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Assembly Modeling

Pro Engineer assembly modeling

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
235 views222 pages

Assembly Modeling

Pro Engineer assembly modeling

Uploaded by

jdfdferer
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pro/ENGINEER

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Parametric Technology Corporation

DOC-U0057-EN-200

COPYRIGHT 1998 PARAMETRIC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This document may not be copied, reproduced, disclosed, transferred, or reduced to any form, including electronic medium or machine readable form, or transmitted or publicly performed by any means, electronic or otherwise, unless Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) consents in writing in advance. Use of the software has been provided under a Software License Agreement. Information described in this manual is furnished for information only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by PTC. PTC assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual. The software contains valuable trade secrets and proprietary information and is protected by United States copyright laws and copyright laws of other countries. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF
SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION CAN RESULT IN CIVIL DAMAGES AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Parametric Technology Corporation, Pro/ENGINEER, and Pro/MECHANICA are registered trademarks; and Pro/ANIMATE, Pro/CABLING, Pro/CASTING, Pro/CDT, Pro/COMPOSITE, Pro/CMM, Pro/DATA for PDGS, Pro/DESIGNER, Pro/DETAIL, Pro/DIAGRAM, Pro/DIEFACE, Pro/DRAW, Pro/ECAD, Pro/ENGINE, Pro/ENGINEER BASIC LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER CONNECTOR LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER ELECTRICAL SYMBOL LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER HUMAN FACTORS LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER MOLD BASE LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER PIPE FITTING LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER PIPING AND HEATING SYMBOL LIBRARY, Pro/ENGINEER TOOLING LIBRARY, Pro/PHOTORENDER TEXTURE LIBRARY, Pro/FEATURE, Pro/FEATURE for BODY ENGINEERING, Pro/FEM, Pro/FEM-POST, Pro/FLY-THROUGH, Pro/HARNESS-MFG, Pro/INTERFACE for CATIA, Pro/INTERFACE for STEP, Pro/INTRALINK, Pro/INTRALINK Web Client, Pro/LANGUAGE, Pro/LEGACY, Pro/LIBRARYACCESS, Pro/MESH, Pro/NC-ADV, Pro/NC-MIL, Pro/NC-TURN, Pro/NC-SHTMTL, Pro/NC-WEDM, Pro/Model.View, Pro/MOLDESIGN, Pro/NCPOST, Pro/NC-CHECK, Pro/NETWORK ANIMATOR, Pro/NOTEBOOK, Pro/PERSPECTA-SKETCH, Pro/PHOTORENDER, Pro/PIPING, Pro/PLOT, Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES, Pro/REPORT, Pro/REVIEW, Pro/SCAN-TOOLS, Pro/SHEETMETAL, Pro/SURFACE, Pro/TOOLKIT, Pro/3DPAINT, Pro/VERIFY, Pro/Web.Link, Pro/Web-Publish, and Pro/WELDING are trademarks of Parametric Technology Corporation in the United States and in other countries. All other company and product names referenced herein have trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND This Commercial Computer Software and Documentation, pursuant to FAR 12.212(a)-(b) or DFARS 22.7202-1(a) and 227.7202-3(a), is provided to the Government under a limited commercial license only. For procurements predating the above clauses, use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to the restrictions set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software Clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights at FAR 52.227-19, as applicable. Parametric Technology Corporation, 128 Technology Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453-8938. Printed in U.S.A.

Revised 6/98

Contents

About This Guide

Purpose ....................................................................................................................... ii Audience...................................................................................................................... ii Contents ...................................................................................................................... ii Prerequisites................................................................................................................ ii Documentation............................................................................................................ iii Conventions ......................................................................................................... iii Software Product Concerns and Documentation Comments ..................................... iv

Chapter 1: Starting Out in Assembly Mode


Assembly Functions................................................................................................. Simplified Representations ............................................................................... Interchange Assemblies .................................................................................... The Design Manager......................................................................................... Pro/NOTEBOOK ............................................................................................... Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES ..................................................................... Working with Assemblies.........................................................................................

1-1
1-2 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3

Chapter 2: Assembling Components


Overview.................................................................................................................. Initial Procedures ..................................................................................................... Datum Planes as the First Features.................................................................. Placing a Base Component............................................................................... Creating a Base Component ............................................................................. Assembling a Component Parametrically................................................................ The Component Placement Dialog Box ............................................................ Placement Constraint Types .............................................................................

2-1
2-2 2-2 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-4 2-4 2-7

Contents - i

Mate Option ................................................................................................ 2-8 Mate Offset Option...................................................................................... 2-8 Align Option ................................................................................................ 2-8 Align Offset Option...................................................................................... 2-9 Insert Option ............................................................................................. 2-10 Orient Option ............................................................................................ 2-10 Coord Sys Option ..................................................................................... 2-10 Tangent Option ......................................................................................... 2-11 Pnt On Srf Option ..................................................................................... 2-11 Edge On Srf Option .................................................................................. 2-12 Default Option ........................................................................................... 2-13 Placement Constraint Principles ..................................................................... 2-14 Creating Datum Planes for Placement Constraints......................................... 2-14 Using Placement Constraints to Modify Component Positions ....................... 2-15 Overconstraining Components........................................................................ 2-15 Including an Unplaced Component........................................................................ 2-15 Assembling a Component More than Once........................................................... 2-16 Assembling a Component into a Pattern ............................................................... 2-17 Reference Patterns ......................................................................................... 2-17 Group Patterns ................................................................................................ 2-19 Dimension-Driven Patterns ............................................................................. 2-20 Assembling a Component Nonparametrically: Packaging ..................................... 2-22 Placing Members for Packaging...................................................................... 2-23 Repositioning Packaged Members.................................................................. 2-24 About the Move Dialog Box ...................................................................... 2-25 Finalizing Packaged Members ........................................................................ 2-28 Configuration File Options............................................................................... 2-28 Assembling Simplified Representations of Components ....................................... 2-29 Assembling a Skeleton Model ............................................................................... 2-30

Chapter 3: Component Operations


Overview.................................................................................................................. Creating Components in Assembly Mode ............................................................... The Component Create Dialog Box .................................................................. The Creation Options Dialog Box...................................................................... Creating Parts or Subassemblies...................................................................... Start Components ....................................................................................... The Copy from Existing Option ................................................................... The Locate Default Datums Option ............................................................ The Empty option........................................................................................ Creating Parts ...................................................................................................

3-1
3-2 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-6 3-6 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-9

Contents - ii

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

The Create First Feature Option................................................................. 3-9 The Intersect Option ................................................................................... 3-9 The Mirror Option...................................................................................... 3-10 Creating Skeleton Models ............................................................................... 3-11 References in an Assembly with Skeleton Models ................................... 3-13 Skeleton Models and Assembly Features ................................................ 3-13 Skeleton Models in Pro/REPORT............................................................. 3-13 Retrieving Skeleton Models Independently of an Assembly..................... 3-13 Creating Bulk Items ......................................................................................... 3-14 Redefining Component Constraints....................................................................... 3-15 Translating and Rotating Components............................................................ 3-16 Using Datums.................................................................................................. 3-16 Replacing Components ......................................................................................... 3-17 Copying Components ............................................................................................ 3-20 Copying Geometric and Datum References ................................................... 3-21 Copying All References for a Copy Geom Feature .................................. 3-23 When References Are Missing ................................................................. 3-23 The Reference Status Column in the Model Tree Window....................... 3-23 Publishing Geometry ................................................................................ 3-24 Merging and Cutting Out Components .................................................................. 3-25 Restrictions on the Merge and Cut Out Process ............................................. 3-26 Merge and Cut Out Procedure ........................................................................ 3-28 Using the Reference Menu Option ........................................................... 3-29 Using the Copy Menu Option.................................................................... 3-31 Other Component Procedures............................................................................... 3-32

Chapter 4: Assembly Operations

4-1

Assigning Names to Components ........................................................................... 4-2 Renaming Components ........................................................................................... 4-2 Navigating an Assembly .......................................................................................... 4-3 Assembly Features Created Prior to Release 15.0 ........................................... 4-4 Ways to Modify an Assembly................................................................................... 4-6 Modifying Dimensions ....................................................................................... 4-7 Modifying Subassemblies ................................................................................. 4-7 Modifying Skeleton Models ............................................................................... 4-8 Modifying Parts within Assemblies .................................................................. 4-10 Creating and Deleting Part Features in Assembly Mode.......................... 4-10 Assembly Features ................................................................................................ 4-10 Using Basic Pro/ENGINEER ........................................................................... 4-11 Using Pro/ASSEMBLY .................................................................................... 4-11 Creating Assembly Features ........................................................................... 4-12

Contents - iii

Modifying Assembly Features ......................................................................... Adding and Removing Intersected Components ...................................... Changing the Level of an Assembly Feature Intersection ........................ Using Assembly Features in Part Mode.................................................... Copying Assembly Features ........................................................................... Restructuring Assembly Components ................................................................... Restructure Application ................................................................................... Regeneration ......................................................................................................... How to Regenerate ......................................................................................... Using the Regeneration Manager to Customize Regeneration ................ Recovery Options............................................................................................ Missing Component .................................................................................. Cannot Place a Component...................................................................... Cannot Regenerate Assembly Features...................................................

4-16 4-16 4-17 4-18 4-18 4-19 4-20 4-21 4-21 4-22 4-24 4-24 4-25 4-26

Chapter 5: Interchange Assemblies

5-1

Overview.................................................................................................................. 5-2 Functional Interchange Assemblies......................................................................... 5-3 Applications ....................................................................................................... 5-3 Creating a Functional Interchange Assembly.................................................... 5-4 Assembly Menu in a Functional Interchange Assembly ............................. 5-5 Adding New Members ................................................................................ 5-6 Using Reference Tags ................................................................................ 5-7 Using AutoTag ............................................................................................ 5-8 Simplify Interchange Assemblies............................................................................. 5-9 Applications ..................................................................................................... 5-10 Creating a Simplify Interchange Assembly...................................................... 5-10 Assembly Menu in a Simplify Interchange Assembly ............................... 5-10 Adding New Members .............................................................................. 5-11 Assigning Mass Properties ....................................................................... 5-13 Consolidated Interchange Assemblies .................................................................. 5-14 Creating a Consolidated Interchange Assembly ............................................. 5-14 Assembly Menu in a Consolidated Interchange Assembly ....................... 5-16 Adding Simplify Components to a Consolidated Interchange Assembly .. 5-17

Chapter 6: Simplified Representations


Overview.................................................................................................................. Availability ......................................................................................................... Types of Representations ................................................................................. Excluding and Substituting Components........................................................... Creating a Simplified Representation ...................................................................... The Default Rule ...............................................................................................
Contents - iv

6-1
6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

The EDIT REP Menu ........................................................................................ 6-6 Excluding Components............................................................................... 6-7 Substituting Components............................................................................ 6-9 The SELECT MDL Menu ................................................................................ 6-12 Using Rules for Selection in a Simplified Representation......................... 6-13 Selecting Components Within Another Simplified Representation ........... 6-18 Preparing for a Simplified Representation ............................................................. 6-18 Zones .............................................................................................................. 6-18 Viewing a Zone ......................................................................................... 6-19 Deleting a Zone ........................................................................................ 6-21 Envelopes ....................................................................................................... 6-21 Including an Envelope Part....................................................................... 6-22 Modifying an Envelope Part...................................................................... 6-22 Displaying an Envelope Part..................................................................... 6-24 Modifying a Simplified Representation .................................................................. 6-24 Setting a Representation to Be Current .......................................................... 6-24 Changing the Status........................................................................................ 6-24 Available Component Procedures................................................................... 6-26 Redefining Components.................................................................................. 6-26 Restrictions ..................................................................................................... 6-26 Retrieving a Simplified Representation.................................................................. 6-26

Chapter 7: Other Assembly Functions

7-1

Using the Model Tree Window................................................................................. 7-2 Reference Dimensions ............................................................................................ 7-4 Information............................................................................................................... 7-4 Reviewing Assembly Instructions for a Component .......................................... 7-5 Measuring Clearances ...................................................................................... 7-5 Bill of Materials .................................................................................................. 7-6 BOM and Mass Properties Behavior in Skeletons...................................... 7-6 BOM and Mass Properties Behavior in Master Representations ............... 7-6 Assembly Relations ................................................................................................. 7-7 Rules for Assembly Relations ........................................................................... 7-7 Entering Relations in Assembly Mode .............................................................. 7-8 Showing Dimensions in Part and Assembly Modes ................................... 7-8 Views ....................................................................................................................... 7-9 Creating Exploded Views .................................................................................. 7-9 Modifying Exploded Views........................................................................ 7-10 Using Offset Lines .................................................................................... 7-11 Setting Display Modes for Components .......................................................... 7-11 Displaying Unassigned Components........................................................ 7-11

Contents - v

Modifying Display Status .......................................................................... 7-15

Chapter 8: Reference Tools

8-1

Frequently Used Terminology.................................................................................. 8-2 Reference Control.................................................................................................... 8-2 Reference Control Environment ........................................................................ 8-3 Object Specific Reference Control .................................................................... 8-3 Scope of Components to be Referenced .......................................................... 8-4 All ................................................................................................................ 8-4 Subassembly .............................................................................................. 8-5 Skeleton Model ........................................................................................... 8-6 None ........................................................................................................... 8-6 Handling Out-of-Scope External References .................................................... 8-7 Reference Status for Features with Locally Copied References....................... 8-7 Specifying Default Settings ......................................................................... 8-8 Reference Investigation ........................................................................................... 8-9 The Global Reference Viewer Dialog Box....................................................... 8-10 Dependencies Displayed by the Global Reference Viewer............................. 8-12 Feature Dependencies ............................................................................. 8-12 Model Dependencies ................................................................................ 8-13 Placement Dependencies ......................................................................... 8-13 Dependencies to Another Assembly......................................................... 8-14 Parent and Child References Dialog Box........................................................ 8-15 Full Path Window ............................................................................................ 8-16 Information Window......................................................................................... 8-18

Chapter 9: Layouts

9-1

2-D Layouts and Layout Mode................................................................................. 9-2 Purpose of Layout Creation............................................................................... 9-2 How Layouts Work ............................................................................................ 9-3 Organizing and Saving Layout Information ....................................................... 9-3 Creating a Layout .................................................................................................... 9-4 Sketching Layout Geometry .............................................................................. 9-4 Reference Datums ............................................................................................ 9-5 Global Relations and Dimensions ..................................................................... 9-6 Setting Global Relations ............................................................................. 9-7 Using a Parameter Table ............................................................................ 9-7 Information about Global Parameters ......................................................... 9-8 Annotating the Layout ....................................................................................... 9-9 Including Parameter Values in Notes ......................................................... 9-9 Adding Balloon Notes ................................................................................. 9-9 Associating Layouts............................................................................................... 9-10
Contents - vi Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Declaring Layouts ........................................................................................... Passing Parameter Values from Layouts ................................................. Declaring Layouts in Skeletons ................................................................ Undeclaring Layouts ....................................................................................... Declaring Datums............................................................................................ Declaring Datums Explicitly ...................................................................... Declaring Datums by Table ...................................................................... Undeclaring Datums........................................................................................ Using Global Dimensions and Relations ......................................................... Automatic Assembly .............................................................................................. Considering Explicit and Table Declarations................................................... Spreadsheets......................................................................................................... Case Studies ......................................................................................................... Creating Geometry .......................................................................................... Dimensioning the Case Study ......................................................................... Using Relations ............................................................................................... Declaring Dimensions .....................................................................................

9-10 9-14 9-14 9-15 9-15 9-17 9-18 9-19 9-19 9-19 9-20 9-22 9-24 9-24 9-24 9-25 9-26

Contents - vii

About This Guide

About This Guide contains information about what is contained in this user guide and the conventions used in it. Topic Purpose Audience Contents Prerequisites Documentation Software Product Concerns and Documentation Comments Page ii ii ii ii iii iv

About This Guide - i

Purpose
This manual contains information you need to know to create, modify, and examine assemblies using Pro/ENGINEER.

Audience
This manual is written for electrical engineers, mechanical design engineers, application engineers, and manufacturing technicians.

Contents
This manual contains the following chapters: Starting Out in Assembly ModeIntroduces Pro/ENGINEER assembly functionality. Assembling ComponentsDescribes how to set up an assembly and add components to that assembly. Component OperationsDescribes how to create and modify component parts and subassemblies within an assembly. Assembly OperationsDescribes the use of top-level assembly functionality. Interchange AssembliesDescribes the use of Functional, Simplify, and Consolidated Interchange assemblies. Simplified RepresentationsDescribes how to create and use simplified representations of an assembly. Other Assembly FunctionsDescribes the aspects of Pro/ENGINEER functionality that work differently in Assembly mode. Reference ToolsDescribes the use of the Reference Control functionality and the Reference Viewer. LayoutsDescribes the use of Pro/NOTEBOOK and Pro/DETAIL with assemblies.

Prerequisites
Before you use Pro/ENGINEER Assembly mode, you should have an understanding of Pro/ENGINEER solid modeling concepts.

ii - About This Guide

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

You can also take the Pro/ENGINEER Basic Design class and the Advanced Assembly class to enhance your understanding of procedures and techniques.

About This Guide

Documentation
Documentation is divided into several manuals that compose a comprehensive guide to Pro/ENGINEER. Each manual deals with a major function of the software; you can usually determine which manual you need by reading the title. If not, each book has a corresponding index. For a complete list of Pro/ENGINEER user guides, see Overview of Pro/ENGINEER Documentation in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER.

Conventions
The following table lists conventions and terms used throughout this book. Convention Description Enhancements and other changes that are new this release are documented beside the New for 20 icon. Look for this icon in the margins of Release 20 books except What's New for Release 20.0.
UPPERCASE

Pro/ENGINEER-type menu name (for example, PART). Commands (options) on menus Windows-type menu names Dialog box options (for example, View) Utility names (for example, promonitor) Code samples appear in courier font like this. Key names appear in smallcaps (for example, ENTER). Important information appears in italics like this. Highlight a menu command by placing the arrow cursor on the command, and pressing the left mouse button. A synonym for choose as above, select also describes the actions of selecting elements on a model, and checking boxes. An element describes redefinable characteristics of a feature in a model.

Boldface

Monospace (Courier)
SMALLCAPS

Emphasis Choose Select

Element

About This Guide - iii

Convention Mode

Description An environment in Pro/ENGINEER in which you can perform a group of closely related functions (Drawing, for example). A part, subassembly or top-level assembly. The selected part of the model you view and manipulate. An item in a menu or an entry in a configuration file or a setup file. Notes: Important information that should not be overlooked appears in notes like this. All references to mouse clicks assume the use of a right-handed mouse.

Model Object Option

Software Product Concerns and Documentation Comments


For resources and services to help you with PTC software products, see the PTC Customer Service Guide. It includes instructions for using the World Wide Web or fax transmissions for customer support. In regard to documentation, PTC welcomes your suggestions and comments. You can send feedback in the following ways: Send comments electronically to doc_webhelp@ptc.com. Fill out and mail the PTC Documentation Survey in the customer service guide.

iv - About This Guide

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

1
Starting Out in Assembly Mode

Just as you can combine features into parts, you can also combine parts into assemblies. Assembly mode in Pro/ENGINEER enables you to place component parts and subassemblies together to form assemblies, as well as to design parts based on how they should fit together. You can then modify, analyze, or reorient the resulting assemblies. Topic Assembly Functions Working with Assemblies Page 1-2 1-3

1-1

Assembly Functions
Pro/ENGINEER provides basic assembly tools, and various Pro/ENGINEER modules give you additional functionality for assembly operations. Pro/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 Design Manager.

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 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 two types of advanced simplified representations. For more information, refer to the chapter Simplified Representations in this guide.

Interchange Assemblies
You create interchange assemblies apart from design assemblies. However, you use interchange assemblies in design assemblies. There are three kinds of interchange assemblies: functional, simplify, and consolidated. With functional interchange assemblies, you can designate models with the same engineering function as replacements for each other, using reference tags. With simplify interchange assemblies, you can designate different visual representations of the same model as substitutes for each other. For example, you can substitute a concept block or part envelope for a more fully detailed display of a complex subassembly. With consolidated interchange assemblies, you can create both functional interchanges and simplify interchanges in the same assembly. Consolidated interchange assemblies are available using a configuration option.

1-2

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

The Design Manager


Within the Pro/ASSEMBLY module, the Design Manager functionality provides top-down design tools, reference control and investigation tools, and advanced performance tools. Using top-down design tools, you can set up a well-structured design containing skeleton models and copied geometric and datum references. Using reference control and investigation tools, you can view and manage the complex web of dependencies that evolve with the design. These tools enable you to easily trace and understand the references that you make among features in a design. They clarify the external reference relationships that exist among models in an assembly. For more information, refer to the chapter Reference Tools in this guide.

Starting Out in Assembly Mode

Pro/NOTEBOOK
The optional Pro/NOTEBOOK module supports top-down assembly design with tools that enable you to create hierarchically-linked assembly layouts. For more information, refer to the chapter Layouts in this guide.

Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES


The optional Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES module enables you to create explode states in assemblies to define the exploded position of all components.

Working with Assemblies


To work with an assembly, use the File menu to open or create an assembly file (see Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER for more information). The ASSEMBLY menu displays the following options: ComponentManipulates assembly components (using the COMPONENT menu). FeatureManipulates assembly features (using the ASSY FEAT menu). ModifyModifies assembly or component dimensions and features (using the ASSEM MOD and MODIFY menus).

