYER_TEST in the target model, the display status of LAYER_TEST in the target
model does not change.
2. Click Insert > Shared Data. Select a shared data element (Copy Geometry,
Shrinkwrap, or Merge/Inheritance). A corresponding dashboard appears.
3. Click References, then Edit in the Annotations area of the slide-up panel. The
Propagate annotation dialog box opens.
4. To copy all Annotation Elements, click the Copy All check box.
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5. To copy individual Annotation Elements, clear the Copy All check box and click
. Select individual Annotation Elements in the graphics window, Model Tree, or
search tool.
7. To propagate annotation planes automatically, click the Auto Include check box.
9. Click OK.
Layouts
Preparing Layouts
About Layouts
A layout is a nonparametric 2D sketch used as an engineering notebook to
conceptually document and annotate parts and assemblies. It maintains design
intent in a central location as solid models are developed. A sketch can be created at
the beginning of the design process, or a drawing from an assembly or part can be
imported into Layout mode.
Any IGES, DWG, or DXF file can be imported into a layout. By importing a drawing
you can use an existing design as a layout for the remaining design process. Layouts
are not precision-scaled drawings and are not associative with actual three-
dimensional (3D) geometry. Like drawings, layouts have a setup file, a format, and
one or more sheets.
Use a layout to:
• Develop basic assembly geometry as a 2D conceptual sketch.
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system regenerates all layouts, including those declared to subassemblies and parts,
and then regenerates the assembly itself. Regeneration of layouts first ensures that
references and driven parameters in the assembly are current. If you do not want
the layouts to be automatically regenerated, do not set the regen_layout_w_assem
configuration file option to no.
Select the number of the sheet you want to display from the Sheet List on
the Layout toolbar or enter a number.
To Reorder a Sheet
1. Click Edit > Move Sheet. The Move Sheet dialog box opens.
2. Select one of the options below to change the position of the current sheet:
To Remove a Sheet
Click Edit > Remove > Sheets. Enter the number of the sheet to be removed.
To Create a Layout
1. Click File > New > Layout and enter a name for the layout. The New Layout
dialog box opens.
2. Choose an option:
3. Click OK.
For more information on drawing templates, search the Detailed Drawings functional
area of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
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o Pick Pnt—Click in the layout window to select the start point. Drag the
mouse to draw the datum plane. Click a second time to select the end
point.
o Vertex—Click a vertex to select the start point, and then select a vertex or
a point on an entity as an end point.
o Rel Coords—Create a datum plane with a start point offset from the end
point of the previously created datum plane. Enter the X and Y offset
values. Choose one of the first three options above and select the end
point.
o Abs Coords—Enter the X and Y values for the start point's absolute
coordinates, and then select one of the following options to create the end
point:
3. At the prompt, enter a name for the datum plane. Press ENTER or click .
2. Choose one of the following options as the datum axis start point:
o Pick Pnt—Click in the layout window to select the start point. Drag the
mouse to draw the datum axis. Click once more to select the end point.
o Vertex—Click a vertex as the datum axis start point, and then select a
vertex or a point on an entity as an end point.
o Rel Coords—Create a datum axis with a start point that is offset from the
end point of the previously created datum axis. Enter the X and Y offset
values. Choose one of the first three options above and select the end
point.
o Abs Coords—Enter the X and Y values for the start point's absolute
coordinates, then select one of the following options to create the end
point:
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3. At the prompt, enter a name for the draft axis. Press ENTER or click .
1. Click or Insert > Model Datum > Point. Choose the point type. The
Get Point menu appears.
Note: For more information on datum point types search the Part functional area
of the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
o Vertex—Click a vertex.
o Rel Coords— Enter X and Y offset values to place a point relative to the
previous point.
3. At the prompt, enter a name for the point and press ENTER or click .
1. Click or Insert > Model Datum > Coordinate System. The Get Point
menu appears.
o Vertex—Click a vertex.