Starting Out in Assembly Mode

1-3

RestructureModifies assembly groupings, moving components from one assembly or subassembly to another (using the RESTRUCTURE menu). MechanismAllows you to define motion for the assembly (using Pro/MECHANICA). Simplfd RepCreates, modifies, or sets a simplified representation (using the SIMPLFD REP menu). Design MgrAccesses tools to manage assembly design (using the DESIGN MGR menu). ExplodeStateCreates, sets, and modifies explode states of an assembly (using the EXPLD STATE menu). RegenerateUpdates modified part and assembly dimensions (using the PRT TO REGEN menu). RelationsEdits parametric labels and adds or edits constraint equations (using the MODEL REL and RELATIONS menus). Family TabEdits assembly family tables or creates assembly instances (using the FAMILY TABLE menu). Set UpAssigns assembly mass properties, and specifies length units, mass units, dimension bounds, and other set up properties (using the ASSEM SETUP menu). LayerPerforms layer procedures (using the LEVEL SEL and MODEL INFO menus). ProgramProvides an option (Pro/PROGRAM) to create a program to control the design of parts in an assembly (using the PROGRAM menu). IntegrateRetrieves integration project files (created in Pro/PDM) and generates difference reports to resolve differences between source and target assemblies (using the INTEGRATE menu). Copy FromCopies entire assemblies or subassemblies into the new assembly.

Assembly names can have a maximum length of 31 characters, excluding the extension and path. For information concerning assembly retrieval problems, see Recovery Options on page 4 - 24.

1-4

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

2
Assembling Components

This chapter discusses ways to build assemblies with existing components. Topic Overview Initial Procedures Assembling a Component Parametrically Including an Unplaced Component Assembling a Component More than Once Assembling a Component into a Pattern Assembling a Component Nonparametrically: Packaging Assembling Simplified Representations of Components Assembling a Skeleton Model Page 2-2 2-2 2-4 2 - 15 2 - 16 2 - 17 2 - 22 2 - 29 2 - 30

2-1

Overview
To create a subassembly or an assembly, you must place a base component or feature, then attach additional components to the base and to each other. You cannot attach components to an exploded assembly. You must unexplode it first. You can add components to an assembly in the following ways: Attach a component parametrically by specifying its position relative to the base component or other components in the assembly (see Assembling a Component Parametrically on page 2 - 4). Attach a component nonparametrically using the Package command in the COMPONENT menu. Use packaging as a temporary means to include the component in the assembly; then finalize its location with assembly instructions (see Assembling a Component Nonparametrically: Packaging on page 2 - 22). Create a part or subassembly directly in Assembly mode (see Creating Components in Assembly Mode on page 3 - 2). This option is available only if you have a Pro/ASSEMBLY license. If you have a Pro/NOTEBOOK license, you can assemble components automatically using layouts. You create these assemblies by automatically aligning datum planes and axes of different parts in accordance with the declarations previously made in Layout and Part modes. For more information on Pro/NOTEBOOK assemblies, see Automatic Assembly on page 9 - 19.

You can remove a component from an assembly by deleting it or replacing it with another component. In addition, you can also redefine the placement constraints for assembled components. See the chapter Component Operations for a detailed explanation of these procedures.

Initial Procedures
To place a base component or feature, you must either create three orthogonal datum planes as the first feature, assemble an existing component (part, subassembly, or skeleton model), or create a base component.

2-2

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Datum Planes as the First Features


When you create three orthogonal datum planes as the first features in an assembly, you can assemble a component with respect to these planes, or create a part in Assembly mode as the first component (see Creating Components in Assembly Mode on page 3 - 2). Using datum planes as the first feature has the following advantages: You can redefine the placement constraints of the first assembled component. You can pattern the first component you add, creating a flexible design. You can replace the first component with interchangeable components. You can reorder subsequent components to come before the first one (if the components are not children of the first component). Assembling Components

Placing a Base Component


If you do not create three orthogonal datum planes, the base component is the first part, subassembly, or skeleton model placed into an assembly. In many ways it is like the base feature of a part. The initial assembly units are the same as the units of the base component. When a base component is the first object in an assembly (before any assembly features), no placement constraints are defined. The component is simply placed by default. If you replace a base component with interchangeable components, the replacing components will always be placed by default as well.

Creating a Base Component


When you create the first component of an assembly, you can either create an empty component or copy from an existing component. As with an assembled base component, the initial assembly units are the same as the base component, and interchange components that replace the created base component will always be in the default orientation. For more information on creating a base component, see The Empty option on page 3 - 8, and The Copy from Existing Option on page 3 - 6.

Assembling Components

2-3

Assembling a Component Parametrically


You can position a component relative to its neighbors (components or assembly features) so that its position is updated as its neighbors move or change. This is called parametric assembly. Pro/ENGINEER allows you to specify constraints to determine how and where the component relates to the assembly. To assemble a component parametrically, use the Component Placement dialog box. You can access this dialog box through either the pop-up menu in the Model Tree window or the Assemble command in the COMPONENT menu. For more information about the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

The Component Placement Dialog Box


The Component Placement dialog box contains two tabs, as shown in the following figure. The Place tab provides options for constraining a new component, and the Move tab provides options for translating, rotating, and adjusting a component once you have placed it in the assembly. For more information on the Move tab, see Repositioning Packaged Members on page 2 - 24).

2-4

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Component Placement dialog box

Assembling Components

The following boxes appear in the Place tab in the Component Placement dialog box: Display Component InAllows you to change the screen window in which the component appears while you position it. This box has two option buttons, which you can change at any time: Separate WindowShows the component in its own window while you specify its constraints.

Assembling Components

2-5

AssemblyShows the component in the assembly window while you specify its constraints.

ConstraintsDisplays the constraints that you have defined, and allows you to add new constraints or remove existing ones. AddAdds a placement constraint for the component. RemoveDeletes a placement constraint for the component. To access this option, you must select a constraint in the Constraints box. Retr RefsRetrieves any other components which define the location of the component.This option appears if, in a simplified representation, you redefine a component that depends on components that are not in the simplified representation.

Constraint Type Allows you to select a type of constraint to define. Component ReferenceAllows you to specify a reference on the placed component. Assembly ReferenceAllows you to specify a reference in the assembly. OffsetAllows you to define the offset from the reference. (Valid for Mate Offset and Align Offset constraints.) Placement StatusDisplays the current placement status of the component. Command Buttons OKPlaces the component with the current constraints. PreviewShows the location of the component as it would be with the current placement constraints. CancelQuits the placement operation and removes the component from the Model Tree.

How to Assemble a Component 1. Either choose ASSEMBLY > Component > Assemble, or click the right mouse button on the assembly name in the Model Tree and choose Component > Assemble. 2. Select the component. The Component Placement dialog box appears and the component appears in the Assembly Window. 3. Choose Add, then select the type of constraint to add.The default constraint type is Mate.

2-6

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

4. Define the placement constraints. As you do so, Pro/ENGINEER automatically updates a line in the Constraints box corresponding to the constraint. If you have chosen Assembly from the Display Component In box, the placement of the component in the assembly window is also updated as you specify constraints. As you add constraints to the component, the Placement Status window is updated with the following messages: No Constraints Fully constrained Partially constrained Constraints invalid Assembling Components

5. When the component is either fully constrained, or partially constrained, click OK to leave the Component Placement dialog box. If constraints are incomplete, you can leave the component as packaged (refer to Assembling a Component Nonparametrically: Packaging on page 2 - 22). Packaged components follow the behavior dictated by the configuration file option package_constraints (see Repositioning Packaged Members on page 2 - 24). Note: Since the components are packaged but not placed, you cannot create children that reference them. If constraints are conflicting, you can restart or continue placing the component. If you choose to restart, it erases all previously defined constraints for the component.

Placement Constraint Types


Using the TYPE options, you can specify 11 placement constraint types: mate, mate offset, align, align offset, insert, orient, coordinate system, tangent, edge on surface, point on surface, and default. This section provides a description and example of each type. If you are aligning or mating a datum plane, a yellow arrow appears on the specified datum plane by default, pointing in the direction that the yellow side currently faces. The Datum Orient dialog box also appears; choose Red or Yellow to indicate which side of the datum plane should face in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Assembling Components

2-7

Mate Option
Use the Mate option to make two surfaces touch one another: coincident and facing each other. When using datums, you must specify which sides, red or yellow, to mate. Using Mate
mate mate

mate

Mate Offset Option


Use the Mate Offset option to make two planar surfaces parallel and facing each other. The offset value determines the distance between the two surfaces. Using Mate Offset
mate mate

mate offset

offset

Align Option
Use the Align option to make two planes coplanar (coincident and facing in the same direction) and to align revolved surfaces or axes to be coaxial.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Using Align
align (plane) align (axis) align (axis)

Assembling Components

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 can only select a point on another part).

Align Offset Option


Use the Align Offset option to align two planar surfaces at an offset: parallel and facing in the same direction. Using Align Offset

align mate align offset offset

Assembling Components

2-9

Insert Option
Use the Insert option to insert a male revolved surface into a female revolved surface, making their respective axes coaxial. This option is useful when axes are unavailable or inconvenient for selection. Using Insert

insert insert

mate

Orient Option
Use the Orient option to orient two planar surfaces to be parallel facing in the same direction; it does not specify the offset. Using Orient

orient insert mate

Coord Sys Option


Use the Coord Sys option to place a component into an assembly by aligning its coordinate system with a coordinate system in the assembly (you can use both assembly and part coordinate systems). You can select the coordinate systems by name from namelist menus, pick them, or create them on the fly. The components will be assembled by aligning the corresponding axes of the selected coordinate systems. For information on creating coordinate systems, see Creating a Coordinate System in the chapter Datums in the Part Modeling Users Guide.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Using Coord Sys

coord sys coordinate system in assembly (belongs to part)

Tangent Option
Assembling Components Use the Tangent option to control the contact of two surfaces at their tangency. Keep in mind that this placement constraint functions similarly to Mate because it mates surfaces; it does not align them. An example of the use of this option is the contact surface or point between a cam and its actuator. Using Tangent

tangent

align

conical surface

Pnt On Srf Option


Use the Pnt On Srf option to control the contact of a surface with a point. In the example shown in the following figure, the system constrained the bottom surface of the shaft to a datum point in the hole in the block to control the depth of the shaft in the hole. You can use part or assembly datum points, surface features, or datum planes, or part solid surfaces for references.

Assembling Components

2 - 11

Using Pnt On Srf

Using Pnt On Srf, constrain this surface to be at the height of PNT0

Align both axes

Edge On Srf Option


Use the Edge On Srf option to control the contact of a surface with a straight edge. The following figure presents an example of a gate and pivot. The system constrained a linear edge on the pivot to a planar surface on the gate. You can use datum planes, planar part or assembly surface features, or any planar part solid surfaces.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Using Edge On Srf

mate

align Using Edge On Srf, constrain this edge with this surface.

Assembling Components

Default Option
Use the Default option to align the default, system-created coordinate system of the component to the default, system-created coordinate system of the assembly. Using Default

Assembling Components

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Placement Constraint Principles


A placement constraint specifies the relative position of a pair of references (such as Pnt On Srf in the PLACE menu). You should follow these general principles during constraint placement: When using Mate and Align, the two references must be of the same type (for example, plane-plane, revolved-revolved, point-point, axis-axis). The term revolved surface refers to a surface created by revolving a section, or by extruding an arc/circle. You can only use the following surfaces in a placement constraint: plane, cylinder, cone, torus, sphere. If you put a placement constraint on a datum plane, you must specify which side of it, yellow or red, you are going to use. This does not apply to the Pnt On Srf and Edge On Srf constraints. When using Mate Offset or Align Offset and entering a value, the system displays the offset direction. To offset in the opposite direction, make the offset value negative. The system adds constraints one at a time. For example, it is not possible using a single Align option to align two different holes in one part with two different holes in another part. You must define two different alignment constraints. Use placement constraints in combinations to completely specify both placement and orientation. For example, you may constrain one pair of surfaces to mate, another pair to insert, and a third pair to orient.

Creating Datum Planes for Placement Constraints


Assembly placement options that constrain planes (Mate, Mate Offset, Align, Align Offset, and Orient) enable you to create datum planes on the fly and to use them in the assembly process. Whenever you choose one of these placement types, the system displays these two options: Select (or Plane, when using an Offset)Selects a planar surface or existing datum plane; for Align, you can also select a revolved surface, an axis, a point, or a vertex.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Make DatumCreates a datum plane. If you choose this option after choosing a constraint type and before placing the constraint on either the assembly or the component, you must first select the window in which to create the datum. If you have already placed a constraint in one window, the system automatically creates the datum in the other window. In the component window, the system creates the datum plane as a visible feature in the component. In the assembly window, the datum is internal to the assembly.

Using Placement Constraints to Modify Component Positions


To modify relative positions of components in the future, define their placement using the offset placement constraints Mate Offset or Align Offset, rather than Mate or Align. To mate or align surfaces only, specify the offset value as 0. Then, whenever you choose the Modify command from the ASSEMBLY menu, the offset value appears and you can modify it. Assembling Components

Overconstraining Components
You can add more constraints to a component than are necessary to place the component in Pro/ENGINEER. Even though the position of a component may be completely constrained mathematically, you may add up to ten constraints to ensure that the assembly meets a particular design intent.

Including an Unplaced Component


Unplaced components belong to an assembly without being assembled or packaged. These components appear in the model tree, but not in the graphic window. Unplaced components are represented by a distinct icon in the model tree. Unplaced components can be constrained or packaged by selecting them from the model tree for redefinition. Unplaced components can be included or excluded when creating the Bill of Materials, and are not accounted for in mass properties calculations. Once a component is constrained or packaged, it cannot be made unplaced again.When its parent assembly is retrieved into memory, an unplaced component is also retrieved.

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2 - 15

On unplaced components, you can perform actions that do not involve any knowledge of either the placement of the component in the assembly, or the geometry of the component. For instance, you can associate an unplaced component with a layer, but you cannot create a feature on an unplaced component. Note: When a component is declared to belong to an assembly by modifying its relationship in PDM or Intralink, that component will be left unplaced in the assembly until it is explicitly either constrained or packaged. How to Create an Unplaced Component 1. Create a component either by copying from an existing component or making an empty component. 2. Select the Leave Component Unplaced checkbox in the Creation Options dialog box. 3. Continue the creation process. The component is added to the model tree but does not appear in the graphic window. How to Include an Existing Component in an Assembly, but Leave It Unplaced 1. Select ASSEMBLY > Component > Adv Utils > Include. The File Open dialog box appears. 2. Select a component. The component is added to the model tree but does not appear in the graphic window.

Assembling a Component More than Once


To place a component multiple times in the assembly, you can use the Repeat command in the ADV COMP UTL menu. You decide which references you want to vary, then define new locations for those references. How to Repeat a Component 1. After assembling the component, choose Component > Adv Utils > Repeat. The Repeat Component dialog box appears. 2. Select the component to repeat. The system highlights the selected component and displays the references available to vary. 3. Select as many of the references as you want to vary. You can clear selected references before you continue.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

4. Click Add to begin the placement. 5. Follow the prompts in the message window to select the appropriate references of the assembly for placement. When you have defined all the references, the system automatically adds a new component. 6. Continue to define reference placements until all occurrences are placed. 7. Click Confirm when you have placed all occurrences. 8. To remove an occurrence, select its row in the Place Component window, then click Remove.

Assembling a Component into a Pattern


You can pattern a component in two ways: Assemble it to the leader of an existing component or feature pattern; then pattern it using Ref Pattern. A pattern must exist in order to use this option. Create it as a pattern by itself using Dim Pattern with placement dimensions from the constraints applied.

Assembling Components

If a component was created in the context of an assembly with the Create First Feature option, you cannot pattern it.

Reference Patterns
After assembling a component, you can pattern it using the Ref Pattern option, as long as it was assembled with constraints that reference some previously patterned item. For example, to place bolts into a pattern of holes, you have to specify the constraints for assembly only once, between the bolt and the first, or leader, hole.

Assembling Components

2 - 17

Assembling a Component in a Pattern


pattern of four holes

mate insert

The number of instances (holes) of the pattern determines the number of components (bolts) to be assembled. Therefore, if you modify the number of instances (holes) in the pattern, the number of required components (bolts) is updated. Modifying a Pattern
Modify number of instances to 6. The number of bolts automatically follows the number of holes.

How to Assemble Components into a Reference Pattern 1. Retrieve a component for assembly by choosing ASSEMBLY > Component > Assemble. 2. Place the component using the Component Placement dialog box. The references you select from the assembly must be from a previously patterned assembly component or assembly feature. 3. Choose COMPONENT > Pattern; then pick the component to pattern.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

4. Choose PRO PAT TYPE > Ref Pattern. This command does not appear unless the component is assembled relative to an existing pattern. 5. Choose Done. The component assembles to every member of the pattern. Note that placement constraints that do not belong to the pattern are common to all components. Like a feature pattern, if you modify one component, the system modifies every component. When assembling components into a reference pattern, keep in mind the following rules: You can select references from two patterns in a set of placement constraints, but the system only uses the first pattern for subsequent components. If you assemble a component into an assembly feature that is the leader of the pattern, you cannot reference this pattern. You can use assembly components placed as a reference pattern to assemble another pattern of components. For example, if you have bolts assembled in a pattern of holes using the Ref Pattern option, you can use Ref Pattern again to assemble a pattern of nuts directly to the bolts.

Assembling Components

To redefine a component that is patterned using Dim Pattern, you must recreate the pattern after redefining the component placement.

Group Patterns
For a pattern assembly, you can use part features that were made into a local group before being group patterned. If the assembling references contain more than one pattern, the system uses the pattern of the first reference. If the first reference contains both a feature pattern and a group pattern, the ASSEM PAT menu appears with the following options: Feat PatAssembles the component only to the selected feature pattern. Group PatAssembles the component only to the group pattern. BothAssembles the component to both the feature and group patterns.

Assembling Components

2 - 19

Assembling to Group Patterns

feature pattern made into local group

group pattern

assembled to feature pattern

assembled to group pattern

assembled to both patterns

Dimension-Driven Patterns
You can create a dimension-driven pattern to specify multiple occurrences of a component in the assembly while using only a single assembly option. The dimension-driven pattern uses assembly constraint dimensions to create this type of pattern, so you must use assembly options such as Mate Offset or Align Offset. You can also use Copy (see Copying Components on page 3 - 20) to create a pattern type assembly. The rules for creating a dimension-driven pattern for an assembly follow those for feature patterning (see Creating a Dimension Pattern in the chapter Patterning Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide).

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Patterning Components Using Dim Pattern

Use this dimension, entered for the Align Offset constraint, as the driving dimension when assembling with the Dim Pattern option.

1.00

Assembling Components

p1:3

This part was assembled only once. To change the number of components in the pattern, modify the p1:3 parameter.

How to Create a Dimension-Driven Pattern During Assembly 1. Retrieve a component for assembly by choosing ASSEMBLY > Component > Assemble. 2. Place the component using the Component Placement dialog box options with at least one offset type constraint. You must specify the offset type constraints for surfaces that you want to use for creating the pattern. 3. Choose COMPONENT > Pattern. 4. Select the component to pattern. The menu appears. 5. Choose PRO PAT TYPE > Dim Pattern > Done. 6. The PAT DIM INCR menu appears. Use commands from this menu to establish the pattern directions and increments as you would for a feature pattern.

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2 - 21

How to Use the Model Tree to Create Patterns 1. Position the cursor over the assembly or a component in the Model Tree window; then press the right mouse button. A pop-up menu appears. 2. Choose Pattern from the menu to display the PAT DIM INCR menu or the PRO PAT TYPE menu. 3. Proceed as in the previous procedure. For more information about the Model Tree window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

Assembling a Component Nonparametrically: Packaging


When you are adding a component to an assembly, you may not know where that member fits best, or you might not want to locate it relative to other geometry. You can leave such a component either partially constrained, or unconstrained. This component would be a packaged component. Although it is a part of the assembly, it is not assembled parametrically. Use packaging as a temporary means to locate the component; finalize the location of the component with assembly constraints. One way to package a component is to use the PACKAGE menu. Another way to package a component is to assemble the component, then close the Component Placement dialog box before the component is fully constrained. You can reposition a packaged component using either the Move command on the PACKAGE menu, or the Move tab in the Component Placement dialog box. When you package a component, Pro/ENGINEER attaches it to the mouse cursor. Move the mouse to position the packaged component and click the left mouse button to drop the part at the current position. Pro/ENGINEER remembers where packaged components are located. However, positioning is absolute, not relative to other components.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

To access the Package option, from the ASSEMBLY menu, choose Component, then Package. The PACKAGE menu displays the following options: AddPlaces a new component in the assembly without using placement constraints. Displays the GET MODEL menu. MoveRepositions a packaged component in the assembly. Displays the Move dialog box. FinalizePositions a packaged component using assembly placement constraints. Displays the Component Placement dialog box. Note: The first component of an assembly cannot be a packaged component. However, you can package additional occurrences of the first component.

Assembling Components

Placing Members for Packaging


Using the Add command in the PACKAGE menu, you can place components into an assembly nonparametrically (that is, without constraining them relative to neighboring parts). How to Package a New Component in an Assembly 1. Choose ASSEMBLY > Component > Package > Add. The GET MODEL menu displays the following options: OpenOpens the File Open dialog box to select a component. Sel On ModelAllows you to select any component on the screen and adds a new occurrence of it to the assembly. Sel LastAdds the last component assembled or packaged.

2. Choose an option from this menu. 3. Select a component. The Move dialog box opens. The system automatically places the component in the default position. The component then follows the cursor in a dynamic drag mode, ready for you to place it. 4. Click the left mouse button to drop the component in the current position. 5. Use the Move dialog box to adjust the position of the packaged component.

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2 - 23

Repositioning Packaged Members


You can use the Move dialog box to translate or rotate assembly members that you positioned using the Add option, as well as components that were left with incomplete constraints. Keep in mind the following: Once you add a component to an assembly, the system does not remove it when you choose Quit. It restores it to its original default placement. Pro/ENGINEER will remove the added component from the assembly if you quit the initial package move dialog box. 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 also use Redo in the same way. When using Adjust and View Plane to move a component, the system does not move the component anywhere because the actual view plane is located very far away from the assembly. Instead, it reorients the component so that the desired surface is perpendicular to the view direction.

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About the Move Dialog Box


The Move dialog box is similar to the Move tab on the Component Placement dialog box. The Move dialog box

Assembling Components

There are several areas on the Move dialog box, as described below: Motion Type areaAllows you to select one of the following radio buttons to determine the kind of motion: TranslateMoves the packaged component by dragging it parallel to an edge, axis, plane, or the viewing screen; perpendicular to a plane; or until a face or axis on that component becomes coincident with another. RotateRotates the packaged component about an edge, axis, or point on the viewing screen; or until a face or axis on that component becomes aligned with another. AdjustAligns the packaged component to a reference entity on the assembly.

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Motion Reference areaAllows you to select the reference for the direction from the following options: View PlaneUses the viewing plane as the reference plane (repositions the component in a parallel plane ). Sel PlaneSelects a plane other than the viewing plane as the reference plane (repositions the component in a plane that is parallel to it). Entity/EdgeSelects an axis, straight edge, or datum curve (repositions the component in a line parallel to it). Plane NormalSelects a plane as the reference plane and repositions the component in a line that is normal to it. 2 PointsPicks two points or vertices (repositions the component in a line that connects them). C-sysSelects a coordinate system axis (repositions the component in the direction of it).

Motion Increments areaAllows you to set the degree of the following increments (to drag the component without apparent incrementing, choose Smooth.): TranslationSpecifies the motion increments for translational dragging. Use the menu to select a value, or enter a value. RotationSpecifies the motion increments for rotational dragging. Use the menu to select a value, or enter a value.

Position areaAllows you to enter the relative distance from the start point to the new component origin. Undo buttonAllows you to Undo the last motion. Redo buttonAllows you to Redo the last motion. Preferences buttonSets up preferences for dragging packaged components. Displays the Preferences dialog box with the following options: Dynamic DragDynamically updates the component to constraints while dragging. This option is the default. Modify OffsetsModifies the offset dimensions while dragging the component. Add OffsetsAdds offset dimensions to Mate and Align constraints initially created without offsets. Drag CenterSelects a new point on the component to be the drag origin.

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How to Reposition (Move) a Packaged Component in an Assembly 1. Choose PACKAGE > Move > Preferences. The Preferences dialog box appears. 2. Select the drag options for the move and modify the drag center, then close the Preferences dialog box. 3. Set the Motion Increments for the move. 4. Set the Transformation and Direction for the move as follows: Using Translate or Rotate, and an appropriate Direction (as indicated in About the Move Dialog Box on page 2 - 25), select a component. The component moves with or rotates around the cursor dynamically and you can drop it into place using the left mouse button, return it to its original location using the middle mouse button, or switch between Translate and Rotate mode using the right mouse button. Using Adjust and a planar direction, select a surface on the packaged component to align to the reference plane in the assembly. Using Adjust and Entity/Edge, align the packaged component with the assembly by selecting a reference entity (an existing curve, edge, or axis) on the assembly and another entity (edge or axis) on the packaged component. Using Adjust and 2 Points, align the packaged component with the assembly by selecting two points on the assembly to specify the motion reference direction, then selecting an edge or axis on the packaged component. Using Adjust and C-sys, align the packaged component with the assembly by selecting a coordinate system axis on the assembly, then selecting an edge or axis on the packaged component.

Assembling Components

Notes: The Adjust option is not a rigid assembly constraint. It simply moves the component nonparametrically. It is analogous to a Mate or Align. The Translate, Rotate, and Adjust options are modal. Once you select a reference in an assembly, you can switch between these options until you select the reference again. The reference remains active until you change it.

5. Continue repositioning packaged components, placing new members, or changing views.

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Finalizing Packaged Members


Packaged members are not located parametrically in the assembly. That is, changes made to neighboring parts do not drive their location. This makes packaging useful when you are laying out your assembly and experimenting with different configurations. However, once you know where components go, you should finalize their location using a command from the ASSEMBLY menu; select either Component, then Package, then Finalize, or Component then Redefine. When you finalize a packaged member, you can use placement constraints (such as Mate, Align, Insert, Orient) to reposition it in the assembly. As a result, your components behave according to the desired logic as you make modifications. Once you finalize a packaged component, you can no longer move it with the Package functionality; however, you can modify or redefine the placement using the Component Placement dialog box.

Configuration File Options


The following configuration file options control the behavior of package moved components: comp_assemble_startControls where the component is initially shown. The values are package (the default) and constrain_in_window. package_constraintsControls the behavior of partially constrained components. You cannot build children from them. The values are update, freeze, and disallow. If you set it to update, the component continues to follow the assembly constraints you have specified. If you set it to freeze, the component behaves the same as a packaged component; that is, it does not follow the constraints that you have specified. If you set it to disallow, the component must be fully constrained before you can leave the package interface. comp_rollback_on_redefControls whether the system rolls back the assembly when you redefine a component. The values are yes (the default) and no.

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Assembling Simplified Representations of Components


You can assemble simplified representations of components to a simplified representation of an assembly. After you choose the name of the new component, the system checks the component for simplified representations. If none exist, it uses the regular assembly process. If representations do exist, you can choose one from the Open Rep dialog box. You can then assemble the representation to the assembly. Notes: You can only assemble a simplified representation of a part or assembly to a simplified representation of an assembly. You can only assemble geometry representations of components to the default geometry representation of an assembly. Assembling Components

In the active representation of the top-level assembly, the system shows the component as substituted by the simplified representation that was assembled. It includes the Master Representation of the new component in the top-level Master Representation. The top-level Master Representation always contains the Master Representation of its components. In all other top-level assembly representations, the default rule determines whether to include or exclude the new component (for more information about the default rule, see The Default Rule on page 6 - 5).

Assembling Components

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Assembling a Skeleton Model


You can assemble an existing skeleton model to an assembly. You can assemble only one skeleton model to each assembly or subassembly; if a skeleton model already exists, you will not have the option to assemble another one. Assemble skeleton models as you assemble any other component. How to Assemble a Skeleton Model 1. Choose Component > Assemble from either the Model Tree or the ASSEMBLY menu. The Open dialog box appears. 2. Set the Type to Part and the Sub-Type to Skeleton Model, to restrict the file list to skeleton models. 3. Continue as you would for any other component. Note: If a skeleton model has external references to old assemblies, these references could cause problems during the regeneration of the new assembly. It is recommended that you reuse (assemble) top-level skeleton models rather than reuse mid-level skeleton models from a different assembly.

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3
Component Operations

This chapter discusses many functions you can perform directly on the components in an assembly. Topic Overview Creating Components in Assembly Mode Redefining Component Constraints Replacing Components Copying Components Merging and Cutting Out Components Other Component Procedures Page 3-2 3-2 3 - 15 3 - 17 3 - 20 3 - 25 3 - 32

3-1

Overview
You can create a part or subassembly directly in Assembly mode, rename components, redefine component constraints, replace components, and merge and cutout components. Pro/ENGINEER provides assembly tree-based tools for managing large assemblies. Simplified representations control which members of an assembly the system brings into session and displays (for more information, see the chapter Simplified Representations). You can create multiple simplified representations for an assembly, each corresponding to an area or level of detail of the assembly where individual designers or groups are working. You can use simplified representation tools to simplify an assembly by excluding components in a particular representation or substituting one component (part or assembly) for another. Substituting enables you to simplify your working environment significantly, while still including critical geometry. Using the Restructure command in the ASSEMBLY menu, you can modify assembly groupings and add flexibility to the assembly design process (see Restructuring Assembly Components on page 4 - 19). You can move components from one subassembly to another. After you restructure a subassembly, you can add to it and modify it. Using the new package move functionality, you can move a fully constrained component by specifying preferences, and adding and removing offsets. You can change the placement of a component, regardless of how it was assembled, without having to redefine it.

Creating Components in Assembly Mode


You can create parts and subassemblies in the context of an assembly with a Pro/ASSEMBLY license. Component Creation options allow parts, skeletons and subassemblies to be created empty, with default datums, or by copying existing start parts or start assemblies. All of these methods allow component creation in the assembly context without requiring external dependencies on the assembly geometry.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Use the Component Create dialog box to create parts as described in the following sections. Access this dialog box through either the pop-up menu in the Model Tree window or, from the COMPONENT menu, choose the Create command. For more information about the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

The Component Create Dialog Box


The Component Create dialog box allows you to create four types of components: parts, subassemblies, skeleton models and bulk items. There are three areas in the dialog box, as shown in the following figure: The Component Create Dialog Box

Component Operations

TypeAllows you to choose the type of component. PartAllows you to create parts (see Creating Parts or Subassemblies on page 3 - 6 and Creating Parts on page 3 - 9). SubassemblyAllows you to create subassemblies (see Creating Parts or Subassemblies on page 3 - 6). Skeleton ModelAllows you to create skeleton models (see Creating Skeleton Models on page 3 - 11). Bulk ItemAllows you to create bulk items (see Creating Bulk Items on page 3 - 14).

Sub-typeDisplays four options for the Part type. There are no sub-types available for subassemblies, skeleton models, or bulk items. SolidAllows you to create solid parts. Opens the Creation Options dialog box.

Component Operations

3-3

SheetmetalAllows you to create sheetmetal parts. Opens the FEAT CLASS and SHEET METAL menus. For more information, see the Pro/NC-SHEETMETAL Users Guide. IntersectAllows you to create a part out of the intersection of two existing components in the assembly. MirrorAllows you to create either an independent or a dependent mirrored part from an existing component in the assembly.

NameSuggests a name, in a format dependent on the component type. Allows you to accept the default or enter a new name.

The Creation Options Dialog Box


When you choose Subassembly, or Part then Solid in the Component Create dialog box, the Creation Options dialog box appears. This dialog box has up to four group boxes as shown in the following figure: The Creation Options Dialog Box

Creation MethodAllows you to select a way to create the part. Always available in the Creation Options dialog box.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Copy From ExistingAllows you to select an existing component to copy. Clicking this option displays the Copy From and Unplaced boxes. Locate Default DatumsAllows you to set default datums for a new component, and displays the Locate Datums Method box. EmptyAllows you to create a component with no initial geometry. Selecting this option displays the Unplaced box. Create First Feature(For part creation only.) Allows you to create the first feature of a new part. Opens the FEAT CLASS menu.

Copy FromAllows you to either enter the name of the component to copy, or browse the directory structure to select the name. Available when you select the Copy From Existing button. UnplacedAllows you to include the component in the assembly without defining placement constraints. Available when you create parts or subassemblies and select the Copy From Existing or the Empty button. Locate Datums MethodAllows you to create a component and assemble it automatically to references in the assembly. Available when you select the Locate Default Datums button. Three PlanesAllows you to select three orthogonal planes to create part datums and define placement. Axis Normal To PlaneAllows you to select an axis and a plane to create part datums and define placement. Align Csys To CsysAllows you to select a coordinate system to serve as the default coordinate system of the new component.

Component Operations

How to Create a Component in an Assembly 1. Select ASSEMBLY > Component > Create. The Component Create dialog box appears. 2. Select the type of component (and the sub-type, if applicable). 3. Enter the name for the new component. 4. Click OK. The Creation Options dialog box appears if you are creating a part, a subassembly, or a skeleton model. 5. Select options based on the kind of component that you want to create. (See the following sections for more information.)

Component Operations

3-5

Creating Parts or Subassemblies


The Creation Options dialog box displays several methods you can use to create parts or assemblies within the context of an assembly. You can copy from an existing start component, copy from another component, locate default datums for the component, or create an empty component.

Start Components
A start component is a standard component which you can copy to create new parts or assemblies. Start components may contain relations, layers, views and parameters subject to the following conditions: A start part should not have any external dependencies. A start assembly should contain only assembly features.

When copying from a start component, Pro/ENGINEER allows you to browse your directory structure from the Look In list and select a part or assembly to copy from, as appropriate. Set the start_model_dir configuration file option to specify a complete path to the directory where start parts and assemblies can be stored. Then, when selecting a start component to copy from, the File Open dialog box will look in this directory by default. Note: 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.

The Copy from Existing Option


You can specify a component to copy on-the-fly and place the copy in the assembly immediately. Click Browse to survey the Start Model Directory or the directory structure for the component you want to use. If you create a part by copying from another part that has a layout declared to it, you must confirm that you would like to declare that layout to the newly created copied part as well. Otherwise, the system does not copy the layout declarations to the newly created part.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

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. Note: Start assemblies, which you can use to create a new subassembly using the Copy option, can contain assembly-level data (such as features, parameters, and layers), but may not contain components or a skeleton model.

The Locate Default Datums Option


This option allows you to select references from the assembly which will be used to place the newly created component. The system will create Mate Offset and Align Offset constraints to locate the default datum planes of the new component relative to the selected assembly references. Component Operations The Locate Datums Method window displays three options for selection: Three Planes, AxisNormalToPlane, and AlignCsysToCsys. Using Three Planes, you select three orthogonal datum planes from the assembly, to which the default datum planes of the newly created component will be assembled. Using AxisNormalToPlane, you select a single datum plane and an axis that is normal to it. The system then creates a new part or subassembly with a datum plane and an axis, which it uses to place the new component with respect to the rest of the assembly. Using AlignCsysToCsys, you select a coordinate system in the top-level assembly. The system then creates a new part or subassembly with a default coordinate system and default datum planes. which it uses to place the new component relative to the rest of the assembly.

How to Create a Component with Locate Default Datums 1. Select ASSEMBLY > Component > Create, then either Part > Solid > OK or Subassembly > OK from the Component Create dialog box. The Creation Options dialog box appears. 2. Select Locate Default Datums and one of the options under the Locate Datums Method box.

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3. Select references from the assembly according to the method you used (either three orthogonal planes, a plane and an axis, or a coordinate system). The system creates a new part or assembly with default datums and places you in feature creation mode. 4. Define features for the new component, which will automatically use the default datum planes for their references. If you used either the Three Planes or the AxisNormalToPlane option, the sketching plane is the first plane that you selected. If you used the AlignCsysToCsys option, you must select the sketching plane. 5. Once you create a feature or quit its creation, the system places the new part in the assembly the way that its default planes are mated (by Mate Offset with zero offsets) to the selected references in the assembly. In the case of AxisNormalToPlane, the system also aligns the component axis with the selected assembly axis. 6. You can use the Mod Dim option to modify the value of the offsets in the placement constraints, or redefine the component placement constraints entirely.

The Empty option


You can create a part or subassembly without any geometry and it appears in the Model Tree window. If you save the top-level assembly, the system saves this empty component also. When you define empty components within the context of an assembly, the system places them in the default location of their parent assemblies (using the Default constraint type). These components are constrained so that, once they have some geometry, they can be referenced by other components. Once you have created an empty component within an assembly, you can create default datum planes by retrieving the empty part or subassembly into a separate window and choosing Feature, Create, Datum, and Plane. You can also fill these components (see Modifying Parts within Assemblies on page 4 - 10). Note: When you fill an empty component with features that reference the existing assembly, you can no longer redefine the placement of the component.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Creating Parts
The following sections describe additional ways to create parts in the context of an assembly. You can create an initial feature dependent on the assembly, create a part from an intersection of existing components, or mirror an existing component.

The Create First Feature Option


This option appears in the Creation Options dialog box for parts but not for subassemblies.You can create the geometry of the new part by referencing existing geometry within the assembly. How to Create a Component with Create First Feature 1. Select ASSEMBLY > Component > Create, then Part > Solid > OK from the Component Create dialog box. The Creation Options dialog box appears. 2. Select Create First Feature. 3. Select the class of feature that you want to create. 4. Specify a sketching plane and a sketching reference from the existing geometry of the assembly to create the geometry of the new part. Note: The newly created component will have external dependencies to the assembly, and therefore you will not be able to redefine its placement. Component Operations

The Intersect Option


You can create parts in Assembly mode by intersecting several existing components.These parts do not need to have the same units of measure. You can also modify existing parts in an assembly by intersecting them with another part. When working with a part created from an intersection, keep in mind the following: You cannot move the resulting part. You cannot use harness parts to create a part by intersection. You cannot retrieve the part until the assembly to which it belongs is in memory.

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How to Create a Part from an Intersection 1. Select ASSEMBLY > Component > Create, then Part > Intersect > OK from the Component Create dialog box. 2. Select parts to intersect. The new part represents the common volume of selected components.

How to Trim an Existing Part in an Assembly to a Volume Common with Another Part 1. Choose Modify > Mod Part, then select one part in the assembly. 2. Choose Feature > Create > Solid > Intersect. 3. Select a second part with which to intersect the first part (you can access this option only in Assembly mode).

The Mirror Option


Use the Part > Mirror option in the Component Create dialog box to create a part that is a mirror of another. You can mirror only one part at a time, and you can only mirror parts. Mirroring a Part
Mirror plane.

Select this part.

You can regenerate the mirrored (new) part in Part mode and place it into other assemblies. However, if you used the Reference option to mirror the part, the system always retrieves the part from which it was created (if you used Copy, it does not retrieve the original part). If the part references another component, or if it uses an assembly datum, the system also retrieves the assembly and any referenced components. It is good practice to mirror about a plane belonging to the part to be mirrored.

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How to Mirror a Part 1. Choose Component > Create; then choose Part and Mirror in the Component Create dialog box. 2. Enter a name for the new part. The MIRROR PART menu displays the following options: ReferenceReferences the second part to obtain its information. When the referenced part changes, the mirrored part changes. CopyCopies all the features and relations of the original part into the mirrored part. The mirrored part then becomes a separate, unrelated object.

3. Choose Reference or Copy, and select a member to mirror; then select or create the mirror plane.

Creating Skeleton Models


A skeleton model is a specialized component of an assembly that defines skeletal, space claim, and other physical properties that you can use to define geometry of components. The skeleton model of the assembly is exactly what its name suggests; it is the behind-the-scenes backbone of the assembly. You can use skeleton models to manage the references of their respective assemblies, or to represent space claims for them. Additionally, you can use them to perform motion analysis on an assembly by creating references from assembly components to the skeleton model and then changing the skeleton model to imitate motion. Pro/ENGINEER suggests a default name for the skeleton model (assemname_skel.prt, where assemname is the name of the assembly in which the skeleton model is created), but you can assign another name to it. Upon creation or assembly, the system automatically places the skeleton model in the assembly as its first component. You can only create or assemble one skeleton model per assembly and one skeleton model for each subassembly. A skeleton model is comparable to a component of an assembly, in that it has most of the properties of a normal part. It has features, layers, simplified representations, relations, views, and so on. However, a component color is not automatically assigned to a newly created or assembled skeleton. You may choose to exclude skeleton models from the Bill of Materials and from Drawings. Component Operations

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You can use skeleton models in drawings and can select them By Rule when managing simplified representations. A skeleton model appears in the Model Tree Window as the first component of the assembly to which it belongs, before any other feature or component of this assembly. A skeleton is represented by its own icon in the Model Tree window because it represents a different type of component of the assembly.

You can create or assemble skeleton models before or after creating components (for more information on assembling, see Assembling a Skeleton Model on page 2 - 30). However, if components or features already exist in the assembly when you define the skeleton model, the system inserts the newly created skeleton model before all components and assembly features, places it as the first component, and regenerates the assembly. You can then redefine the first nonskeletal component and locate it with respect to the skeleton model. Note: If Insert Mode is active, you cannot create the skeleton model. How to Create a Skeleton Model 1. Choose ASSEMBLY > Component > Create > Skeleton Model to create a skeleton model for the top-level assembly. or Choose ASSEMBLY > Modify > Mod Subasm and select a subassembly for which to create a skeleton. Then choose SUBMODEL > Component > Create > Skeleton Model to create the skeleton model. 2. Enter a name for the skeleton model or accept the default name suggested by the system. 3. Choose Copy from Existing and enter the name of a skeleton to be copied, or choose Empty to create an empty skeleton model in which you can create geometry later. The system creates the skeleton model and places it in the assembly and the Model Tree window. The Model Tree window for an assembly that contains a skeleton model is the same as the one that appears for regular assemblies except that skeleton models appear as the first node, regardless of when you created them. You can expand the skeleton model to show its features.

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References in an Assembly with Skeleton Models


You can freely create references between components in a subassembly with a skeleton model, as well as create references to the skeleton model itself; however, keep in mind the following restrictions: A part that references a skeleton model only informs Pro/PDM that it references the assembly, not the skeleton model. A skeleton model with an external reference only knows that it refers to an assembly that contains both itself and the referenced model. Pro/PDM cannot identify the referenced model. To fully regenerate a component (in a subassembly that has a skeleton model) that references another component in the same subassembly, you must retrieve both components and the subassembly.

Skeleton Models and Assembly Features


Component Operations Since the skeleton model geometry is not regular geometry of the assembly, it is not affected by assembly-level features. Assembly features such as cuts and holes do not intersect the skeleton model geometry. If you want to intersect the skeleton model with a cut, choose Modify then Mod Skel and select the skeleton model; then create a cut in the skeleton model.

Skeleton Models in Pro/REPORT


Pro/REPORT recognizes skeleton models as a type of assembly member (asm.mbr.type), so you can filter them 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.

Retrieving Skeleton Models Independently of an Assembly


You can retrieve skeleton models independently of the assembly by choosing Open from the File menu and specifying Part as the type and Skeleton Model as the subtype. You may save them independently of the assembly. Although you can perform operations on skeleton models independently of the assembly, you can create them only within the context of an assembly.