3. At the prompt, enter a name for the point and press ENTER or click .
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1. Datum plane
2. Datum axis
3. Balloon notes
2. Right-click and choose Delete from the shortcut menu or click Edit > Delete.
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2. Click Insert > Shared Data > From File. The Open dialog box opens.
Note: Imported geometry is not updated when the original file is updated. A layout
is nonparametric and does not maintain a link to the original file.
For more information on IGES files, search the Pro/ENGINEER Interface section of
the Data Exchange functional area in the Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
• Relations are not automatically reevaluated. To evaluate them click from the
Relations dialog box or regenerate the layout.
2. Click to create a new parameter. Accept the default name or rename the
parameter. You can change the type of parameter, the parameter value, and
whether the parameter is designated.
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For more information on parameters, search the Fundamentals functional area of the
Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
4. Enter a numeric value for the dimension. The dimension is displayed with its
symbolic name.
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2. Modify the desired properties and click OK. To restore changed values, click
Restore Values.
3. Click Table > Insert > Table. The Table Create menu appears with the Get
Point menu beneath it.
o Direction of rows:
o Direction of columns:
o Column width:
5. Choose the start point of the table from the Get Point menu:
o Vertex—Click a vertex.
7. Double-click a cell in the table. The Note Properties dialog box opens.
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2. Click Show > Where Used. Information appears about global dimensions,
datums, axes, and user-defined parameters that belong to a layout.
3. Select the name of the parameter in the graphics window, or choose Names and
enter the parameter name. An Information window lists all direct references to
the global entity and writes them to a file named parametername.txt in the
current working directory.
2. Click Local Parameters. The dialog box expands to include parameters created
in the layout.
4. Select a parameter from the list and click . The parameter is added
to the relation.
5. Enter an arithmetic symbol or use those to the left of the Relations box to create
the relations.
6. Click OK.
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2. Click Parameters > Param Table. The PARAM TABLE menu appears.
3. Click Add Param and choose the parameters from the list to be added to the
table.
4. Click Done.
5. To delete a parameter from the table, click Del Param, and then select the
parameter to be deleted from the list.
1. Click Parameters > Param Table from the Parameter dialog box. The Param
Table menu appears.
2. Click Edit in the Param Table menu. The Pro/Table dialog box appears.
3. Type in a new instance name and the instance values for the parameters in the
table. You can create as many instances as you want.
4. Click File > Exit to save the changes and return to the layout.
1. Click Parameters > Param Table from the Parameter dialog box. The Param
Table menu appears.
4. Click Done/Return. The values of the parameters in the Parameters dialog box
change to those of the instance selected.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Edit > Regenerate. The layout displays with the new parameter values.
1. Click Parameters > Param Table from the Parameter dialog box. The Param
Table menu appears.
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The following figure shows a Parameter Table created for the fan layout.
When you activate a different parameter set for the layout, you must regenerate the
layout for it to be visible in the parameter table in the layout sheet. In the figure
below, the parameter set has been changed to Floor_6_blades.
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The layout remains unchanged. A layout is not parametric and does not update
according to the parameter values.
Note: Parameters governed by a relation can be used in the Parameter Table.
Annotating Layouts
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o Offset—Creates the note with its position offset from a specified entity.
8. Type the note and press ENTER or click after each line of text. The text
appears, beginning at the point you selected.
9. To quit the notemaking process, press ENTER on an empty line. The Text
Symbol options appear. If required, enter a symbol as part of the note.
For more information on annotations, search the Fundamentals functional area of the
Pro/ENGINEER Help Center.
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The system substitutes the numeric value for ¶metername, which changes as the
associated part is modified.
Declaring Layouts
• After a layout has been declared, follow these guidelines to create a new
parameter:
You can access information about all declared datums, global dimensions, and the
layouts that they reference using the List Decl command in the Declare menu.