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Creating Bulk Items


You can use the Bulk Items option in the Component Create dialog box (or Component then Create in the Model Tree window pop-up menu) to create non-geometric assembly features that do not have representable geometry, but are nonetheless necessary and must be listed in the assembly BOM (for example, glue, paint, and solder). This option is available only if you have a Pro/ASSEMBLY license. When Pro/ENGINEER creates bulk items, it assigns feature numbers and feature ID numbers to them, but they do not have any geometry. When you create a bulk item, the system automatically creates a part file, with a .prt extension, that contains the bulk item information. It always retrieves bulk item parts with the corresponding assembly, but you cannot select them in an assembly or retrieve them in Part mode. The contents of the part appear in the BOM, information, and report processing. How to Add Component or Part Parameters to Bulk Items 1. Choose ASSEMBLY > Set Up > Parameters > Component|Part > Sel By Menu; then select the item by number, ID, or name. 2. Choose Create to add a parameter to the bulk item or Designate to define parameter symbols for the bulk item. Using the following report parameters, you can list bulk items in Pro/REPORT repeat regions for component parameters: asm.mbr.name asm.mbr.type asm.mbr.cparams.name asm.mbr.cparams.value

To list bulk items in Pro/REPORT repeat regions for part parameters, you can use these report parameters: asm.mbr.param.name asm.mbr.param.value

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Redefining Component Constraints


To redefine a component, you can use the pop-up menu in the Model Tree Window or from the COMPONENT menu, choose Redefine. You can redefine components in a simplified representation that have not been substituted or excluded in the current representation. For more information, see the chapter Simplified Representations. When redefining component placement, you can select datums or make them on the fly (see Creating Datum Planes for Placement Constraints on page 2 - 14). How to Redefine Component Constraints Using the Model Tree 1. Using the left mouse button, select the assembly or a component in the Model Tree Window. 2. Press the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu. 3. Choose Redefine. The Component Placement dialog box appears. Follow the procedure described in the next section. For more information about the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2. How to Redefine Component Constraints Using the Component Menu 1. Choose Component > Redefine; then select the component to redefine. The Component Placement window appears. 2. Choose one of the following: To remove a placement constraint, click on the constraint, then choose Remove. The system deletes the selected constraint from the current list and updates the message in the Component Display Window. You may need to add a new constraint. To add a new constraint to the current list, choose Add. The highlight box in the Component Placement window scrolls to the line following the current placement constraints and the Type list appears. For details of this procedure, see Assembling a Component Parametrically on page 2 - 4. To select a constraint for redefinition, click on the constraint in the Constraints window.

Component Operations

Component Operations

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3. For each constraint, choose what to redefine using the following options: TypeChanges the constraint type to any reasonable type for the assembly (for example, Align to Align Offset).

Note: You can only change the type for the following constraints: Align, Align Offset, Mate, Mate Offset, and Orient (you can change any of these constraints to any of the others in this list). Assembly ReferenceSpecifies a new assembly reference (for example, changes the surface on the assembly to which you are going to align the component). Component ReferenceSpecifies a new component reference for a placed component (for example, changes which surface on the component you are going to align with the assembly).

4. After you choose the appropriate options, choose OK. Note: You can also use the Move options, but if the component has children, you must fully constrain the component before exiting the interface.

Translating and Rotating Components


Once you have parametrically placed a component in the assembly, you can move it with respect to a coordinate system. How to Move a Component with Respect to a Coordinate System 1. Choose Modify > Mod Assem > Move. Select or create an assembly coordinate system. 2. Select the component(s) to move; then choose Done Sel. 3. Choose Translate or Rotate from the MOVE menu. Select the axis about which to translate/rotate the component. 4. Enter the distance of translation along the selected direction, or the angle of rotation about the selected axis.

Using Datums
You can also assemble the component to a datum plane. To translate a component, use an offset datum; to rotate it, use an angle datum. 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.

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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.

Replacing Components
You can replace components (parts and subassemblies) in an assembly selectively. This enables you to create families, or multiple instances, of assemblies by mixing parts of different shapes and sizes. From the ASSEMBLY menu, choose Component, then Adv Utils, then Replace and use the Replace Component dialog box to select any member of an assembly and replace it with any other. If the two members are unrelated by family tables, layouts, or interchange assemblies, you must manually reposition the replacement component and any components that were assembled to the original part. There are three advanced methods to set up parts and assemblies for replacement. These methods designate similar constraints and references that enable replacement. You can create functional interchange assemblies to collect groups of components that have the same engineering function (for more information, see the chapter Interchange Assemblies). You can create family tables (for more information, see the chapter Family Tables in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). You can also declare layouts to automate the entire replacement process (for more information, see the chapter Layouts). You can replace more than one component at a time in an assembly. Either multiple occurrences of a single component can be replaced by a single component, or multiple components can be replaced by multiple unique components. How to Replace Components in an Assembly 1. Choose Component > Adv Utils > Replace. 2. Choose REPLACE COMP > Add to designate members in the following step as those to be replaced, or REPLACE COMP > Remove to designate members to be taken off the replace list. Note: Choose REPLACE COMP > Undo Last to cancel the previous addition or removal of a member. Component Operations

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3. Select one of the following options from the SELECT MDL menu to designate the member or members to replace: Pick MdlUse the standard Pro/ENGINEER selection dialog to choose a member, or click the left mouse button on the name of the member in the Model Tree window. From/ToClick the left mouse button on the first member in the model tree you want to replace, then click on the last member that you want to replace. All members listed between the first and the last are selected. By RuleAllows you to designate a rule to use for selection. For more detail on rules, see Using Rules for Selection in a Simplified Representation on page 6 - 13. In ZoneSelects a previously defined zone. Model NameSelects a component based on the model name. SizeSpecifies the absolute or relative value of the size of the model based on the length of the diagonal of the bounding box. DistanceSelects all components within a sphere at a certain distance from a given point or from the center point of a given component. ExpressionSpecifies a logical expression containing designated parameters from assembly components (for information on using relations, see the chapter Relations in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER).

The system highlights the selected member. Note: You can also position the cursor in the Model Tree over the name of a single member to replace, press the right mouse button, and select Replace. Use the Shift/Ctrl key with the right mouse button in the Model Tree to select multiple members to replace. The Replace Component dialog box appears.

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The Replace Component Dialog Box

4. Click one of the options from the Replace Component dialog box (only the options that are applicable for the selected member will be available; the others will be greyed out): By Family Table MemberReplaces the model with a family table member. By Interchange AssemblyReplaces the model with an equivalent member in a functional interchange assembly. By LayoutReplaces the model with a component that has declared references. When you type in the component filename, automatic assembly is available if you have set up layout declarations for the placement references. When replacing a component that has children of its own, through a layout, the system does not automatically reassemble its children (for more information, see Recovery Options on page 4 - 24). ManuallyReplaces the model with a component you select and positions that component manually. After you select the component file, constrain the new component manually using the Component Placement dialog box. Component Operations

The system always tries to assemble the component automatically. If it is unable to do so, it keeps as many constraints as possible. 5. Select Browse to search for and select a model. (You cannot enter a replacement model name manually.) 6. Click Apply to activate the replacement.

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If you select additional models to be replaced, and the previously selected replacing model can be used to replace them, it will be applied by default. You also can specify a new replacing model.

Copying Components
To create multiple independent instances of components in an assembly, you can use the Copy command in the ADV COMP UTL menu. The Copy command uses a coordinate system as the basis for translating or rotating the components. You must modify, replace, or delete the copied components one at a time. Note: When you modify a component, all dimensions used to place the component appear for modification Each component has its own coordinate system, but the system assembles copies of the component into an assembly coordinate system. For example, when copying a component rotationally, Pro/ENGINEER does not rotate each copy around the coordinate system of the copied member; it rotates the copy around the coordinate system of the assembly. Generally, members use the same dimensioning references as the leader. Rotate the component (leader and all members) around the coordinate system of the assembly first; then translate (move) it. How to Copy a Component 1. After assembling the component, choose Component > Adv Utils > Copy. 2. Create or select an assembly coordinate system. 3. Select the component(s) to copy. The EXIT menu and TRANS DIR menu appear. 4. Specify the moves using the following 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 you can specify a maximum of three directions. TranslatePatterns the component in the direction of the specified axis. RotatePatterns the component about the specified axis.

If you choose Rotate, the ROTATE DIR menu appears. Choose X Axis, Y Axis, or Z Axis from the TRANS DIR menu or the ROTATE DIR menu.

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5. As you finish each set of moves, choose Done Move from the EXIT menu. 6. Specify the number of instances to create along this direction and repeat steps 4 and 5 to define the next copy direction. Continue this process until you have placed all copies. 7. Choose Done from the EXIT menu to execute all the moves.

Copying Geometric and Datum References


Using the Copy Geom feature, you can easily copy geometric and datum references from any other component (skeleton, part, or assembly) onto a selected component. You can also create Copy Geom features as assembly features. When you reference a subassembly for a Copy Geom feature, you can only reference the top-level assembly features of the subassembly. Each Copy Geom feature may only copy references from a single skeleton or part or assembly, but you can create any number of Copy Geom features in a model. You can specify a default layer name for Copy Geom features using the layer_copy_geom type option in the configuration file option def_layer (see the section Default Layers in the chapter Layers in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). How to Create a Copy Geom Feature 1. Choose Feature > Create > Geometry > CopyGeom. The Copy Geometry dialog box appears. Note: The CopyGeom command is available for assemblies, parts, and skeleton models. Copy Geometry Dialog Box

Component Operations

Component Operations

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2. Select an element from the dialog box to define as follows: Choose Surface Refs > Define to select surfaces to add (for more information about the surface collection user interface, see Drafts in the chapter Tweak Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide). Choose Edge Refs > Define to select edges to add (for more information about the edge collection user interface, see Chamfers in the chapter Construction Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide). Choose Curve Refs > Define to select curves to add (for more information about the curve collection user interface, see Chamfers in the chapter Construction Features and Blend in the chapter Sweeps, Blends, and Advanced Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide). Choose Feature Refs > Define to add geometry items. The
GCPY ITEMS menu appears.

Choose Add, select a feature type from the COPY REF TYPE menu, then pick the feature on the screen. You can include a previously defined Copy Geom or PublishGeom feature from another part by choosing CopyGeomFeat from the COPY REF TYPE menu and then selecting the features to be included. In a new Copy Geom feature that has an existing Copy Geom feature in it, you can include other geometric types. Choose Publish Geom > Add to select a previously defined Publish Geom feature. Only one Publish Geom reference can be included into the Copy Geom feature. When a Publish Geom reference is selected, other references cannot be made and vice versa.

3. The new Copy Geom feature you are creating is dependent by default; that is, if you change the original part from which you copied geometry, the geometry in the Copy Geom feature is updated accordingly. To break the dependency, select Dependency > Independent. The system temporarily suspends the relationship between the Copy Geom feature and the original geometry. If you change the original part, this Copy Geom feature will not change. To establish dependency again, choose Dependency > Dependent from this menu. 4. Choose OK. Click the Info command button to display an Information Window containing information about the copied reference.

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Copying All References for a Copy Geom Feature


When you create a Copy Geom feature, there are two types of geometry copied: explicitly copied geometry and implicitly copied geometry. With every geometry reference you select (that is, explicitly copy), some implicitly copied geometry also joins the feature. For example, if you select a surface for your Copy Geom feature, the surface itself is explicitly copied and the edges of the surface are implicitly copied. If you reference any implicitly copied geometry of a Copy Geom feature, then reroute the Copy Geom feature, the reference will fail, because the geometry will no longer be available. Therefore, you should make sure that you explicitly copy (select) all pertinent geometry in a Copy Geom feature. Otherwise you may need to redefine features which reference implicitly copied geometry. Note: If you copy (via CopyGeom) some geometry that exists on a layer in the original part, and the part to which the geometry is being copied has a layer with the same name, then the geometry will be placed on that layer. Component Operations

When References Are Missing


When the original geometry that was copied is missing (for example, it was deleted or suppressed), a dependent Copy Geom feature fails the regeneration. You can then redefine it and select a replacement reference. You can also use the Make Indep command in the QUICK RESOLVE menu to make the Copy Geom feature independent so that it no longer depends on the original geometry, and, therefore, is not affected by any missing references. However, you can prevent these features from failing when a reference is missing. If you set the configuration file option fail_ref_copy_when_missing_orig to no (the default is yes), during regeneration the system automatically freezes any copied geometry for which the original is missing, preventing the Copy Geom feature from failing. The system displays a warning instead.

The Reference Status Column in the Model Tree Window


In the Copied Refs column of the Model Tree Window, the system displays the status of references for all Copy Geom features in all components in the assembly. It also shows the status of any local copies of external references that have been created due to reference control settings (see Handling Out-of-Scope External References on page 8 - 7).

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How to Add a Copied Refs Column to the Model Tree Window 1. Choose Tree > Columns > Add/Remove > Copied Refs; then choose the right arrow command button to add Copied Refs to the current list of columns. 2. Choose OK to close the dialog box. The new column now appears in the Model Tree Window. You can expand and collapse the Model Tree Window, and the system updates the reference status column accordingly. ActiveThe parent component of the referenced entity is in session and the referenced entity exists. FrozenThe parent component of the referenced entity is not in session, and, therefore, the references are frozen. SuppressedThe parent component of the referenced entity is in session and some of the referenced entities are suppressed. MissingThe parent component is in session, and some of the referenced entities are missing. IndependentThere is no dependency between the Copy Geom feature and the referenced entities in the parent component. The Copy Geom feature references are temporarily frozen and are not updated to the referenced entities.

Publishing Geometry
You can create a set of independent geometry references in a component that you can use again. These are known as PublishGeom features, and they can be referenced by the CopyGeom functionality.

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How to Create a Publish Geom Feature 1. Choose Feature > Create > Geometry > Publish Geom. The Publish Geom dialog box appears.

2. Select an element to define. Follow the same procedure as in copying geometry (see Copying Geometric and Datum References on page 3 - 21).

Component Operations

Merging and Cutting Out Components


Using the Merge and Cut Out commands in the ADV COMP UTL menu, you can add or subtract the material of one set of parts to or from another set of parts, after you have placed them together in an assembly. The Merge command adds the material from every one of the second set of parts selected into every one of the first set of parts. Depending on the additional options available, you can copy the features and relations of the second set of parts into each of the first set of parts or reference them by the first set of parts. This procedure creates the feature called merge. The Cut Out command subtracts the material of every one of the second set of parts selected from every one of the first set of parts. Like Merge, depending on the additional options selected, you can copy the features and relations of the second set of parts into the first set of parts or reference them by the first set of parts. This procedure creates the feature called cutout.

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Use Query Sel to pick a merged part during assembly modification. The first set of parts in the assembly contains those parts you are going to modify, add material to, or remove material from. This set also contains the first parts that you selected when creating the merged or cut out part. The second set of parts contains the geometry that you are going to add to or remove from the first set of parts. This set also contains the second parts that you selected during this process. When the parts you are merging have different accuracies, a message appears indicating the accuracy of the new part, up to a maximum of six decimal places. To undo or remove merges or cut outs, delete the merge/cutout features in the first set of parts. Note: If you merge parts using the Merge or Cut Out options, mirroring geometry, or adding assembly features, the system does not show the geometric tolerances attached to the merged model dimensions in the drawing.

Restrictions on the Merge and Cut Out Process


The parts used in a merge or cutout process must meet the following restrictions. The first part cannot be one of the following: An assembly datum plane A subassembly An instance of a generic part (copy the part instance to another name and use the copy) A sheet metal part

The second part cannot be one of the following: An assembly datum plane A subassembly The same part as part 1 (itself) Part of an assembly pattern

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In addition to the above restrictions, the following rules apply: If the second part references assembly members other than part 1, the assembly must be in session in order for the system to update the feature placement, and the second part must be attached to the assembly. The referenced part should only reference the part being cut out. If it references other components in the assembly, the system creates a reference assembly. If you then attempt to retrieve the merged or cut out part without the reference assembly in session, it warns you that it cannot update feature placement. If you place the second part into the assembly using the Coord Sys command in the Place menu, all the references of the assembly coordinate system used for placement must belong to the first 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. Component Operations You must assemble the parts explicitly; you cannot use a part if you assembled it using packaging options. After you make a cut out, delete the second part or suppress it from the assembly to immediately view the new part. If the first feature of a merged 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 merged part. Features that you have 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 you apply shrinkage by dimension to the reference model used in a cut out procedure, the model containing the cut out feature does not reflect the shrinkage dimensions. The system uses the original dimensions (before it applies shrinkage).

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Merge and Cut Out Procedure


The merge and cut out processes are exactly the same. To do either process, you use the same method. How to Merge or Cut Out Two Parts in an Assembly 1. Choose Component > Adv Utils > Merge or Cut Out. 2. Select the first set of parts. Choose Done Sel. 3. Select the second set of parts. Choose Done Sel. 4. For each combination of parts from the first set and second set, the OPTIONS menu appears. Choose the options for that specific combination of parts. ReferenceReferences the second part to obtain its information. When the referenced part changes, the merged or cut out part changes. CopyCopies all the features and relations of the second part into the first. No DatumsDoes not include datums of the second part in the merged part (available for merge by reference only). Copy DatumsIncludes the datums belonging to the second part in the merged part.

5. Choose Done. Note: After you assemble components before performing a cutout procedure, hidden line removal may not function as you expect. If the assembly components physically intersect, one or both of them may not appear correctly. If this occurs, you have not placed them correctly.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Creating a Cut Out Part

1st part

2nd part

Component Operations

the parts explicitly assembled

cut out part after deleting/suppressing 2nd part

Using the Reference Menu Option


When you merge or cut out using the Reference option, the system places the second member into the merged part by referencing the original second part used in the assembly. When using the Reference option, keep in mind the following: The system reflects all eventual changes to the referenced part in the merged part. You cannot directly modify the features of the second member of the merged part, with the exception of the placement dimensions. However, you can modify them using Query Sel (see Modifying Merged and Cutout Reference Part in the chapter Modifying the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide); the system then automatically reflects all the modifications in the reference part. You can redefine the second member of the merged part so that you can replace it with another instance of the family table.

Component Operations

3 - 29

If you delete or suppress the geometry in a referenced part that places the reference member in the merged part, during the next regeneration of the merged part, the system places the member using the last successful placement, and it warns you that it cannot update feature placement. When you resume the suppressed geometry, it restores parametric placement. If you have deleted or renamed a referenced part (see also next point), or it does not exist in the current directory, the system retrieves the merged part with a warning Reference part partname is missing, and it does not regenerate it. (If you made a regeneration attempt and it failed, choose Quick Fix from the FIX MODEL menu; then choose Suppress from the QUICK FIX menu to suppress the corresponding merge member.) To correct the situation, locate and restore the referenced part. If a merged part is active in the current session, you can rename the referenced parts using the Rename command in the FILE menu, and the merged part updates its references. You cannot delete the referenced parts from memory. The system copies cosmetic feature geometry in the second part to the first part. Surface features that are outside a model show up in the model when a cut out is performed on components in an assembly. When saving a merged part, or defining a user-defined feature, the system automatically saves the parts referenced by the merged part.

Modifying a Part Referenced by a Merged or Cut Out Part

Modifying the second part, when referenced by the merged or cut out part, automatically reflects the change in the merged part.

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Using the Copy Menu Option


When you merge or cut out using the Copy command in the OPTIONS menu, you can modify all features of the merged part as in any other part; however, you should keep in mind two specific rules: Except for placement dimensions, you cannot dimension features within a merge member to features outside that member. Therefore, when modifying the scheme of a merged part, only those features within one merge member appear in the window. The system adds features of the second merge member to the end of the feature list of the first part. As a result, when you set a feature of the second merge member as read-only, all the features of the first merge member also become read-only.

Including Datums When you merge by reference, the No Datums and Copy Datums commands are available in the OPTIONS menu. You cannot modify included datums. For cut out by reference, the system excludes datums. For merge or cut out by copy, it always copies them, and they belong to the merge/cut out feature. When you choose No Datums, the system only excludes datum planes from the merge; it merges datum axes, datum points, and coordinate systems. Example of Merging by Reference To create the example shown in the following figure, you assemble Part A and then merge it with Part B using the Copy option. The new part A now has four features. Features that belonged to Part B are the copied features and form a merged member. This merged member behaves like a subpart. The features of Part B regenerate first and then intersect with the features of Part A. Note that the Thru All hole and cut that was copied does not extend through the original surfaces of Part A. Whenever a solid portion of one part intersects with a void (for example, a hole, cut, or slot) portion of another part, Pro/ENGINEER fills these areas with solid. However, if you now create a Thru 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. For example, you could merge the new Part A with Part C, using the Copy or Reference option.

Component Operations

Component Operations

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Merged Part Example

second part (B)

align

align

align

merged part

first part (A)

Other Component Procedures


Pro/ENGINEER treats components in an assembly very much like features in a part. Therefore, you can use these commands in the COMPONENT menu in exactly the same way you would in Part mode: DeleteDeletes a component from the assembly. SuppressSuppresses components from active memory. When you retrieve an assembly, the system does not retrieve suppressed components at all. This saves time and memory when working with large assemblies. Suppressed components do not appear in mass properties and cross-sections, and you cannot store them (when using the Save As or Backup option). For more information, see Suppressing and Resuming Features in the chapter Modifying the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide. When you suppress an assembly feature or component that has children, the CHILD menu appears with the Freeze command available for the highlighted child. The system always locates frozen components at the old placement until it can regenerate them successfully, either by resuming the parent, redefining the placement, or rerouting the child. The CHILD menu appears for each child of the suppressed feature/component.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

ResumeResumes suppressed components and assembly features. RerouteRespecifies the placement references of a component. You reroute a component in the same way as a regular feature reroute (see Rerouting Features in the chapter Modifying the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide). You cannot reroute components that were created in Assembly mode. ReorderReorders the occurrence of a component in an assembly. The procedure is the same as for feature reorder (see Reordering Features in the chapter Modifying the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide). Insert ModePlaces components at an earlier location in the component regeneration list. Del PatternRemoves all instances of a patterned component except the pattern leader (for more information, see Deleting a Pattern in the chapter Patterning Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide). Component Operations

In addition, you can use the Group and UDF Library commands (available in the ADV COMP UTL menu) in the same way you would use them in Part mode. Use Group to create a user-defined group of components and features. Use UDF Library to access commands to define, modify, and manipulate user-defined features (UDFs). However, there are some restrictions for using these commands in Assembly mode (for more information, see Copying Features in the chapter Copying Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide).

Component Operations

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4
Assembly Operations

This chapter discusses several ways you can modify an assembly, and describes how to move components within an assembly. Topic Assigning Names to Components Renaming Components Navigating an Assembly Ways to Modify an Assembly Assembly Features Restructuring Assembly Components Regeneration Page 4-2 4-2 4-3 4-6 4 - 10 4 - 19 4 - 21

4-1

Assigning Names to Components


You can give components in an assembly names that are easily recognizable. You can use the same procedure to rename the components. How to Assign a Name to a Component 1. Choose Set Up > Name > Component. 2. Select the component to name and enter the new name. Pro/ENGINEER uses this name in both the model tree and in selection by menu. It does not rename the component in the database. Note: You can also name a component by entering a name in the Feat Name column of the Model Tree window.

Renaming Components
Using the Rename command in the File menu, you can rename a component in an assembly if both the assembly and the component are active in memory. How to Rename a Component in an Assembly 1. Make sure the component is active in memory (you have retrieved it into the current session). 2. Choose File > Rename. 3. In the Model menu, select the current name of the component. 4. Select either Rename in session or Rename on disk and in session then enter the new name. 5. Regenerate the assembly. 6. Save the assembly before exiting Pro/ENGINEER. If you rename the component on disk but do not save the assembly before you exit, reconstruction of the assembly in the next session fails and the message Cannot retrieve appears in the Message Window. In this case: 1. Choose Fix Model > Component > Adv Utils > Replace > Failed Feat. The Open dialog box appears. 2. Select the new name for the component.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

3. Specify the placement constraints and assemble the component using the Component Placement dialog box. For more information, see Placement Constraint Principles on page 2 - 14 to complete the assembly reconstruction manually. 4. Save the assembly with the new name of the component before exiting Pro/ENGINEER.

Navigating an Assembly
You can modify the assembly at the top level, the subassembly level, or the part level. Whenever the system prompts you to select a component, you can do so in two ways: Use assembly navigation Select specific components by name

When you assign a name to a component using the ASSEM SETUP menu (as described in Assigning Names to Components on page 4 - 2), the name you assign appears in the NAVIGATE ASM menu along with the original model name. For example, if one of the components in your assembly is a bolt, the system assigns it the name bolt.prt. If you then proceed to add more bolts to your assembly, the component name bolt.prt only appears once in the NAVIGATE ASM menu, regardless of how many bolts you actually add. If you choose that name from the list, the system highlights each bolt, one at a time, until you confirm that it has selected the one that you want. However, if you assign particular component names to each of the bolts using the ASSEM SETUP menu (for example, bolt1, bolt2, and so on), those names appear in the NAVIGATE ASM menu along with the original model name (in this case, bolt.prt). If you know the specific component that you want, you can choose its name from the menu. If you are not certain, you can use the assembly navigation method. How to Navigate Through the Assembly or Subassembly 1. Choose Sel By Menu from the GET SELECT menu. The NAVIGATE ASM menu appears. 2. Select the model name from the list (the name you had given it when the system originally prompted you to name it during creation).

Assembly Operations

Assembly Operations

4-3

3. The system highlights every occurrence of that model, one at a time. Confirm the selection by choosing Accept, or choose Next to keep moving from one model to another until the system selects the specific one that you want. How to Select a Specific Component by Name 1. Choose Sel By Menu from the GET SELECT menu. The NAVIGATE ASM menu appears. 2. Choose the name of the component from the list (the particular name you gave it using the ASSEM SETUP menu). The system highlights the component. The current model that contains that component is not highlighted automatically, but you can choose HiliteCurMdl to highlight it. When you select a model, that model is highlighted. If the current model and the top-level assembly are the same, the top-level assembly is not highlighted, and the menu command corresponding to it is dimmed. Note: Use Query Sel to pick a merged part during assembly modification.

Assembly Features Created Prior to Release 15.0


When retrieving assemblies created prior to Release 15.0, you can use the ReIntersect command in the ASSY FEAT menu to update old style assembly features to the Release 15.0 style assembly features and remove unnecessary external references. The ReIntersect command is only available in the ASSY FEAT menu if you have set the configuration file option allow_redo_intersections to yes. If you set it to no (the default), ReIntersect is not available. Before reintersecting, the system displays an Information Window, warning you that children not in session may fail regeneration and instructing you to retrieve all models and drawings into session that reference the geometry created by the assembly feature. Pro/ENGINEER detects when a remnant of an assembly feature intersection exists and displays a second Information Window. A remnant is geometry that an assembly feature creates that is not in session. A possible cause of remnants is that assembly features are visible in the assemblies being re-intersected, but these features were created in a higher-level assembly or one that is in a different assembly tree. Another possible cause is that part or assembly files have been manipulated in the operating system without using Pro/ENGINEER or Pro/PDM.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

The system message in the Information Window describes possible causes and lists the particular assemblies that have intersection remnants. You can only remove remnant geometry if you have set the configuration file option fix_refs_to_intersections to yes (no is the default value). Assembly Tree
Assembly feature created in Top-Level Assembly 1 that is visible in the Subassembly.

To reintersect properly, you must reintersect Top-Level Assembly 1 with all references to the assembly feature geometry that is visible in the subassembly in session.

Top-Level Assembly 1

Top-Level Assembly 2

Part 1

Subassembly

Subassembly

Part 4

Assembly Operations

Part 2

Part 3

Part 2

Part 3

How to Update Assembly Feature Intersections in an Assembly 1. Choose ReIntersect from the ASSY FEAT menu. The RE INTR menu displays the following options: AllUpdates intersections of all assembly features in the assembly. Sel PartUpdates intersections of all assembly features intersecting selected parts. InfoDisplays an Information Window listing all assembly features in the assembly.

2. Choose All or Sel Part.

Assembly Operations

4-5

3. Select the assembly or a component of it. Before reintersecting, the system displays an Information Window. The message warns you that children not in session are going to fail regeneration and instructs you to retrieve all models into session that reference the geometry created by the assembly feature. 4. 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, and all intersections are updated. 5. If remnants of assembly feature intersections exist, the system displays another Information Window. The message warns you that remnants exist, describes possible causes, and lists the particular assemblies that have intersection remnants. If you choose Cancel, it does not remove remnants and some of the intersections may not be updated to the current style. Remove the remnants by choosing Confirm. 6. Once the intersections are updated, save all the models. If you create a Release 15.0 style assembly feature, and then attempt to intersect a part that is already intersected by an assembly feature created in an old style (prior to Release 15.0), the system then creates an old style assembly feature consistent with the style previously used to intersect the part. You must then use the ReIntersect command to update the intersections. Note: You cannot intersect a part with two assembly features of different styles (for example, Release 13.0 style and Release 15.0 style). The system cannot mix intersection styles.

Ways to Modify an Assembly


You can modify dimension values of every component in an assembly. You can also choose a single part within an assembly and add, modify, or delete features. When you make a modification to a component in Assembly mode, the instance is updated automatically in Part and Drawing modes. To modify an assembly or any part in an assembly, choose Modify from the ASSEMBLY menu to display the ASSEM MOD menu with the following options: Mod PartEnables you to make a change in the assembly at the part level.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Mod SkelEnables you to make a change to the assembly at the skeleton level. Mod AssemEnables you to make a change at the assembly level. Mod SubasmEnables you to modify subassembly features and offset dimensions.

Modifying Dimensions
Using the Mod Dim command in the ASSEM MOD menu, you can display and change dimensions of any or all parts in an assembly. To modify a feature within a part, select the feature to modify, select the dimension, and enter a new value. Note that you can only display the dimensions in one window at a time (that is, you cannot display the dimensions of a part feature in a part window and an assembly window at the same time). Use Mod Assem to modify assembly placement options (such as Mate Offset and Align Offset). You must use the Regenerate command to update the modified parts after you make dimensional modifications. You may select individual parts to regenerate; however, the parts chosen this way will be regenerated in the order in which they were chosen (see Regeneration on page 4 - 21 for more information).

Modifying Subassemblies
Using the Mod Subasm command in the ASSEM MOD menu, you can modify subassembly features and offset dimensions directly in whatever window the subassembly currently displays. When you select the feature or dimension to modify, the SUBMODEL menu displays the following options: ComponentManipulates assembly components using the COMPONENT menu. You can use the Copy, Merge, and Cut Out commands only in the top-level assembly. FeatureManipulates assembly features using the ASSY FEAT menu. ModifyModifies assembly or component dimensions and features. Design MgrAccesses tools to manage assembly design.

Assembly Operations

Assembly Operations

4-7

RegenerateUpdates modified part and assembly dimensions. Displays the PRT TO REGEN menu to select individual parts to regenerate or to instruct the system to regenerate all necessary parts automatically. RelationsDisplays the MODEL REL and RELATIONS menus to edit parametric labels and add or edit constraint equations. Family TabDisplays the FAMILY TABLE menu to edit the assembly family table or create assembly instances. InterfaceDisplays the INTERFACE menu. The Export command writes Pro/ENGINEER data to a file for such exporting processes as plotting, FEM, and IGES exchange. The Import command imports data into Pro/ENGINEER from IGES, DXF, SET, or STEP. Show ModelDisplays the model you are changing. Set UpSets up assembly mass properties using the ASSEM SETUP menu. LayerPerforms layer procedures using the LAYERS and SETUP LAYER menus. ProgramDisplays the PROGRAM menu to use Pro/PROGRAM capabilities.

Modifying Skeleton Models


Using the SKELTN OPER menu, you can modify an existing skeleton model in an assembly or subassembly. You can work on the skeleton model in the context of the assembly or in a separate subwindow, but only the features that belong to the skeleton actually appear in the subwindow. Note: The commands in the ADV COMP UTL menu 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. How to Modify an Existing Skeleton Model 1. Choose ASSEMBLY > Modify > Mod Skel; then choose a skeleton model to modify. The SKEL OPER menu appears.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

2. Choose one of the following options and proceed as you would for any other component: FeatureCreates, deletes, redefines, and manipulates skeleton model features. Displays the FEAT menu. ModifyModifies dimensions, dimension formats, and geometric tolerances. Displays the MODIFY menu. RegenerateUpdates skeleton models as specified. RelationsEnters the environment to view parametric labels, and add or edit constraint equations. InterfaceAccesses interface commands for importing and exporting. Set UpSets up units, parameters, notes, and reference dimensions. Displays the SKEL SETUP menu with the following options: UnitsSpecifies units to use (displays the MODEL UNITS menu). NameSpecifies names (displays the NAME SETUP menu). ParametersSpecifies parameters (displays the OBJ TYPES menu). NotesAdds, removes, or modifies notes associated with the skeleton model (displays the MODEL NOTES menu). Ref DimCreates reference dimensions (displays the REFDIM menu). DeclareDeclares a datum plane or axis to be related to a global datum plane or axis.

Assembly Operations

LayerSets up layer objects or operations. ProgramAccesses Pro/PROGRAM. X-sectionCreates a cross-sectional view. Displays the CROSS SEC menu. IntegrateResolves the differences between the source and the target skeleton models.

Assembly Operations

4-9

Modifying Parts within Assemblies


Using the Mod Part command in the ASSEM MOD menu, you can create, delete, suppress, and modify part features in Assembly mode. When you select the part, the MODIFY PART menu displays the following options: FeatureAdds a feature to the specified part in assembly mode (displays the PART FEAT menu). For more information, see the chapter Starting Out in Part Mode in the Part Modeling Users Guide. Modify DimModifies the dimensions of the specified part (displays the MODIFY menu). RegenerateRegenerates the specified part. LayerSets up layer objects for procedures (displays the LAYERS menu). For more information, see the chapter Layers in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER.

Creating and Deleting Part Features in Assembly Mode


Feature creation and deletion is the same as in Part mode except for a few rules specific to Assembly mode: You can only work on one part at a time. You select this part before feature modification begins, and it is the active part. All other parts in the assembly remain inactive until you complete feature modification. Features created cannot traverse parts. Feature creation only affects the active part. Datum planes and coordinate systems created using the MODIFY PART menu pertain to the active part. They are not assembly datums or coordinate systems.

Assembly Features
This section discusses how to create and modify assembly features, update old style assembly features, use assembly features in Part mode, and delete parts that assembly features intersect.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Using Basic Pro/ENGINEER


You can create assembly datum planes, axes and points, curves, and coordinate systems using the basic functionality of Pro/ENGINEER. These entities differ from those created in Part mode in the sense that they belong to the assembly and not to a certain part. The process of their creation is very much like that for Part mode. The following sections explain the differences and restrictions. Assembly datums are particularly useful for the following: Creating assembly cross-section views. Creating zones of the assembly (see Zones on page 6 - 18). Placing components at an offset or angle from other components (see Using Placement Constraints to Modify Component Positions on page 2 - 15). Creating a reference datum plane whose constraints go across two components.

Pro/ENGINEER labels them as ADTM# (for example, ADTM1, ADTM2, ADTM3), ACSYS#, APNT#, and so on. If you write relations using an assembly datum plane, the system stores them with the assembly. You can create assembly datum features at any time. If you have not yet placed the base component in the assembly, you can create three orthogonal datum planes using the ASSY FEAT menu (similar to Part mode, see Creating Datums as the Base Feature in the chapter Starting Out in Part Mode in the Part Modeling Users Guide) without creating a corresponding part in Part mode.

Assembly Operations

Using Pro/ASSEMBLY
If you have a Pro/ASSEMBLY license, you can create assembly features other than datum planes, such as the following: Subtractive features (hole, cut, slot) Pipe features Sketched cosmetic features User-defined features

Assembly Operations

4 - 11

When subtractive assembly-level features intersect a part in the assembly, the system automatically generates instances of the intersected components (parts and subassemblies). If you use system-generated names (the default), created instances are invisible in family tables, the BOM, and Integrate Difference Tables. Alternatively, you can name assembly feature component instances, and they are visible in family tables, the BOM, and Integrate Difference Tables. In either case, both the original and new instance models are in memory while the assembly feature is present.

Creating Assembly Features


To create assembly features, you can use the pop-up menu in the Model Tree Window or the Feature command in the ASSEMBLY menu. After you define the feature, the INTRSCT OPER menu appears. The system stores the information used to create assembly feature intersection geometry at whichever level the assembly feature intersection appears. When selecting components for an assembly feature to intersect, you can specify the level at which the intersection should be visible and select all components automatically. If you display the intersection at the assembly level, the assembly feature is only visible when you are in that assembly (the part is not affected). If you display the intersection at the part or subassembly level, the assembly feature is visible at that level and all levels above it.

By default, the system highlights the Assembly and Top Level commands in the VIS SETTINGS menu. If you use the default options, it stores all information in the top-level assembly. If you display the assembly feature in a lower-level assembly, the system creates an external reference to the top-level assembly (in the lower level assembly). After modifying an assembly feature, you can automatically remove all components that the feature no longer intersects. Note: Components selected for assembly intersections do not need to have the same type of length units.

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How to Create an Assembly Feature Using the ASSEMBLY Menu 1. Choose Feature > Create. 2. The FEAT CLASS menu appears. Choose the desired option; then define one of these features as you would in Part mode (for more information, see the chapter Feature Creation Basics in the Part Modeling Users Guide): Subtractive, pipe, and cosmetic features. You can define subtractive assembly features as Blind, Thru All, or UpTo (UpTo Pnt/Vtx, UpTo Curve, UpTo Surface). These depth commands only represent an intended maximum of the depth of the feature. The actual display of a feature depends on which parts you have selected for it to intersect. Datum features. When you create assembly datum curves at the intersection of surfaces, you must select assembly surfaces or features. You cannot reference part surfaces. User-defined features that do not add material.

Note: If you want an assembly feature to intersect all the parts eventually placed into an assembly, define it using the Thru All and Both Sides options; then add the parts to the intersection list that the assembly feature intersects. For subtractive features only, the INTRSCT OPER menu displays the following options: Add ModelSelects component(s) for an assembly feature to intersect. Remove ModelRemoves component(s) intersected by an assembly feature. Update IntrsAutomatically removes all components that the feature no longer intersects. Vis LevelChanges visibility level for an assembly feature intersection, and enables you to change the names of the intersected assembly component instances. ShowHighlights components for assembly features to intersect. InfoDisplays information about the current status of assembly feature intersections. Assembly Operations

Assembly Operations

4 - 13

3. If you want to make the assembly feature visible at a level other than the top-level assembly, choose Vis Level from the INTRSCT OPER menu (if you do not specify a level, the system makes the assembly feature visible at the top-level assembly). The VIS SETTINGS menu displays the following options: PartMakes the new feature visible wherever this version of the part is used, even outside of the current assembly (this is similar to creating a feature using Mod Part in the ASSEM MOD menu). AssemblyMakes the new feature visible at an assembly level (you must also choose Top Level or Select Level to specify which level of the assembly). The system creates an instance of the part to be intersected and replaces the model with the instance in the assembly. If the part belongs to a subassembly, it also creates an instance of the subassembly that contains the part instance. It always creates the assembly feature after it creates all part features of the intersected part. Top LevelDisplays the feature only at the top-level assembly and creates instances of intersected parts. Does not create external references. Select LevelSpecifies the assembly level at which you want to make the feature visible. The feature is visible at the selected level and at all higher levels. The system creates instances for all levels below the selected level. If the selected level is not the top-level assembly, it creates an external reference to the top-level assembly. Same NamesCreates the new instances with system-defined names. The instances are invisible in family tables, the BOM, and Integrate Difference Tables, and they do not function like regular family table instances. New NamesSpecifies names for the intersected component instances (if you do not enter a name for a subassembly model, the system uses the current name). Changes the name of the intersected component instance. The instances are visible in family tables, the BOM, and Integrate Difference Tables, and they function like any other family table instance.

4. Specify a level. 5. Choose Add Model from the INTRSCT OPER menu. The ADD OPER menu appears.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

6. To automatically select all of the components that the feature geometry intersects, choose Auto Sel; then choose Confirm from the CONFIRMATION menu. Note: If the system automatically selects a component that you do not want to include in the intersection, you can remove it using the Remove Model command in the INTRSCT OPER menu (see Adding and Removing Intersected Components on page 4 - 16). 7. To select the components manually for the assembly feature you want to intersect, choose Manual Sel from the ADD OPER menu. The assembly feature is highlighted. Select a component to intersect. The system creates the assembly feature intersection at the specified level. If you choose the New Names command from the VIS SETTINGS menu, an Information Window appears, listing the current name of the model to be intersected, the number of times the model appears in the assembly, and a place for the new instance name. In addition, the MODEL REPL menu displays these options: Select LevelSelects the assembly level at which the new names for the instances begin. The SEL MEMBER menu lists the levels. Enter NameSpecifies a new name for the instance to replace the current model name. Reset AllClears all replacement model names in the Information Window. Next LevelSwitches in the Information Window to the next level of the assembly. Prev LevelSwitches in the Information Window to the previous level of the assembly. Show LevelHighlights in magenta the model geometry in the Main Window that corresponds to the current assembly level selected in the Information Window. InfoDisplays the model information for the current assembly level. Assembly Operations

How to Enter Names for the Intersected Component Instances 1. Choose Vis Level > New Names > Done > Add Model. 2. Manually select the component. 3. An Information Window and the MODEL REPL menu appear. Choose Enter Name.

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4. Enter a new name for the component; then choose Done. 5. To assign new names to additional components, repeat Steps 2 through 4. You can also add parts for an existing assembly feature to intersect, or clear parts that it has already intersected (see Modifying Assembly Features on page 4 - 16). The following figure presents an example of selecting parts to intersect using the Thru All and Blind options. Selecting Parts to Intersect
cut part not selected cut

part not selected a) Thru All b) Blind

Modifying Assembly Features


You can modify assembly features in Assembly mode using the Modify Dim option. You can pattern, delete, suppress, and resume them as ordinary features (for more information, see the appropriate sections in the chapter Modifying the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide). You can also modify subtractive assembly features by changing the parts to be intersected. For example, you can assemble new components and then intersect them with assembly features that already exist. You can also clear parts that an assembly feature already intersects.

Adding and Removing Intersected Components


After you finish defining a feature in Assembly mode, the INTRSCT OPER menu and the ADD OPER menu appear. You can use these menus to add components for the feature to intersect, remove components, and show components.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

How to Add Components for an Assembly Feature to Intersect Choose Add Model > Auto Sel to select all components to intersect the assembly feature automatically. Choose Add Model > Manual Sel to select individual components to add.

How to Remove Components that an Assembly Feature Intersects Choose Remove Model > All to remove automatically all components that the assembly feature already intersects. Choose Remove Model > Manual Sel to select manually components to remove that the assembly feature intersects. Choose Update Intrs to automatically remove all components that an assembly feature no longer intersects. Repaint to display the changes.

For assembly features created before Release 15.0, the old assembly feature intersection interface appears. How to Add or Remove Parts Intersected by Assembly Features Created Before Release 15.0 1. Choose Add or Remove from the INT PART menu. 2. Select the desired parts. 3. Select the level at which the feature should be visible. 4. Choose Done Sel. 5. Choose View/Repaint to display the changes. How to Show the Components that Assembly Features Intersect Choose Show > Next to highlight the next component that the assembly feature intersects (the one immediately following the first one affected by the assembly feature). Choose Show > Previous to highlight the previous component that the assembly feature intersects. Choose Show > Show All to highlight all components that the assembly feature intersects. Assembly Operations

Changing the Level of an Assembly Feature Intersection


To display information about assembly features, use the Info command in the INTRSCT OPER menu.