Pro/ENGINEER displays the information in an Information window and then writes it
to a file named refitem.txt in the current working directory. One of three
messages appears when the name of the model datum no longer corresponds to the
name of the layout datum:
• WARNING: 3D item has been deleted or suppressed. An axis or datum is no
longer present to match its counterpart in the layout.
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If a declared name in the model is inconsistent with its counterpart in the layout, use
the Undecl Name command in the Declare menu to rectify the problem.
4. Select the name of the layout to which you want to declare the current layout.
Note: Although the name of the current layout appears in the list, you cannot
declare a layout to itself. A warning message appears: Declaration is
circular. Similarly, you cannot declare two layouts to each other or make other
circular declarations.
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3. Click Declare Lay. A menu with a list of layouts active in the current session
appears.
4. Select the name of the layout to which you want to declare the model. The model
now references the layout.
6. Click Local Parameters. The dialog box expands to include parameters created
in the layout.
7. Create relations linking the parameters created in the layout to those of the
component.
8. Click OK.
9. Click or Edit > Regenerate and the new relations take effect.
• When declaring a layout to an assembly with a skeleton, you must confirm that
you want the system to declare the layout to the skeleton.
• When undeclaring a layout in an assembly with a skeleton, you must confirm that
you want the system to undeclare the layout in the skeleton as well.
• Use the DECLARE command in the SKEL SETUP menu to declare the skeleton
model to a layout. Activate the skeleton model in an assembly and select Edit >
Setup.
• The DECLARE menu allows you to declare layouts that were already declared to
the assembly but not the skeleton, or to exclusively declare layouts to the
skeleton.
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2. Click UnDeclr Lay. A list of layouts to which the model is declared appears.
• If you have used a reference axis or datum plane in a declaration, you cannot
delete it from a layout unless you delete the corresponding part entities and
undeclare the layout.
When you explicitly declare a datum, you select the part or assembly datum and
enter the name of its global reference. The datum then appears with a global name.
Explicit declarations are simple to use and easy to visualize but have two limitations.
You cannot:
• Have two datums on the same model with the same explicit declaration (two
datums with the same name).
• Have one datum with two different explicit declarations (one datum with two
names).
Use a table declaration to declare more than one datum in a component to create a
placement definition (for example, to assemble a bolt automatically into many holes
in a plate).
2. Click DeclareName.
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3. Select the axis, planar surface, or datum plane to declare. In Assembly mode,
use only assembly datum planes and axes.
4. If you select a plane, flip the orientation of the datum plane as necessary to
correspond with its orientation in the layout.
5. Enter the global datum name. The local datum is renamed appropriately.
6. Declarations are stored with the model. To change a datum declaration, select
the datum and choose UnDeclName from the DECLARE menu.
If you try to declare a datum that you have already declared to another datum, the
Redeclare menu displays the commands Replace and Quit. Choose Replace to
replace the existing declaration with the new one, or choose Quit to leave it as is.
You must declare the model to the layout before creating an explicit declaration.
• Individual datums with two different names (for example, to assemble parts into
a subassembly using a datum with one reference name and then to assemble the
subassembly into the main assembly using the same datum with a different
reference name).
Each line in the table corresponds to a single assembly instance. Each line must
contain all of the declarations used to automatically assemble that instance. Use the
following format for each line in the table:
local dtm ref #1 = global dtm ref # 1, local dtm ref #2 = global dtm
ref # 2, ...
Note: A negative sign (-) in front of a local datum reference indicates that the plane
will be assembled in its flipped state. Both global and model datum references can
appear in multiple lines of the table. All references must have unique global names.
A datum axis and a datum plane cannot be declared with the same name.
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5. Enter the declarations for each row of the table. Make sure that each row
contains a complete placement definition for the component.
6. Click Done/Return.
To Undeclare Datums
1. Click Edit > Declare. The DECLARE menu appears.
3. Select the datum to be undeclared. Its original name replaces the name of the
datum to which it was declared.
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The layout is declared to the bolt part, then the datum plane and axis are declared to
the corresponding axis and plane in the bolt.
The layout is declared to the flange part. Since all three holes will be used for
component placement and the same references are used to place each occurrence of
the bolt, a table declaration is used.
The axis for each hole in the flange is declared to the BOLT_AXIS datum axis while
the datum plane as the surface of the flange is declared for each hole. See the table
below for placement definitions for each hole in the flange.
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2. At the prompt, enter the name of a case study to open or enter a new name and
click or press ENTER. The ENTER menu appears.
3. Click Create.
4. At the prompt, enter a name for the new sketch. Sketcher opens.
5. When you have completed the sketch and have set the relations, save the sketch
and click Sketch > Done. You return to the layout.
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2. At the prompt, enter the name of a case study to open or enter a new name and
click or press ENTER. The ENTER menu appears.
Note: You cannot retrieve a case study with reference dimensions outside the
layout.
4. Select the case study and click Open. The case study opens.
3. Click OK when complete. Pro/ENGINEER copies the selected geometry into the
case study.
Note: After you have sketched the desired entities, dimension the geometry and
regenerate the case study.
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o Entity lengths, coordinate systems, and points are labeled as e1, e2, e3,
and so forth.
• You can write relations for procedures on entity lengths using the notation
elen(#). For example, to add the length of sides e1, e2, and e3, enter:
length=elen(1)+elen(2)+elen(3)
• You can write relations for procedures on the X and Y distance between the first
coordinate system sketched to another coordinate system or point using the
notation ecoord[x or y](#). For example, to compute hyp, the shortest distance
between the first coordinate system sketched and a point labeled e1, enter:
hyp=sqrt(ecoordx(1)*ecoordx(1)+ecoordy(1)* ecoordy(1))
In a layout, you can include free notes with embedded relation symbols from a case
study by using an ampersand (&) before the symbol. For example, you could include
a relation that would extract the value for length, previously defined in the case
study, and add it to the layout:
TOTAL LENGTH= &length
2. Click Local Parameters. The dialog box expands to include parameters created
in the layout.
3. Click .
4. Select parameters from the graphics window or enter parameter names to create
the relations and click OK.
3. To recalculate the relations in the case study, click Edit > Regenerate.
4. Select a dimension in the case study sketch. You are prompted to select a
dimension.
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5. Select the dimension and enter the name of the existing global dimension in the
layout.
Simplified Representations
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• Creating a cutout
2. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens to
the Simp Rep tab.
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3. Click Edit > Save. The Save Display Elements dialog box opens. Accept the
default name of the new simplified representation or enter a new one and click
OK. The new representation is added to the list of simplified representations in
the View Manager and is set to active.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
2. Click New. A default name for the simplified representation appears. Accept the
name or enter a new one. The EDIT dialog box opens.
3. Click to set up rule actions. The Rule Actions dialog box opens.
4. To add a rule, click . Use the Rep Action column to set a representation
action. To change the representation action, click within the column and select
one of the following options:
o Exclude
o Master Rep
o Geometry Rep
o Graphics Rep
o Assem Only
o Symbolic Only
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5. In the Rule Editor, click Options > Build Query. The query builder opens.
7. Click Add New to add the rule to the query builder. For a combination of several
rules use the logical operators Or and And.
8. Click OK.
Note: When an assembly is created, the Default representation and the Master
representation are identical. You can update the Default representation to create
a variation of the Master representation.
• Graphics representations contain only information for display so you can quickly
browse through a large assembly. Graphics representations cannot be modified
or referenced. The type of available graphic display depends on the
save_model_display configuration option setting:
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A simplified representation. All components except the piston subassembly and the
crankshaft are excluded.
Exclude
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Master Rep
Assembly Only
Geometry Only
Graphics Only
Symbolic Only
User Defined
Note: You can also click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens. Click Properties and make changes to the simplified
representation.