Assembly Operations

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How to Change the Level at Which an Assembly Feature Intersects an Assembly Component 1. Choose Feature > Redefine, then select the feature. Choose Intsct Parts under Element in the dialog box. or Choose Feature > Intersect, then select the feature. The INTRSCT OPER menu appears. 2. Remove the intersection of the component using the Remove Model option. 3. Change the visible level using the Vis Level command (for example, Assembly to Part). 4. Choose Add Model, then add the intersection of the component.

Using Assembly Features in Part Mode


An assembly feature visible at the part level is a part feature visible in Part mode. When you suppress an assembly cut, it does not affect the parent assembly feature. When you delete an assembly cut in Part mode, the system removes the intersection from the parent assembly feature. If you select an assembly cut for modification using Query Sel (provided the parent assembly is in session), you can modify the dimensions of the parent feature in Part mode. In this case, regeneration only updates the current part. To update other parts intersected by this subtractive feature, regenerate them individually, or use the Automatic command to automatically regenerate in Assembly mode. Features in the intersected part should not directly or indirectly reference an assembly cut.

Copying Assembly Features


The Copy command in the ASSY FEAT menu displays the COPY FEAT menu, enabling you to copy components and assembly features. Copying features in Assembly mode works the same as in Part mode (see the chapter Copying Features in the Part Modeling Users Guide), except for the following: You cannot use the All Feat option. You cannot mirror assembly features.

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When you create a copy of an assembly feature, the system copies assembly relations with it, but they are not related to the feature.

Restructuring Assembly Components


You can use the Restructure command to move components from one subassembly to another, or from the top-level assembly to a subassembly, or vice versa. However, the top-level assembly must be in session to properly regenerate a restructured subassembly. Components may have to be frozen otherwise. When you choose Restructure, the Model Tree Window displays the assembly hierarchical tree structure, enabling you to restructure it without changing the appearance of the assembly in the graphics window. Model Tree Window

Assembly Operations

When restructuring assembly components, keep in mind the following restrictions: You cannot pick the first member of an assembly to restructure. 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. You cannot restructure components that are part of a pattern. If an assembly contains multiple copies of the same subassembly, you cannot restructure the components of that subassembly.

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The system does not allow you to restructure an assembly if multiple occurrences of the original assembly exist.

How to Move a Component to a Different Level of the Assembly Structure 1. Choose Restructure from the ASSEMBLY menu. The RESTRUCTURE menu displays the following options: Move CompSelects a component or subassembly to move. Select TargetSelects a target to which to move a component or subassembly. Undo LastMoves a component or subassembly back to its position prior to the move executed by the Select Target option.

2. Choose Move Comp. The system tags the selected member as MOVING in the Model Tree Window. 3. Choose Select Target. Select an assembly in the Model Tree Window to which you would like to move the selected component. 4. Choose Done from the RESTRUCTURE menu. Use options in the Model Tree pull-down menus to highlight a selected assembly member in the graphics window or change the view of the assembly and the displayed level of structure. For more information about the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

Restructure Application
You can use Restructure if you have an assembly with piping elements (such as pipe segments and fittings), and you want to handle the conglomerate pipeline as one entity. Instead of creating a pipe extract, which literally merges all the pipe elements together in one part, you can create an empty subassembly in the pipe assembly, and then restructure all the pipe elements into that subassembly. You can then create a drawing of the subassembly and list the components in a table for a BOM. However, the first time you retrieve the subassembly without the top-level assembly, you must freeze all the components (see Other Component Procedures on page 3 - 32).

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Regeneration
You need to use the Regenerate command only on the parts that you have modified while in Assembly mode. In large assemblies, it is faster to select individual parts to regenerate than it is to instruct Pro/ENGINEER to search for and regenerate all parts in the assembly that you have modified. When you choose Regenerate from the ASSEMBLY menu, the system displays the PRT TO REGEN menu. Using this menu, you can do one of the following: Use the default Select option to select the parts yourself. Use the Automatic option to have the system select the parts automatically. Use the Custom option to access the Regeneration Manager and regenerate selected components (see Using the Regeneration Manager to Customize Regeneration on page 4 - 22).

If you choose Select, the SELECT PARTS menu also appears; use it either to pick individual parts in the graphics window with the Pick Part option, or to select them by menu. Alternatively, the Layer command in the SELECT PARTS menu enables you to select parts by specifying the name of a layer that contains them.

How to Regenerate
When using the Regenerate option, keep in mind the following: If you do not select any parts when regenerating, the system regenerates only assembly placement constraints and datum features. Before regenerating a part with external references, the system regenerates the external reference and then uses the updated values for the part. When you modify a part intersected by an assembly feature in an assembly in another Pro/ENGINEER session, you must regenerate the part in the assembly before the system makes the changes visible. You can select all parts intersected by assembly features for regeneration using the Upd Int Prts option. You do not have to select these parts individually.

Assembly Operations

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How to Regenerate an Assembly 1. Choose Regenerate from the ASSEMBLY menu. 2. Choose a command from the PRT TO REGEN menu: SelectSelects individual parts to regenerate (unless you explicitly select a part, the system does not regenerate it). AutomaticRegenerates every part that has changed since the last regeneration. Pro/ENGINEER selects models with external references to parts that have changed. CustomAccesses the Regeneration Manager and regenerates selected components, as described in the following section.

Notes: If you only want to update component placement without regenerating parts, choose Done from the PRT TO REGEN menu instead of Select or Automatic. Pro/ENGINEER selects for automatic regeneration any models with external references to parts that have changed.

3. If you choose Select, use one of these commands from the SELECT PARTS menu: Pick PartSelects parts to regenerate by picking on the screen (Pick or Query Sel) or by name (Sel By Menu). LayerSelects all parts included in a layer.

4. Choose Done to regenerate the selected parts, or choose Quit to abort the process. 5. If assembly features are present and you are using the Select option, choose one of these options: Upd Int PrtsUpdates all parts intersected by assembly features. Dont UpdateDoes not update any part intersected by assembly features.

For information on part regeneration, see the chapter Regenerating the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide.

Using the Regeneration Manager to Customize Regeneration


Using the Custom command in the PRT TO REGEN menu, you can access the Regeneration Manager and regenerate selected components.

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Regeneration Manager

How to Regenerate Selected Components in a Model: 1. Choose Regenerate > Custom. The Regeneration Manager appears. Initially, the system expands the tree to the first level in the Regeneration List column. To display features, choose Show from the menu bar. To expand or collapse the tree to any level, choose View from the menu bar. Assembly Operations

Use the Info menu to obtain information about features and components.

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2. From the list, select components and features for regeneration; then do one of the following: To select all components for regeneration, select Regenerate and then Select All. To omit all components from regeneration, select Skip Regen and then Select All. To determine the reason an object requires regeneration, select Highlight and pick an object in the tree.

If you select a subassembly, the system selects all parts and features within that subassembly, even if it is broken up in the regeneration list. A blank column next to the regeneration list indicates whether you have selected a component or feature for regeneration. 3. Click OK to close the dialog box and regenerate the components you have selected.

Recovery Options
The following section describes possible errors that can occur during reconstruction, explains the reasons for their occurrence, and provides the procedures you can follow to resolve them. Pro/ENGINEER reconstructs an assembly every time you retrieve it or regenerate it. During reconstruction, the system can detect three types of assembling errors: A component was missing The system could not place a component The system failed to regenerate assembly features

Missing Component
When a component fails during regeneration or retrieval, the error messages include the component identification number as well as the model name. The following sections explain how Pro/ENGINEER handles these errors. A component may be missing for these reasons: It was misplaced in the directory tree. It was renamed. It was deleted from the disk.

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If a component is missing upon retrieval, Pro/ENGINEER assembles all parts until it requires the missing part; then it displays the RESOLVE FEAT menu. It temporarily removes all later components until it recovers the missing component. Once it replaces or removes the component, it returns all the temporarily removed members to their places. When a component cannot be retrieved because it is missing, you can do the following: Choose Quick Fix > Quit Retr or Fix Model > Quit Retr. Use the Quit Retr command to quit the retrieval so that you can begin again. Whatever components or subassemblies the system retrieves up to that component are still in session. You can then go back and rename the part or correct the pathname so the system can find it. You must then retrieve the assembly again. Choose Fix Model > Component > Adv Utils > Replace. At the system prompt, enter the name of the component. If you enter [?], the system finds the component for you. The REPLACE WITH menu appears with the Manual command highlighted. Assemble the new component (see Replacing Components on page 3 - 17). Reconstruction of the assembly should then continue. Use 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 commands in the FIX MODEL menu, which are a subset of the ASSEMBLY menu.

Assembly Operations

Cannot Place a Component


After you place a component, you might not be able to assemble it to other components because of one of the following: A missing referenced feature A violated placement constraint

If Pro/ENGINEER cannot place a component (that is, it can find it, but does not know how to place it), it displays an error message, the RESOLVE FEAT menu, and the Failed Feature Diagnostic Window. When the system cannot place a component, you can do the following:

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Choose Quick Fix > Freeze. The system then places the component (nonparametrically) in its last known placement. You can redefine it or change it later. Choose Quick Fix > Redefine. Use the Model Tree Window to redefine the location of the component. Choose 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 only apply to the failed component. To suppress, redefine, or delete another component in the assembly, use the commands in the FIX MODEL menu.

Cannot Regenerate Assembly Features


When retrieving an assembly, you may not be able to regenerate a feature like a datum or hole because the part or a part feature that it references is deleted, or the part feature is suppressed. Whenever the system cannot place datums, they appear in the locations of the last successful regeneration. If a component references any of these datums, Pro/ENGINEER issues an error message and displays the RESOLVE FEAT menu (see Missing Component on page 4 - 24). You can specify its new placement, or choose Quick Fix, then Freeze to place it nonparametrically. If the datum references were suppressed, you can unfreeze the datums by unsuppressing them. Successful regeneration occurs and the components placed using the Freeze command also regain parametric placement. Note: After recovering from an error, save the new version of the assembly before exiting Pro/ENGINEER. For more information concerning the Resolve mode functionality, see the chapter Regenerating the Part in the Part Modeling Users Guide.

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5
Interchange Assemblies

Interchange assemblies, which are available with the Pro/ASSEMBLY module, consist of three subcategories: functional interchange assemblies, simplify interchange assemblies, and consolidated interchange assemblies. Functional interchange assemblyContains groups of parts and assemblies that have the same engineering function and can be exchanged (using the Replace option) for one another in the same design assembly. Simplify interchange assemblyContains interchangeable representations of parts or assemblies that convey different information about an object (such as detailed, envelope, schematic or symbolic information). Use Substitute in the EDIT REP menu to change from one representation of a part or assembly to another. Consolidated interchange assemblyContains parts and assemblies that can replace one another in the design assembly, as well as simplify interchange components, representing each of these functional members. Page 5-2 5-3 5-9 5 - 14

Topic Overview Functional Interchange Assemblies Simplify Interchange Assemblies Consolidated Interchange Assemblies

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Overview
When creating interchange assemblies, keep in mind the following: Interchange assemblies have the name extension .asm; however, you cannot assemble an interchange assembly into a regular design assembly. If you copy and rename an interchange member using the Save As command in the FILE menu, the system does not create a part that you can interchange with the original. You should only create an interchange assembly if one is necessary. For instance, members of a part or assembly family table are already interchangeable, using Replace from the ADV UTILS menu. Interchange mode replaces the former Part and Assembly mode interchange functionality. You can still use the previous style of an interchange group created in versions earlier than Release 13.0. However, you cannot add models created in Release 13.0 and later to interchange assemblies that were created in Release 12.0. You must create an interchange assembly in Release 13.0 or later. For replacing and automatic assembly, you can use interchange assemblies that were created in Release 12.0. Interchange assemblies created in Release 13.0 are functional interchange assemblies.

How to Create an Interchange Assembly 1. Select File > New > Assembly > Interchange and enter a name for the new interchange assembly. The Interchange Type dialog box appears. Interchange Type Dialog Box

2. Click either Functional or Simplify, then click OK. The Model Tree window and the ASSEMBLY menu appear, and you can build the interchange assembly. (See Creating a Functional Interchange Assembly on page 5 - 4 and Creating a Simplify Interchange Assembly on page 5 - 10.)

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Functional Interchange Assemblies


This section describes several applications for functional interchange, and explains how to establish functional interchangeability and create a functional interchange assembly. In this type of interchange assembly, you must create and assign reference tags to corresponding entities on each functional interchange assembly member in order to replace components automatically in an assembly using parametric assembly constraints.

Applications
The ability to automatically exchange functionally equivalent members in an assembly is useful for several applications. You can do the following: Easily replace old or obsolete members in an assembly with new ones to accommodate changes in your design or part availability. Interchange different design models of two different bolts, kinds of fasteners, and so on. Design your assembly using concept blocks or part envelopes and later replace them with fully detailed parts or subassemblies.

With Interchange mode, you can view interchangeable members placed relative to each other. To simplify this view, suppress selected members of the functional interchange assembly or use layer functionality to blank components. Interchange Assemblies

Interchange Assemblies

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Examples of Applications

exchanging two different designs

exchanging a concept block with an actual assembly

Creating a Functional Interchange Assembly


You cannot include both a part and a subassembly in the same family table. However, using functional interchange assemblies, you can replace a part in an assembly with a subassembly or vice versa. For example, if you want to use different types of fasteners in an assembly, such as either bolts or subassemblies of rods with nuts, you cannot include them in the same part family. The only way to replace one with the other automatically is to use an interchange assembly. The following rules are important: When using a subassembly as an interchangeable member, be sure to establish functional interchangeability on the subassembly itself, not on its component parts. When creating the functional interchange assembly, use the information obtained from the AutoTag option to assign tags to each of the references (that is, all surfaces, axes, and datum planes used for assembly constraint references, feature references, and so on) that were used in the assembly process. This applies to the following kinds of references: Those made to the component in the context of the assembly Those used to assemble the component Those used to assemble child components of that component Those used to create assembly features on any level

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Those used to create part features in other components (external feature references).

These reference tags establish geometric correspondence between the assembly and the member to be replaced (for more information, see Using Reference Tags on page 5 - 7). Once you have established the correspondence, the system can use the placement constraints from the original to place the interchanged member by automatically positioning it and all of the parts around it. Child references are only automatically updated when you have established geometric correspondence. You do not need to create enough reference tags to fully place a member of an interchange assembly. When you attempt to replace a component with such a member, the Component Placement dialog box will appear. You can either specify the remaining references, leave the member packaged, or leave the member unplaced.

Assembly Menu in a Functional Interchange Assembly


When you open a functional interchange assembly, the ASSEMBLY menu displays the following options: ComponentDisplays the following options: Add Adds a member to the interchange assembly by packaging the member. You must first add members to an assembly before you can assign references. DeleteDeletes a member from the interchange assembly. SuppressSuppresses member(s) in the interchange assembly. When you suppress an assembly member that has children, the system automatically freezes the children. ResumeResumes member(s) in the interchange assembly. RedefineRepositions interchange assembly members using the Component Placement dialog box. Interchange Assemblies

ModifyModifies dimensions of member(s) in the interchange assembly (see Ways to Modify an Assembly on page 4 - 6). Simplified RepCreates, modifies, or sets a simplified representation. RegenerateRegenerates components in the interchange assembly.

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Reference TagAssigns references, or tags, to members of the functional interchange assembly, or displays the placement of a member or child reference information. Set UpSets up interchange assembly mass properties (see the chapter Part and Assembly Setup in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Using the ASSEM SETUP menu, you can set up the units and parameters to use; add, remove, and modify the notes associated with the assembly; and/or declare a datum or axis to relate to a global one. LayerPlaces interchange assembly members on a layer. You can then blank the members for ease of viewing. IntegrateWhen using Pro/PDM, resolves differences between two submissions of the same interchange.

When you choose Delete, Suppress, or Resume from the COMPONENT menu, the INT ASM COMPS menu appears. This menu lists the interchangeable assembly members that you can select by choosing that menu option.

Adding New Members


When you are adding new members to functional interchange assemblies, you do not assemble members with respect to one another. The system packages members into the assembly automatically. You can use the Redefine command to move them. How to Create a Functional Interchange Assembly and Replace Interchangeable Models in a Design 1. Select File > New > Assembly > Interchange > Functional. 2. Choose Component > Add. Enter the name of the first interchange member to add. The system packages it into the assembly. Enter the name of the second interchange member. 3. Define reference tags. 4. Assign the tags to corresponding component geometry. Select a reference tag, choose Assign, and select an entity on the model to reference. 5. You can now replace the components in Assembly mode by using Replace in the ADV COMP UTL menu.

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Using Reference Tags


Use the Reference Tag command to assign references, or tags, to members of the functional interchange assembly, or to display the placement of a member or child reference information. When you choose Reference Tag, the Reference Tags dialog box displays the following windows and buttons: TagsDisplays tags for members of the interchange assembly. Contains the following buttons: AssignAssigns tags to members of the interchange assembly, establishing a correspondence between the tags and the member in the interchange assembly. RemoveDeletes the selected tag from the interchange assembly. AutoTagAllows you to define reference tags for a component with respect to a particular assembly to which it belongs. Also displays placement and reference information for the selected component and its children in the reference assembly. NewCreates a tag in the interchange assembly. Enter a reference tag name in the Name text box.

AssignmentsDisplays each component and entity name (if one is defined; see Modifying Feature Names in the chapter Modifying the Part in Part Modeling Users Guide) or entity ID to which you have assigned a selected tag. Also indicates whether you have assigned all tags to that component. Contains the button UnAssign, which removes entities assigned to an existing tag to redo member assignments. You can reselect geometry to correspond to the selected tag on each assembly member.

Interchange Assemblies

How to Create Reference Tags 1. Choose New from the Tags dialog. 2. Enter a name for the tag. The default type for a tag is GEOMETRY. This will change once you assign the tag to a component.

How to Assign Reference Tags to Functional Interchange Groups 1. Select one of the tags that you have created. 2. Choose Assign from the Assignments window.

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3. Select an entity on the first model to reference (such as a surface, edge, curve, or axis). If you want to create a datum plane on the fly, use the Make Datum command in the GET ENTITIES menu. As you assign each reference tag, the referenced entity is highlighted in cyan. 4. Select a similar entity on the next component to reference. Continue until you have referenced each component in your interchange assembly. To redo the assignment or unassign a tag, pick on the model again or choose UnAssign from the Assignments window.

Using AutoTag
The AutoTag functionality makes it easier for you to see exactly which reference tags you need to define to fully reference a component with respect to a particular assembly. You can create tags for the references as you see them, view parent and child information for references, and view the tags which you have already assigned. How to Create Reference Tags Using AutoTag 1. Select Reference Tag > AutoTag. 2. Select a functional interchange component to use to define reference tags. 3. Specify an assembly which contains the selected component. The AutoTag dialog box opens and displays the selected assembly in the area at the left side of the box.

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AutoTag Dialog Box

4. If there is more than one occurrence of the component in the assembly, select the particular instance of the component that you will reference. All entities from the interchange component which are used by the assembly or other components appear in the dialog box. 5. Create corresponding tags by selecting a reference and entering the name of the tag for that reference. Interchange Assemblies

Simplify Interchange Assemblies


Simplify interchange assemblies, are used by the simplified representation functionality (see the chapter Simplified Representations) to substitute a member of the interchange assembly for any of the other members. You can assemble, package, or create the components in the interchange, and you can assign mass properties from one representation to another. Using this functionality, the mass properties of simplified representations with substituted interchange members can be made the same as the mass properties of the master representation.
Interchange Assemblies 5-9

Applications
In a simplify interchange assembly, you can create simplified visual representations of the design assembly with the simplified representation functionality. You can define a simplified rep of the assembly and substitute components with any other components belonging to common interchange assemblies. The ability to do this helps you to: Design parts in an assembly based on an envelope part that you substitute for the actual parts in the assembly Calculate the mass properties for an entire assembly with just the envelopes substituted in the assembly

Creating a Simplify Interchange Assembly


As with functional interchanges, the first step in using simplify interchange assemblies is to establish interchangeability by creating a new interchange assembly, or adding a new part or subassembly to an existing interchange assembly. While in a simplify interchange assembly, you can add models to interchange assemblies by creating a component or by assembling or packaging existing components to one another to establish their relative placement. Substituting a component is an easier process to perform than replacing a component because the system places substitute components into an assembly based on their relative placement in the interchange, not using parametric constraints (such as Mate, Align, and Insert). Thus, you do not need to assign reference tags. However, the children of substituted components are not automatically updated when you change their parents. Simplified representations enable you to substitute individual occurrences of a component. When you substitute a component in a simplified representation, you temporarily exclude the original component and superimpose the substitute in its place. This alters the displayed appearance of the assembly, but does not change the master assembly.

Assembly Menu in a Simplify Interchange Assembly


When you open a simplify interchange assembly, the ASSEMBLY menu displays the following options: Component Displays the following items: AddAdds a member to the interchange assembly by assembling, packaging, or creating the member.

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DeleteDeletes a member from the interchange assembly. SuppressSuppresses member(s) in the interchange assembly. When you suppress an assembly member that has children, the system automatically freezes the children ResumeResumes member(s) in the interchange assembly. RedefineRedefines the placement constraints of an interchange assembly member. The SEL MENU menu lists the assembly members from which to select.