3. To save the changes, click . The View Manager dialog box opens to the
Simp Rep tab. Right-click the current representation and choose Save from the
shortcut menu, or click Edit > Save.
4. Click Close.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
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2. Select an assembly, and then click Open Rep. The Open Rep dialog box opens.
4. Click OK.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens to
the Simp Rep tab.
2. Right-click a simplified representation and choose Copy from the shortcut menu,
or click Edit > Copy.
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3. Accept the default name for the copied representation or enter a new one, and
then click OK. If the simplified representation includes user-defined definition
rules, the Copy Options dialog box opens.
Note: Simplified representation with definition rules can cause instability when
used in drawings. The contents of the representation can change as the assembly
changes.
5. Click OK.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
4. Click Close.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
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3. Click View > Representation > User Defined. The Select Rep dialog box
opens.
5. To save the change, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens.
6. Right-click the active representation and choose Save from the shortcut menu,
or click Edit > Save. The Save Display Elements dialog box opens.
2. Open the assembly and click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
4. Select a component for substitution and click . The Select Rep dialog box
opens.
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2. Right-click the constraint set in the navigation area of the Placement panel or in
the graphics window and choose Retrieve Refs from the shortcut menu. The
Confirmation menu manager appears.
4. Edit the placement definition of the component and click . The component
excluded from the simplified representation disappears from the graphics
window.
5. Click File > Erase > Not Displayed to remove retrieved components from
memory.
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• Retrieve and erase components that you need to reference temporarily while you
are working.
3. Select a task from the task list to define its setting in On-Demand mode:
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Note:
4. Click OK.
3. Click OK.
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• The reference assembly need not be in session when working with external
simplified representations.
• Components from any level of the reference assembly can be included in the
external simplified representation. The reference assembly and intermediate
subassemblies can be excluded even if low-level components are included.
• When a model contains substituted components, the top level assembly is always
included in the external simplified representation.
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• File > New—Select the reference assembly model during the assembly creation
process.
1. In an open assembly, click or View > View Manager. The View Manager
dialog box opens to the Simp Rep tab.
2. Select a simplified representation and click Edit > Copy as External. The
Create External Simplified Rep dialog box opens.
3. Enter a name for the external simplified representation and select one of the
following options:
4. Click OK.
2. Click Assembly and select Ext. Simp. Rep from the Sub-type list.
3. Enter a name for the external simplified representation or accept the default and
click OK. The Open dialog box opens.
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default Master Rep appears next to the assembly name. Use the Include
and Exclude tabs to specify components for inclusion or exclusion from the
external simplified representation. Click when complete.
o Open Rep—Opens the Open Rep dialog box. Choose one of the following
operations:
Click Create New Simplified Rep and click OK. Enter a name for the
simplified representation at the prompt or accept the default name and click
. Define the simplified representation and click when complete.
3. Select External Simplified Representation in the Type box and click OK. The
copy is saved as an external simplified representation of the currently active
simplified representation.
2. Click Edit > Set For Ref. Only to use components as references.
Note: To make the component modifiable again, select the top-level component and
click Edit > Modifiable.
2. Select the top-level component in the Model Tree and click Edit > Definition.
The Open Rep dialog box opens.
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4. Use the Include and Exclude tabs to specify components for inclusion or
exclusion from the external simplified representation.
2. Click Edit > Update Representation. The Open Rep dialog box opens.
3. Select a representation type and click OK. The external simplified representation
is updated.
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2. Click or Insert > Component > Assemble. The Open dialog box opens.
3. Select a component that contains a symbol. The Open Rep dialog box opens.
4. Select Symbolic Rep and then click OK. The Symbolic Component dialog box
opens to the Attachment tab.
5. Specify the Origin, Annotation Plane, and Orientation Reference to place the
symbol.
6. Click the Symbol tab and select a symbol from the Symbol Instance list. The
selected symbol is displayed in the graphics window.
7. Click OK.
Note: To edit the symbol properties, right-click the lightweight component in the
Model Tree and choose Edit Definition from the shortcut menu.
Shrinkwrap Models
• Provide an accurate external representation of the model for use by other design
teams, suppliers, or customers, without disclosing the model's internal design.
Others can visualize the product and conduct space claim studies, form and fit
studies, interference checking, and so forth, while you protect trade secrets,
patented designs, and other proprietary information.
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Surface Subset
A surface subset Shrinkwrap model is a single part, composed of a collection of
surfaces and datum features, that represents the external surfaces of a reference
model. You can adjust the quality level of the collected surfaces. Applying a higher
quality increases the amount of surfaces to be included in the Shrinkwrap. You can
exclude surfaces to reduce the model size or add surfaces to get a better
representation of the source model.
The surface subset is the fastest Shrinkwrap method and results in the smallest
model size, one comprised of surfaces only. Each surface collected from the exterior
of the original design is copied into the Shrinkwrap model. Colors are retained.
Creating a surface subset Shrinkwrap model produces external Copy Geometry
features.
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The following figure shows a full-color surface subset Shrinkwrap model at level 5
quality.
Faceted Solid
A faceted solid Shrinkwrap model provides an approximate visual representation of
the original model. It is a single solid model, representing all external surfaces, with
additional surfaces added to bridge gaps and complete the solid. You can adjust the
quality level of the collected surfaces. Higher quality increases both the accuracy of
the representation and the size of the output file. No colors are retained. Creating a
faceted solid Shrinkwrap model produces an external Copy Geometry feature and a
protrusion.
The following figure shows a faceted shaded Shrinkwrap model at level 5 quality.
Merged Solid
A merged solid Shrinkwrap model provides a very accurate solid representation of
the original model. The system merges external components from the reference
assembly model into a single part representing the solid geometry in all collected
components. The system creates the exported Shrinkwrap model by merging and
copying components from the reference model into the Shrinkwrap model. When a
merged solid Shrinkwrap model has an enclosed cavity, the system fills it with solid
geometry. Colors are retained. Creating a merged solid Shrinkwrap model produces
an external Copy Geometry feature and a protrusion.
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The following figure shows a merged shaded Shrinkwrap model at level 5 quality.
2. Click File > Save a Copy. The Save a Copy dialog box opens. In the Type list,
click Shrinkwrap.
3. Enter a name for the Shrinkwrap model in the New Name box, or accept the
default name and click OK. The Create Shrinkwrap dialog box opens.
4. In the Creation Method area of the dialog box, click Surface Subset.
5. In the Quality area of the dialog box, specify the Shrinkwrap model quality level.
The quality level ranges from 0–10 (the default value is 1). When zero is selected
the system does not collect any surfaces. Instead, you can select surfaces
manually using the Select Surfaces collection button.
6. In the Special Handling area of the dialog box, select or clear any of the following
options:
o Fill holes (selected by default)—Fills all holes or cuts that intersect a single
surface in the Shrinkwrap model.
7. In the Include Datum References area of the dialog box, select additional
geometry to be copied into the Shrinkwrap model. Click Select Datums and
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select datum planes, points, curves, axes, and coordinate system references to
be included or removed from the Shrinkwrap model.
Note: If you change the Shrinkwrap creation method after specifying some
references, these references are no longer displayed. If you switch back to
surface subset creation, the references are displayed again.
8. In the Preview Options area of the dialog box, select one of the following options
to view selected surfaces:
o Real Colors (default)—Displays only selected surfaces, that is, the surfaces
that will be copied into the Shrinkwrap model in their original colors. You
can select invisible (unselected) surfaces manually using Select
Surfaces. During the next preview, these surfaces are displayed in their
original colors. This method provides faster preview display.
9. In the Additional Surfaces area of the dialog box, select individual surfaces to be
included in the Shrinkwrap model. Click Select Surfaces and select surfaces
to add to or remove from the Shrinkwrap model.