ModifyModifies dimensions of member(s) in the interchange assembly (see Ways to Modify an Assembly on page 4 - 6). Simplfd RepCreates, modifies, or sets up a simplified representation. RegenerateRegenerates the interchange assembly. Assign PropsAssigns properties from one member of a simplify interchange assembly to all other members. Set UpSets up interchange assembly mass properties (see the chapter Part and Assembly Setup in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Using the ASSEM SETUP menu, you can set up the units and parameters to use; add, remove, and modify the notes associated with the assembly; and/or declare a datum or axis to relate to a global one. LayerPlaces interchange assembly members on a layer. You can then blank the members for ease of viewing. IntegrateWhen using Pro/PDM, resolves differences between two submissions of the same interchange. Interchange Assemblies

Adding New Members


When you are adding new members to simplify interchange assemblies, the ADD INT MBR menu appears immediately after you choose Add from the COMPONENT menu. You can use the Package command to place simplify members or you can assemble to the simplify interchange assembly. How to Add a Member to an Interchange Assembly by Assembling an Existing Model 1. Choose Component > Add > Assemble. Enter the name of an interchange member to add to the assembly. 2. Choose Package. Enter the name of another interchange member to add to the assembly.

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3. You can now substitute either member for the other in a simplified representation in any assembly containing one of these components. Interchange by Assembling Members

Assemble these members member 1 member 2

resulting interchange assembly

How to Add a Member to a Simplify Interchange Assembly by Creating a Part 1. Choose Component > Add > Create. Enter the name of an interchange member to add to the assembly. 2. Define the new model. Create the component in the interchange assembly just as you would in Assembly mode (see Creating Components in Assembly Mode on page 3 - 2). 3. You can now substitute either member for the other in a simplified representation in any assembly containing one of these components.

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Substituting Interchangeable Components in a Simplified Representation


Assembly, with complex subassembly Simplified representation with simplify interchange part

Substitute for the complex subassembly.

Assemble a complex component into an Interchange assembly

Assemble or create a simple model in the interchange assembly.

Interchange Assemblies

Assigning Mass Properties


Using the Assign Props command in the ASSEMBLY menu, you can assign mass properties from one member of a simplify interchange assembly to all other members. As a result, one of the members of a group can drive the mass properties of the other members in the group. This causes a simplified representation with a simplified version of a part to display the same mass properties as a fully detailed assembly. Pro/ENGINEER calculates the mass properties in that member and copies them into all of the other members. It uses this copied information when it computes mass property information on that model.

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How to Assign Mass Properties 1. Choose Assign Props from the ASSEMBLY menu. The ASSIGN PROPS menu displays the following options: DefineSelects one member to drive the mass properties of the group and indicates which properties to assign. Performs calculations and stores information in the other members. UndoDeletes assigned information in the other members. UpdateRecalculates properties in the member that is driving the mass properties and stores updated information in the other members. InfoDisplays an Information Window indicating the name of the member that is driving the mass properties and showing the mass property values currently stored.

2. Choose Define. The names of members in the interchange assembly appear. 3. Select a member of the group to drive the mass properties of the others or choose Done/Return.

Consolidated Interchange Assemblies


Consolidated interchange assemblies combine functional and simplified interchange assemblies. They contain both functional and simplify components. Consolidation reduces your object count, and allows you to access all interchange options from the same menu structure. You can access this functionality by setting the configuration file option use_new_intchg to yes. After you edit, save, and reload the configuration file, you can open an interchange assembly without specifying functional or simplify.

Creating a Consolidated Interchange Assembly


In a consolidated interchange assembly, the first component you add is, by default, a functional component. Subsequent components can be either functional or simplified.

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When you add subsequent components, you will need to specify whether the component is a Simplify component or a Functional component. If you choose to add a Simplify component, you may either assemble or create the component. You can assemble functional components, but you cannot create them. Add Interchange Component Dialog Box

Once you have determined the kind of component you are adding to the interchange assembly, you can perform the same operations that you would in either a functional or a simplify interchange assembly. (See Functional Interchange Assemblies on page 5 - 3 or Simplify Interchange Assemblies on page 5 - 9.) However, the methods of some operations are different for simplify components (see Adding Simplify Components to a Consolidated Interchange Assembly on page 5 - 17). When creating a consolidated interchange assembly, keep in mind the following: You can assemble simplify components to packaged functional components but not functional components to packaged functional components. You can only reference a functional component for creation or assembly of a simplify component. You cannot reference a simplify component for the assembly or creation of another simplify component. Simplify components can only substitute for functional components, not for other simplify components. Interchange Assemblies

Interchange Assemblies

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You can only use the same model twice in a combined interchange: once as a functional component, and once as a simplify component. You cannot add an instance of a component if the generic is already in the interchange, and you cannot add the generic of a component if an instance is already in the interchange.

Assembly Menu in a Consolidated Interchange Assembly


When you open a consolidated interchange assembly, the ASSEMBLY menu displays the following options: ComponentDisplays the following options: AddAdds a member to the interchange assembly by packaging the member. You must first add members to an assembly before you can assign references. DeleteDeletes a member from the interchange assembly. SuppressSuppresses member(s) in the interchange assembly. When you suppress an assembly member that has children, the system automatically freezes the children. ResumeResumes member(s) in the interchange assembly. RedefineRepositions interchange assembly members using the Component Placement dialog box.

ModifyModifies dimensions of member(s) in the interchange assembly (see Ways to Modify an Assembly on page 4 - 6). Simplfd RepCreates, modifies, or sets current a simplified representation. RegenerateRegenerates components in the interchange assembly. Reference TagAssigns references, or tags, to functional members of the interchange assembly, or displays the placement of a member or child reference information. Set UpSets up interchange assembly mass properties (see the chapter Part and Assembly Setup in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Using the ASSEM SETUP menu, you can set up the units and parameters to use; add, remove, and modify the notes associated with the assembly; and/or declare a datum or axis to relate to a global one. LayerPlaces interchange assembly members on a layer. You can then blank the members for ease of viewing.

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IntegrateWhen using Pro/PDM, resolves differences between two submissions of the same interchange.

Adding Simplify Components to a Consolidated Interchange Assembly


After you assemble or create a simplify interchange member, you must specify which functional member the simplify member will represent. This can be done using the Simplify Component dialog box, shown below. Whether you are creating or assembling the simplify component, you are only allowed to reference the functional member selected for representation. Once the simplify member is fully defined or constrained, then additional functional members can be selected, and additional occurrences of the simplify member may be assembled relative to them. Simplify Component Dialog Box

Interchange Assemblies

Interchange Assemblies

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Under the Components tab, a list of functional components in the interchange assembly appears. Use the Add and Remove buttons to designate which of the existing functional components can be substituted by the new simplify component. Use the Placement button to update the placement of the new simplify component in the assembly.

Under the Mass Properties tab, select which mass properties to use when the new component is used in substitution. Select Assigned properties of simplify component to use mass properties of the particular simplify component. Select Properties of original model if it is in session to use mass properties of the component for which the simplify component is substituting. Select Properties of a specified functional component to use the mass properties of a functional component within the interchange assembly. Select the functional component from the list, then click Compute to enter the mass properties of the functional component.

To associate a particular simplify component with another functional component after you have closed the Simplify Component dialog box, you must select the main simplify node in the Model Tree and use the right mouse button to select Redefine. Selecting a single occurrence of a simplify component for Redefine will simply allow you to redefine its placement relative to the functional component it is simplifying. Note: To completely remove a simplify component from a combined interchange, you must select the main node of the simplify component in the Model Tree for deletion.

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6
Simplified Representations

Simplified representations improve the regeneration, retrieval, and display times of assemblies, enabling you to work more efficiently. You can use them to control which members of an assembly the system retrieves and displays. This lets you tailor your work environment to include only the information of current interest to you. For example, to speed the regeneration and display process, you can temporarily remove a complicated subassembly that is unrelated to the portion of the assembly on which you need to work. This chapter discusses how you can use simplified representations to simplify a view of a design. Topic Overview Creating a Simplified Representation Preparing for a Simplified Representation Modifying a Simplified Representation Retrieving a Simplified Representation Page 6-2 6-4 6 - 18 6 - 24 6 - 26

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Overview
Simplified representations enable you both to conceptualize your design and to simplify the representation of complex assemblies. Simplified representations support both top-down and bottom-up assembly design approaches. The top-down design approach starts with creating envelopes (or space claims) for components in an assembly, then building detailed parts and subassemblies to fit the various envelopes. For example, in an automotive design you might create envelopes for the engine, transmission, and many other complex subassemblies. As each department creates detailed designs of its subassembly, you can substitute the fully detailed subassembly for the corresponding envelope. The bottom-up approach starts with a complex assembly and simplifies it. One simplified representation could serve as the table of contents for the design by substituting a lower level simplified representation for each subassembly. Another simplified representation might exclude portions of the design to focus on specific areas.

Availability
Simplified representations are available in Assembly, Manufacturing, Part, and Drawing modes, as well as in Pro/MOLDESIGN, Pro/CASTING, and Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES. The name of the active simplified representation appears in the Assembly window as a label, in the form SIMPLFD REP: name. In Part mode, use simplified representations to simplify the geometry of a part by including or excluding individual features, defining a work region to include only the areas of interest on the part, or copying part surfaces to create a surface envelope. In Drawing mode, create multiple views of an assembly using different simplified representations. You must specify the simplified representation before adding a view. If you want to assemble a simplified representation of a part or subassembly into an assembly, the top-level assembly also must be a simplified representation. It cannot be the Master Representation.

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Types of Representations
There are three main types of simplified representations: master representations, graphics representations, and geometry representations. Designate which representation appears using the Retrieve Rep option. Graphics and geometry representations speed up the retrieval process of large assemblies. All simplified representations provide access to components in the assembly and are based upon the Master Representation. The Master Representation always reflects the fully detailed assembly, including all of its members. The Model Tree lists all components in the Master Representation of the assembly, and indicates whether they are included, excluded, or substituted. Graphics representations contain information for display only and allow you to browse through a large assembly quickly; however, you cannot modify or reference graphics representations. The type of graphics display that is available depends on the setting of the save_model_display configuration option the last time that the assembly was saved: no_displayThere will be nothing on the screen. wireframe(default) The wireframe of the components will appear. shading_low (shading_medium, shading_high)A shaded version of the components will appear. The different levels indicate the density of the triangles used for shading. shading_lodsThe level of detail will depend on the setting in the View Performance dialog box (access this dialog box by selecting View > Performance).

Geometry representations provide complete geometry for components and require more time to retrieve and use more memory than the graphics representations. You can use them to remove hidden lines, obtain measure information, and accurately calculate mass properties. You can also reference them when working with assemblies. For example, you can assemble a component and mate it to a geometry representation of another part.

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While in a simplified representation, the system applies changes to an assembly, such as creation or assembly of new components, to the Master Representation and reflects them in all of the simplified representations (Pro/PROGRAM processing also affects the Master Representation). It applies all suppressing and resuming of components to the Master Representation. However, it applies the actions of a simplified representation only to currently resumed members, that is, to members that are present in the BOM of the Master Representation.

Excluding and Substituting Components


Simplified representations either include all members except for members that you specifically exclude or substitute, or exclude all members (except for members specifically included or substituted). Excluding or substituting affects only the current simplified representation and alters the displayed appearance of the assembly, but has no effect on other features or components in the assembly.

Creating a Simplified Representation


You can create a simplified representation using the Simplfd Rep command in the ASSEMBLY menu. When you create a simplified representation, you must select a default rule for it, then designate the way that individual components will be represented in the new simplified representation. To access the SIMPLFD REP menu, choose Simplfd Rep from the ASSEMBLY menu. This menu displays the following options: CreateCreates a new simplified representation. Set CurrentSets the current simplified representation. CopyCreates a copy of an existing simplified representation. RedefineModifies/edits the current simplified representation. DeleteDeletes an existing simplified representation. ListShows a list of existing simplified representations.

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How to Create a Simplified Representation 1. Choose ASSEMBLY > Simplfd Rep > Create. Enter the simplified representation name (without spaces). The DEFAULT RULE menu appears. 2. Select a default rule for components of the new representation (for more information, see The Default Rule on page 6 - 5). The EDIT REP and SELECT MDL menus appear. 3. Select an action from the EDIT REP menu and select the components using the SELECT MDL menu (for more information, see The EDIT REP Menu on page 6 - 6 and The SELECT MDL Menu on page 6 - 12). The system records your actions in the Model Tree window (for more information, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2). If you perform an action on a subassembly, the system applies it to the whole subassembly tree. 4. Select Update Screen to display the current state of the simplified representation in the graphics window. Select Display Mode to display either the currently marked components or all the components in the Model Tree window. 5. Select Done to finalize the simplified representation.

The Default Rule


The default rule determines whether or not a simplified representation should initially include all components, and what kind of information about those components should be available. You can then change the definition of individual components within that framework. If you change the definition of a component, select Default from the EDIT REP menu to return the component to the default rule. There are four types of default rule, as listed below: Master RepInitially includes all assembly components and makes available all information. Simplified Representations Graphics RepInitially includes all assembly components and makes available only display information. Geometry RepInitially includes all assembly components and makes available only geometry information. Exclude CompInitially excludes all assembly components from the simplified representation.

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Note: When assembling or creating a component when a representation is active, the system always includes a new component in the active representation even if the default rule is Exclude.

The EDIT REP Menu


The EDIT REP menu appears either when you have named a new simplified representation and defined the default rule or when you are redefining an existing representation. It displays the following commands: Master RepIncludes the master representation for the selected component. This command does not appear if the default rule is Master Rep. ExcludeExcludes the selected component from the current simplified representation. This command does not appear if the default rule is Exclude. For more information, see Excluding Components on page 6 - 7. Graphics RepIncludes display information only for the selected component.This command does not appear if the default rule is Graphics Rep. Geometry RepIncludes geometry information only for the selected components. This command does not appear if the default rule is Geometry Rep. SubstituteSubstitutes another model for the selected component using the Component Substitute dialog box. The Component Substitute dialog box displays the following options: By Family Table MemberSubstitutes another instance from the family table of the component. By Interchange AssemblySubstitutes a member of a simplify interchange assembly to which the selected component belongs. By Simplified RepSubstitutes a simplified representation for a subassembly or a part.

For more information, see Substituting Components on page 6 - 9. DefaultApplies the default rule to the selected component. This removes any other setting.

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InfoFor a selected component, displays an Information Window listing the assembly name, component number, internal component ID, part name, and children. Undo LastUndoes the last action that you applied. UpdateScreenDisplays the simplified representation as it is currently defined. Display ModeDisplays in the text window a list of the components that are shown. The DISPLAY MODE menu displays these options: Show AllDisplays in the Model Tree Window the names of all of the assembly components. MarkedDisplays in the Model Tree Window only those components set to something other than the default rule of the simplified representation.

Excluding Components
You can exclude components or subassemblies from a particular simplified representation, or exclude selected components of an included subassembly. If you exclude an entire subassembly, the system also excludes all of its components. The following figure presents an example of a simplified representation using the Exclude option.

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Example of Simplified Representation Using Exclude


The Master Representation:

Simplified representation that excludes all parts except those relating to the frame:

Simplified representation that excludes all parts except those relating to the engine:

Simplified representation that excludes all parts except those relating to hydraulics:

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Substituting Components
With simplified representations, you can substitute one or all occurrences of a component. In effect, when you substitute a component in a simplified representation, you temporarily exclude the substituted component and superimpose the substituting component in its place. Substitution of a component in a simplified representation does not change the master assembly as does the replacement of a component using the Replace command from the ADV UTIL menu. Substitution is merely a way to create an alternate or simplified visual representation of the master assembly. When you select Substitute from the EDIT REP menu and select a substituted component, the Component Substitute dialog box appears, as in the following figure. This dialog box allows you to select the substituting component. Methods of substitution are available based on the substituted component you select. The Component Substitute Dialog Box

The method of substitution can be one of the following: By Family Table MemberA member of the family table of the substituted component. When suppressing components through a family table, the family table instructions take precedence over simplified representation instructions. For example, when a representation is created that substitutes a component by any method, if an instance of the assembly replaces the substituted component in the family table with a family table member, the representation of that instance will not perform the substitute action.

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By Interchange AssemblyA member of a simplify interchange assembly to which the substituted component belongs. If you make a substitution from an interchange assembly, the placement of the substituting part or subassembly will be updated either according to changes in the position of the original part or according to changes in the interchange assembly. To place the substituting component, the system uses the placement constraints of the substituted component. By Simplified RepA simplified representation of the component. If you make a substitution from a simplified representation of the subassembly or component, the system reflects any changes in the subassembly simplified representation in the top-level assembly (you cannot expand the subassembly in the Model Tree Window).

Changes to the position of the substituted component might be made in other simplified representations of the parent assembly. The placement of a substituting component in a representation is always based on the relative placement of the substituted original components in the interchange assembly. To fully update the placement, both the design and the interchange assemblies must be in memory. If either is not in memory, Pro/ENGINEER uses the last stored relative placement. For every successful regeneration with new placements, it stores the new relative placement for the component when you use Save in the FILE menu. How to Substitute a Simplified Representation for a Subassembly or Part 1. Choose EDIT REP > Substitute; then select the component to substitute. The Component Substitute dialog box appears. 2. Choose By Simplfd Rep; then click Browse. The Select a Rep dialog box appears. It lists all existing simplified representations for the given subassembly or part. 3. Choose a simplified representation for the component. After you make your choice, the system substitutes the indicated representation for the component. How to Substitute all Occurrences of a Component in One Action 1. Choose EDIT REP > Substitute and SELECT MDL > By Rule > Model Name. The Component Substitute dialog box appears. Note: You can use any selection by rule functionality. If different models satisfy the rule, the system prompts you to select one of them.

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2. Use the Component Substitute dialog box to select the substituting component. The system substitutes all components with the same name. When you have substituted components in a simplified representation, you can perform the following procedures on the substituting components while the representation is active, and the system should automatically reflect them in the Master Representation: PackagingIf a substituted component is packaged and you reposition the substituting component, the substituted component updates its position. MovingIf you move a substituting component, the original and its children in memory is updated as well. If you substitute a component model for one instance of a repeated subassembly, then move the substituting component, the system reflects the change in all instances of the subassembly, regardless of whether they have been substituted. Modifying dimensionsIf you select a substituting component, the dimensions of the substituted component appear, and you can then select and modify them. RegeneratingIf you regenerate, both the substituting component and the substituted component are updated.

The following figure shows an example of a simplified representation using the Substitute option.

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Example of Simplified Representation Using Substitute


The Master Representation of assembly with a complex subassembly. Simplify interchange with a simplified subassembly and the complex subassembly.

Simplified representation with a simplified representation of the complex subassembly substituted:

The SELECT MDL Menu


The SELECT MDL menu appears either when you have named a new simplified representation and defined the default rule or when you are redefining an existing representation. This menu allows you to select components on which to apply actions from the EDIT REP menu, and displays the following options: Pick MdlSelects a component feature in the Model Tree Window. AllSelects all features shown in the Model Tree Window. From/ToSelects a range of models in the Model Tree Window.

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By RuleUses rules to select components and perform actions on them (see Using Rules for Selection in a Simplified Representation on page 6 - 13). By RepSelects models that are active in another simplified representation (see Selecting Components Within Another Simplified Representation on page 6 - 18). By EnvelopeSelects models that are represented by a previously defined envelope (see Envelopes on page 6 - 21).

Using Rules for Selection in a Simplified Representation


You can perform actions on selected components in a simplified representation using the By Rule command in the SELECT MDL menu. Pro/ENGINEER applies the action to all components for which the rule evaluates as true. The By Rule command is a selection tool; the system does not store rules with the object. Once it evaluates a rule, it returns to the RULE SEL menu so you can perform another action. Using By Rule, you can select components in an assembly based on their location within a zone or sphere relative to the following: The model name Size of the parts relative to the assembly Designated parameters Skeleton model

To determine the location and model size of the part relative to the assembly, the system uses the bounding box (for more information, see Bounding Box on page 6 - 17). Using the Rule Sel Menu When you choose By Rule from the SELECT MDL menu, the RULE SEL menu displays the following options: Simplified Representations In ZoneSelects a previously defined zone. Model NameSelects a component based on the model name. SizeSpecifies the absolute or relative value of the size of the model based on the length of the diagonal of the bounding box. Displays the SET SIZE menu with the following options:

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RelativeSpecifies a limit size relative to the size of the top-level assembly (a value between 0 and 1, where 1 represents the size of the bounding box of the top-level assembly ). AbsoluteSpecifies an absolute limit size relative to the units of the top-level assembly. Greater ThanSelects only models of a size that is greater than the limit. Less ThanSelects only models of a size that is less than the limit.

DistanceSelects all components whose bounding boxes intersect a sphere at a certain distance from a given point or from the center point of a given component. Displays the SPECIFY CTR menu with the following options: Point/VertexSelects a vertex or datum point from which to evaluate the distance. Comp CenterSelects the center of a component from which to evaluate the distance. On SurfaceEnables you to use the mouse to select a point on an existing surface. Offset CsysSelects an existing coordinate system. You then specify the x-, y-, or z-offset from it.

Once you specify the center of the sphere, the screen is updated to display both the sphere and its center point in green. The Distance dialog box appears and allows you to enter the radius of the sphere. The size of the sphere updates on the screen as the radius value is modified. ExpressionSpecifies a logical expression containing designated parameters from assembly components (for information on using relations, see the chapter Relations in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Skeleton Includes all skeleton models of the assembly and subassembly in the simplified representation or excludes them (for more information, see Creating Skeleton Models on page 3 - 11).