Note: If you change the quality level after selecting surfaces, all surfaces that
you manually selected previously remain selected.
10. In the Output File Name area of the dialog box, specify the Shrinkwrap model
name. The system assigns the Shrinkwrap model a default file name based on
the name of the source model. Accept the default file name in the format
model_name_sw0001 or enter a new name. The system automatically appends the
extension .prt to the file name. When the source model is a simplified
representation of an assembly, the default name of the Shrinkwrap model is
simplifiedrepname_sw.prt.
11. Click Preview to display the current reference selections and to obtain graphical
and textual feedback about the subset of information that will be captured in the
Shrinkwrap model. The model is displayed according to the preview method
selected, Real Colors or Gray-Orange. You can zoom in and select unselected
surfaces to include, or you can undo selections using Select Surfaces.
Note: If you click View > Repaint during preview, the display of selected
surfaces disappears from the source model, leaving it on display in its original
colors. When you click Preview again, the selected surfaces are again displayed.
12. Click OK. The system copies a subset of information from the source model to
create a Shrinkwrap model and saves the new part to the working directory. The
subset consists of selected surfaces from the source model, mass properties and
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2. Click File > Save a Copy. The Save a Copy dialog box opens. In the Type list
box, click Shrinkwrap.
3. Enter a name for the Shrinkwrap model in the New Name box, or accept the
default name and click OK. The Create Shrinkwrap dialog box opens.
4. In the Creation Method area of the dialog box, select Faceted Solid.
Note: The Quality, Special Handling, and Include Datum References areas of the
dialog box are set in the same way as when a surface subset Shrinkwrap model is
created.
5. In the Faceted Solid Options area of the dialog box, you can select Invert
Triangle Pairs.
6. In the Output Format area of the dialog box, specify one of the following output
file formats:
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The system automatically appends the extension .stl to STL file names and the
extension .wrl to VRML file names. Select or clear Use default template
(selected by default for Part and LW Part file formats; not available for STL or
VRML file formats).
7. Click OK. The system computes faceted solid geometry to create a solid
Shrinkwrap model, and saves the new part. The subset consists of faceted solid
geometry from the source model, along with mass properties and additional
geometry according to your specifications. The Create Shrinkwrap dialog box
remains open and the source model remains in session as the current object.
8. Click Close.
2. Click File > Save a Copy. The Save a Copy dialog box opens. In the Type list,
click Shrinkwrap.
3. Enter a name for the Shrinkwrap model in the New Name box, or accept the
default name and click OK. The Create Shrinkwrap dialog box opens.
4. In the Creation Method area of the dialog box, select Merged Solid.
Note: The Quality, Special Handling, and Include Datum References areas of the
dialog box are set in the same way as when a surface subset Shrinkwrap model is
created.
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5. In the Include Datum References area of the dialog box, you can select additional
geometry to be included in the Shrinkwrap model. Click Select Datums and
select datum planes, points, curves, axes, and coordinate system references to
be included or removed from the Shrinkwrap model.
Note: If you change the Shrinkwrap creation method after specifying some
references, these references are no longer displayed. If you switch back to
merged solid creation, the references are again displayed.
6. In the Additional Components area of the dialog box, you can select individual
components to contribute to the Shrinkwrap model. Click Select
Components and select components to be added or removed from those
collected by the system or selected manually using Select Components.
7. In the Output File Name area of the dialog box, specify the Shrinkwrap model
name. Select or clear Use default template (selected by default).
8. Click Preview to obtain graphical and textual feedback about the subset of
information that will be captured in the Shrinkwrap model. The message window
provides information about how many components were included and how many
excluded from the representation, in the format "X of Y components have been
selected." You can add or remove components using Select Components.
9. Click OK. The system copies a subset of information from the source model to
create a Shrinkwrap model and saves the new part to disk. The subset consists of
solid geometry collected from all collected components from the source model,
along with mass properties and additional geometry according to your
specifications. The Create Shrinkwrap dialog box remains open and the source
model remains in session as the current object.
Display Styles
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2. Click Style.
4. Accept the default style name or type a new name and press ENTER. The Edit:
Style dialog box opens.
o Click the By Display tab and select a subassembly. Click Show and select
a display style for the subassembly.
6. Click .
7. Click Close.
2. Click View > Display Style and select a display style from the list. The
component display style changes.
Envelopes
About Envelopes
An envelope is a part created to represent a predetermined set of components (parts
and subassemblies) in an assembly. The envelope uses simple geometry to reduce
memory usage and looks similar to the components it represents.
Envelopes must have both geometry and a nonempty list of reference components.
They can be displayed in the Model Tree along with information concerning the part
geometry and the list of components. Although envelopes are stored as part files
with a .prt extension, you can only use them as envelopes in the assembly in which
they were created. Envelope parts do not appear in the Assembly BOM.
To use an envelope part, you must explicitly include it in a simplified representation.
Substitute it for the components that it represents. An envelope can be used in
multiple simplified representations. Use the By Envelope option in the View
Manager dialog box to include an envelope in a simplified representation and
automatically substitute its reference components. Components represented by the
envelope can still be explicitly included, excluded, or substituted.
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If the assembly contains closed quilt zones, you can select components to be
included in the envelope by selecting a zone.
Note: You can create an envelope while a simplified representation is active, without
the master representation being in session. Envelopes can be created using
Shrinkwrap methods only when the master representation is in session.
To Create an Envelope
1. Click or Insert > Component > Create. The Component Create dialog
box opens.
Note: By Zone is only available if the assembly contains a closed quilt zone.
5. Select the components that the envelope will replace from the graphics window
or the Model Tree.
6. Click the Show only included components in the Model Tree check box to
remove all other components from the Model Tree.
7. Click the Include box to remove the include/exclude toggle when selecting
components in the Model Tree or graphics window.
8. Click the Exclude box and select components to be excluded from the envelope.
Selected components will not be included in the envelope.
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12. Click OK. You return to the Envelope Definition dialog box.
1. Click or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens. Simp
Rep is selected by default.
3. Click Edit > Redefine to set definition rules. The Edit dialog box opens.
6. Click .
To Modify an Envelope
1. Click View > Envelope Manager. The Envelope Manager dialog box opens.
3. Click Edit. The Menu Manager opens prompting you to confirm. You can also
right-click the envelope in the Model Tree and select Edit Definition from the
shortcut menu. The Envelope Definition dialog box opens.
Note: When you modify the list of components in an envelope, all simplified
representations using that envelope are also updated to reflect the changes.
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6. Use the Insert and Edit menus or the Feature toolbar to create new features for
the envelope part.
7. Click OK.
To Delete an Envelope
1. Click View > Envelope Manager. The Envelope Manager dialog box opens.
Note: When envelopes are displayed in the Model Tree, you can right-click the
envelope in the Model Tree and choose Delete from the shortcut menu.
Note: Envelopes placed in the assembly using predefined constraint sets appear
in the Mechanism Design Tree Bodies folder.
About Program
Each model in Pro/ENGINEER contains a listing of major design steps and parameters
that can be edited when new design specifications arise.
To enter the Pro/PROGRAM environment, click Tools > Program.
For more information search the Fundamentals functional area of the Pro/ENGINEER
Help Center.
320
Assembly
Glossary
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
Term Definition
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Assembly
Term Definition
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Term Definition
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Index
A defining 57
annotations creating 27
editing 119 C
B freezing 107
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
user interface 34 D
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Index
E flexible components
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
editing 96 M
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Index
externalizing 245 P
N patterns
O Pro/PROGRAM 320
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
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Index
editing 123 U
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Assembly - Help Topic Collection
placing 71 Z
V clipping 176
View Manager 171, 174, 175, 180, 183 creating 176, 177, 180
332