Selecting a Component Based on Its Location To select a component based on its location relative to the assembly, choose the In Zone or Distance command from the RULE SEL menu; then select a previously defined zone from the ZONE NAMES menu or specify a sphere using the SPECIFY CTR menu.
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Using this selection method, the following occurs: The system applies the action to a part or subassembly if the bounding box of the part is partially or entirely inside the zone or sphere, or if the bounding box of the subassembly is entirely inside the zone or sphere. It does not apply the action to a part or subassembly if its bounding box is entirely outside the zone or sphere. If the bounding box of the subassembly is partially inside the zone or sphere, the system automatically evaluates its components.

Selecting a Component Using the Model Name To select a component using the model name, choose the Model Name command from the RULE SEL menu and enter the name of the model. You can use wildcards to search for a name. Using this selection method, the following occurs: The system applies the action to a part of subassembly if the name matches the string you enter. It does not apply the action to a part if the part name does not match the string you enter. If a subassembly name does not match the string you enter, the system automatically evaluates its components.

Selecting a Component Based on Its Size To select a component based on its size relative to the assembly, choose the Size command from the RULE SEL menu and enter the absolute or relative value representing the size of the model. Using this selection method, the following occurs: If you enter a value using the Greater Than option, the system applies the action to a part if its bounding box is greater than the given value. It does not apply the action to a part or subassembly if its bounding box is less than (or equal to) the given value. If the bounding box of the subassembly is greater than the given value, the system automatically evaluates its components.

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If you use the Less Than command to enter a value, the system applies the action to a part or subassembly if its bounding box is less than the given value. It does not apply the action to a part if its bounding box is greater than (or equal to) the given value. If the bounding box of the subassembly is greater than (or equal to) the given value, the system automatically evaluates its components.

Selecting a Component Using Parameters To select a component using parameters, choose the Expression command from the RULE SEL menu and enter a logical expression containing designated parameters from assembly components (for more information on using relations, see the chapter Relations in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). You must designate parameters and save them in the model. Using this selection method, the following occurs: The system applies the action to a part or subassembly if the parameter satisfies the expression. For expressions using or (for example, type==electrical or cost<=10), the rule evaluates as true if either expression is true even if the second parameter is not defined. It does not apply the action to a part or subassembly if the parameter does not satisfy the expression or the parameter does not exist. If a subassembly has undefined symbols, the system automatically evaluates its components.

Selecting Skeleton Models When selecting components to use in a simplified representation, you can expand each subassembly and include the skeleton model, and/or its components. Using the Skeleton command in the RULE SEL menu, you can include or exclude all skeleton models of the assembly and subassembly in the simplified representation. When you create VRML output by exporting an assembly that is in session, the system exports all objects that are in the current representation. If you do not want to export skeleton models to VRML, you can exclude them from the representation of the assembly using the Skeleton command in the RULE SEL menu.

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Bounding Box The bounding box is the smallest box that fully encloses the part or assembly in three-dimensional space. It encloses all solid geometry, datums, and surfaces. When you modify an assembly while you are in a simplified representation (for example, adding or deleting a component), the bounding box is not updated because the system calculates it from the display outline of the simplified representation, not the complete assembly. Therefore, the assembly bounding box is updated only when you switch to the Master Representation. If you are working on a simplified representation, and you worked on the Master Representation previously, the system records the bounding box correctly on the disk. Pro/ENGINEER stores bounding boxes for part and assembly instances correctly with the generic models so that rules apply accurately to the instances. However, it cannot determine the location of parts in instances without retrieving the instance and the generic model and regenerating them unless you are using instance accelerator files (for more information, see the chapter Family Tables in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Because this is extremely time-consuming, the rules applied to instances that are not in memory use the position of the components as recorded in the generic model. This also applies to assembly features. If an assembly feature (not visible at the part level) cuts away half of a part in an assembly, the system applies the rule as if the assembly feature were not there. How to View the Bounding Box 1. Select Info > Model Size. 2. Select the component for which you want to view the bounding box. The bounding box appears in green around the component, and the message window displays the length of the bounding box diagonal. Note: You can also use the Model Size column in the Model Tree window to see the length of the bounding box diagonal (see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2).

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Selecting Components Within Another Simplified Representation


When creating a simplified representation, you can use the By Rep command in the SELECT MDL menu to use components within another simplified representation. The By Rep command is a selection tool only; the new representation will not be updated if the representation referenced when using the By Rep command is modified. There is no associativity created between the two representations. When you choose the Master, Exclude, Geometry, Graphics, or Default action from the EDIT REP menu, the system affects components in the selected representation as follows: If the default rule for the selected simplified representation is Master, Geometry, or Graphics, the system applies the action to a component unless it has been explicitly excluded or substituted in the selected simplified representation. If the default rule for the selected simplified representation is Exclude, the system applies the action to a component unless it has been explicitly included or substituted in the selected simplified representation.

Preparing for a Simplified Representation


To make large assemblies more manageable, you can define specific regions within a model, called zones, where you can work. You can also use a tool called an envelope to create geometry that represents selected components in the assembly, or the whole assembly itself. You can access both of these large assembly tools by using the Zone and Envelope commands in the DESIGN MGR menu. The following sections describe how to create and use zones and envelopes.

Zones
You can use zones to select components in an assembly for a simplified representation (see Selecting a Component Based on Its Location on page 6 - 14). A zone consists of a set of references to datum planes and specified directions to chosen half-spaces. 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. You give each zone a name, and store it with the top-level assembly.

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How to Define a Zone 1. Choose Design Mgr > Zone. The ZONE menu displays the following options: CreateCreates a zone. RedefineModifies a selected zone. DeleteRemoves a selected zone. ShowDisplays a selected zone. ListDisplays an Information Window, listing the names of all zones in the assembly and labeling those that are suppressed.

2. Choose Create. Enter the zone name. The ZONE REFS menu appears with the Add Ref command highlighted. The SEL/CREATE DAT menu appears. 3. Select or create a datum plane to be the reference surface for the zone. The datum plane must be in the top-level assembly. You can do either one of the following: Choose Select from the SEL/CREATE DAT menu to select an existing datum plane in the top-level assembly; then choose Accept from the CONFIRM menu. Choose Create Datum from the SEL/CREATE DAT menu to create a new datum plane in the top-level assembly. The DATUM PLANE menu appears.

4. After you select or create the datum plane, an arrow appears inside the zone and the system informs you that it has added the reference successfully. The DIRECTION menu then appears. 5. Choose Flip to change the direction of the arrow, or choose Okay to keep it. All of the arrows that define the zone now are highlighted on the screen. 6. Choose Done from the ZONE REFS menu.

Viewing a Zone
To view a zone in an assembly, use the Show command in the ZONE menu. The SHOW ZONES menu appears, with the following options: Show PlanesThe defining plane for the selected zone appears in the graphic window with red arrows, as shown in the example given in the following figure.

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Highlight CompsThe components that are in the selected zone appear in the highlight color. Show Zone OnlyOnly the components that are in the selected zone or zones appear in the graphic window. Mark TreeOpens a column in the Model Tree for each selected zone. The column title is the name of the zone. For each component in the tree that is in the zone, the words In Zone appear in the column.

The ZONE NAMES menu also appears, listing all zones defined in that assembly. Choose a zone or zones from the list to activate the SHOW ZONES menu options. If a component lies in more than one zone, the system includes it in both zones. Also, if a zone intersects a component, the system includes it in that zone. Viewing a Zone in an Assembly
This zone is located on the front side (half-space) of the datum plane (ADTM1) as indicated by the direction of the arrows.

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Deleting a Zone
To delete a zone from an assembly, use the Delete command in the ZONE menu. If you delete a zone, the system does not delete datum planes that serve as references for the zone. However, if you attempt to delete one of them, it warns you that the zone is a child of this datum plane and it will delete it as well.

Envelopes
You can use envelopes to select components in an assembly for a simplified representation (see Including an Envelope Part on page 6 - 22). An envelope is a special kind of a part that has its own geometry and a list of components that it represents. To create an envelope, use the Envelope command in the DESIGN MGR menu. In a simplified representation, you can substitute the envelope geometry for the geometry of the reference components. Features created on the envelope part can reference components in the assembly, including substitute members. The default rule does not affect envelopes; the system excludes them from the simplified representation unless you explicitly substitute them for the models that they represent. You can use envelopes in multiple simplified representations, and display them in any representation by making them visible. You can also create an envelope while a simplified representation is active, without the entire Master Representation being in session. Pro/ENGINEER stores envelopes as individual part files. When it retrieves a simplified representation containing envelopes, it only retrieves the assembly file and the envelope part files. Envelope parts do not appear in the assembly BOM. They appear in the Information Window along with information concerning the part geometry and the list of reference components. Envelopes must have both geometry and a (non-empty) list of reference components. Note: Although the system stores envelopes as part files with a .prt extension, you can only use them as envelopes in the assembly in which you created them. How to Create an Envelope Part 1. Choose Design Mgr > Envelope > Create. Enter a name for the envelope. The SEL MEMBRS menu appears. 2. Using commands in the SEL MEMBRS menu, select the parts to use in the envelope. The selection commands are the same as the ones you use for simplified representations.

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3. Choose Done. The MOD ENVELOPE menu appears with Define highlighted. The ENV COMP menu also appears. 4. Choose Create; then enter a name for the envelope part. 5. Create the part and locate it with respect to the assembly. For more information, see the chapter Starting Out in Part Mode in the Part Modeling Users Guide. Instead of creating geometry on-the-fly, you can select an existing component in the assembly to use as an envelope by using the Select command in the ENV COMP menu. Since you are choosing that component as the geometry of the envelope, the system removes it from the assembly.

Including an Envelope Part


After you have created an envelope part, you can include it in a simplified representation and automatically substitute its reference components by using the By Envelope command in the SELECT MDL menu. The Model Tree Window marks the reference components with Envelope: ENVLP# in the action column. You can still include, exclude, or substitute the components represented by the envelope explicitly. For more information about using the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2. How to Include an Envelope Part in a Simplified Representation 1. Choose Substitute from the EDIT REP menu and By Envelope from the SELECT MDL menu. The SEL ENV menu appears. 2. Choose the envelope from the list. 3. After the envelope part appears, you can explicitly select individual reference components for actions such as Include, Default, or Substitute.

Modifying an Envelope Part


When you modify the list of members in an envelope, all simplified representations using that envelope are also updated to reflect the changes. How to Modify an Envelope Part in a Simplified Representation 1. Choose Redefine from the ENVELOPE menu. The SEL ENV menu appears.

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2. Choose the envelope from the list. The MOD ENVELOPE menu displays the following options: DefineCreates new elements (ones that are not already defined). ChangeModifies envelope geometry or members. Displays the SEL ELEMENT menu with the following options: NameRenames the envelope using a name that is independent of the part name. MembersSets up or modifies the list of substituted components. Displays the Model Tree Window and the SEL MEMBRS menu. GeometryModifies geometry of an envelope part. PartSelects or creates a part to use as the envelope part. Displays the ENV COMP menu.

Show RefsHighlights the envelope reference components in magenta. InfoDisplays an Information Window listing information such as the Component ID, substituted members, and envelope part name.

3. Choose Change; then choose Members or Geometry. If you choose Members, use commands in the SEL MEMBRS menu to modify the list of substituted components in the Model Tree Window. Modifying the list of components represented by an envelope automatically updates all simplified representations using this envelope (if components are added to the envelope, they do not appear in the simplified representation). If you choose Geometry, use commands in the MODIFY PART menu to modify the envelope part (see Modifying Parts within Assemblies on page 4 - 10). Simplified Representations

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Displaying an Envelope Part


After an envelope part appears, you can explicitly select individual reference components for actions such as Include, Default, or Substitute. To display an envelope in an assembly, choose Show from the ENVELOPE menu; then choose an envelope from the SEL ENV menu. The selected envelope is highlighted on the screen in magenta. To make a particular envelope visible in any simplified representation (including the Master Representation), choose Visibility from the ENVELOPE menu; then choose an envelope from the VISIBILITY menu. How to Remove Envelope Geometry from the Representation 1. Choose Default from the EDIT REP menu and By Envelope from the SELECT MDL menu. The SEL ENV menu appears. 2. Choose the envelope from the SEL ENV menu. The system removes the envelope geometry from the representation, applies a Default action to all of the reference components of the envelope, and redisplays them.

Modifying a Simplified Representation


Setting a Representation to Be Current
When setting a representation to be current, you can choose any pre-existing user-defined representation, or one of the following predefined system representations from the Open Rep dialog box: Master Repincludes the master representation of each part component of the assembly Geometry Repincludes the geometry representation of each part component of the assembly Graphics Repincludes the graphics representation of each part component of the assembly

Changing the Status


You can use the Redefine command in the SIMPLFD REP menu or the simplified rep status column in the Model Tree Window to change the status of individual components in a simplified representation. However, you cannot modify the status using the Model Tree Window if the EDIT REP menu is active.

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How to Modify the Status Using the Redefine Command in the Simplfd Ref Menu 1. Choose Redefine from the SIMPLFD REP menu. 2. Select the name of the simplified representation from the Open Rep dialog box; then click Ok. 3. Make selections from the EDIT REP menu. 4. Specify the components to modify by picking a command from the SELECT MDL menu. 5. Pick the item(s) in the model tree. Choose Done from the EDIT REP menu. The status of the component changes on the screen and the column disappears from the Model Tree Window.

How to Modify the Status Using the Pop-Up Menu in the Model Tree Window 1. Choose Tree > Columns > Add/Remove. The Add/Remove Columns dialog box appears. 2. Select Simplified Rep from the Type pull-down menu and add Current Rep (or any of the simplified representations listed) to the Current column list. 3. Select OK. A new column labeled Current Rep or REP000# appears in the Model Tree window. 4. Using your left mouse button, click on a simplified representation status for a component in the tree. A pull-down list of simplified representation statuses appears at the top of the Model Tree window 5. Select a new status from the pull-down menu. The status of the component changes. Model Tree for Redefining Simplified Representation Status

Simplified Representations

Simplied Representations

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For more information about the Model Tree Window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

Available Component Procedures


In Assembly mode, when you are in a simplified representation (that is, not in the Master Representation), you can use the Assemble, Create, Package, Delete, Suppress, Replace, Redefine, Reorder, Pattern, and Del Pattern commands in the COMPONENT menu.

Redefining Components
You can redefine components that are not substituted or excluded. If the component you are redefining was assembled in another representation, you can select another representation. Use the Component Placement dialog box to redefine the component constraints. You must define all references fully to redefine the component. If the system informs you that some references are not in memory, you can use the Retr Refs button in the Component Placement dialog box to retrieve the appropriate assemblies and parts into session, or you can redo the constraints to assign other references to it.

Restrictions
While in a simplified representation, you cannot do the following: Use the Restructure, Family Tab, and Integrate commands in the ASSEMBLY menu Use the Cutout command in the ADV COMP UTL menu Delete or suppress substituted components Redefine components that are excluded or substituted.

Retrieving a Simplified Representation


Using the Open Rep command in the File Open dialog box, you can retrieve an assembly in an existing simplified representation or create a new simplified representation as you retrieve the assembly. When retrieving a representation of an assembly, if the representation excludes all instances of a particular component, that component is not retrieved into memory.

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The system only retrieves and regenerates models that are active in the current state; it does not regenerate ones that are missing external references because of simplified representations. When retrieving the Master Representation of an assembly, it brings all models into session before retrieving substitute components. It retrieves the substitute component into session only if references to it exist. How to Retrieve a Simplified Representation 1. Select File > Open. The File Open dialog box appears. 2. Select the name of the assembly, then click Open Rep. The Open Rep dialog box appears. 3. Do either of the following: Select any of the existing simplified representations of the assembly, then click OK to open that representation. Click Create New Simplified Rep, then click OK to open the Model Tree for the assembly and create the new representation.

Simplified Representations

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7
Other Assembly Functions

Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER introduces several assembly functions that are common to all modes, such as the Model Tree window and Views. This chapter presents aspects of these functions that are unique to Assembly mode. Topic Using the Model Tree Window Reference Dimensions Information Assembly Relations Views Page 7-2 7-4 7-4 7-7 7-9

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Using the Model Tree Window


A graphical, hierarchical representation of the assembly is shown in the Model Tree window. The nodes of the model tree represent the subassemblies, parts and features that make up an assembly. The model tree can be used as a selection tool, allowing objects to be quickly identified and selected for various component and feature operations. Additionally, different types of information regarding components and features may be displayed in the model tree by toggling a variety of information columns. See the section Using the Model Tree in the chapter Running Pro/ENGINEER in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER for a complete description of the Model Tree window. Note: The system only displays one Model Tree window at a timethe tree for the active model. You can expand or compress the tree display by double-clicking with the left mouse button on the name of the component. Click and hold the right mouse button on the name or symbol of a entity in the Model Tree window to access a menu containing the following assembly operations: Modify an assembly or any component in an assembly (see Ways to Modify an Assembly on page 4 - 6). Redefine component constraints (see Redefining Component Constraints on page 3 - 15). Reroute, delete, suppress, resume, replace, and pattern components. Create, assemble, or include a new component (see Assembling a Component Parametrically on page 2 - 4). Create assembly features (see Creating Assembly Features on page 4 - 12). Create Notes (see Model Notes (Notes) on page 4 - 13 in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Control references (see Reference Control on page 8 - 2). Access model and component information (see Information on page 7 - 4). Modify the status of individual components in the current simplified representation (see Changing the Status on page 6 - 24).

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Redefine the display status of all components (see Setting Display Modes for Components on page 7 - 11). Redefine the display status of individual components (see Modifying Display Status on page 7 - 15). Note: You can only invoke an operation from the Model Tree window if there is no other active operation in the system.

Other Assembly Functions

Use the Add/Remove Columns dialog box to add columns to the Model Tree window (and remove them) displaying the following: Information items Status (regenerated, packaged, suppressed/suppression order, and so on) Feature information (number, ID, type, name) Reference control Copied references Model size

Feature Parameters Model Parameters Simplified representations Visual (display) mode Layer information Notes

How to Use the Mouse in the Assembly Model Tree Window 1. In the Model Tree window, position the cursor over the name of the assembly, part, or subassembly on which you want to operate. 2. Click and hold the right mouse button. A menu appears in the model tree and the component is highlighted in the assembly. 3. Move the cursor to the menu command you want. 4. Release the mouse button. The command is selected, and you can follow the standard procedures to complete the process.

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Reference Dimensions
You can create a reference dimension in an assembly using the same method you would use in Part mode (see the section Reference Dimensions (Ref Dim) in the chapter Part and Assembly Setup of Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). It can be a linear distance, a radial value, or an angular value. If you create reference dimensions on an assembly, you can then display them in assembly drawings.

Information
To display an Information Window providing the assembly name and the hierarchy of the names of the assembly components, you can do one of the following: Choose the Model command in the INFO menu. Select the model in the Model Tree window using the left mouse button; then use the right mouse button to display a pop-up menu. Choose Info and Model Info or Comp Info. For more information about the Model Tree window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

You can use the other commands in the INFO menu to do the following: Obtain mass properties of the assembly such as volume, center of gravity, and moments of inertia. Obtain names of files created in the current working session. Obtain measure information. Obtain information on features and parts. Obtain parent/child information. Obtain layer information concerning the entire assembly, any subassembly, or component part. Regenerate the part giving information about each feature. Generate a Bill of Materials. Show surface properties with color representation. Show curve properties with color representation. Show audit trail information about a specified model.

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For more information about any of the INFO menu options, see the chapter The Info Menu in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER.

Other Assembly Functions

Reviewing Assembly Instructions for a Component


Using the Comp Info option, you can access assembly instructions for individual components. To redefine component placement, see Redefining Component Constraints on page 3 - 15. How to Review Assembly Instructions for a Component 1. Choose Component from the Info menu. The Component Constraints dialog box appears. 2. Select a component. The constraints for that component appear in the Component Constraints dialog box. 3. Select a constraint from the list in the dialog box. Pro/ENGINEER highlights the corresponding model geometry in magenta and cyan. 4. Click Apply to display an Information Window with detailed assembly placement constraint information for the selected component. 5. Click Close to exit the Component Constraint dialog box.

Measuring Clearances
In Assembly mode, you can check clearances and interferences between parts, as well as between any two surfaces within the assembly. How to Check Clearance 1. Choose Info > Model Analysis. 2. Select one of the following options from the Type pull-down list: Pairs ClearanceSelects subassemblies, cables, surfaces, or entities to check for clearance or interference. Global ClearanceFinds all pairs of parts or subassemblies that are less than a specified clearance distance. Volume InterferenceIdentifies all components interfering with or enclosed by a closed quilt. Global InterferenceFinds all interfering pairs of parts or subassemblies.

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For more information, see Analyzing the Model in the chapter The Info Menu in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER. Note: Exploded views are only cosmetic and have no effect on clearance computations. The displayed results in such cases correspond to an unexploded model.

Bill of Materials
The Bill of Materials (BOM) provides a listing of all parts and parameters in the current assembly. The BOM and mass properties for the assembly are always based on the Master Representation and the components in the Master Representation. For more information, see Types of Representations on page 6 - 3. You can customize the BOM by doing either of the following: Customize the text output format for a particular form of presentation and content (for more information, see Viewing the Bill of Materials (BOM) in the chapter The Info Menu of Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). Use Pro/REPORT to create the BOM in table format in drawings.

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). For more information on creating bulk items, see Creating Bulk Items on page 3 - 14.

BOM and Mass Properties Behavior in Skeletons


When working with a skeleton model in an assembly, Pro/ENGINEER generates Bill of Materials (BOM) information and mass properties information that accurately reflects the design models and either the default or user-specified mass properties. However, the assembly BOM and assembly mass properties ignore skeleton models entirely when working on parts.

BOM and Mass Properties Behavior in Master Representations


To obtain the full BOM or the mass properties of the Master Representation while working with a simplified representation, you must switch to the Master Representation. Pro/ENGINEER includes included components in mass property calculations because they are in session. It does not include excluded components unless they are in session. Mass properties only reflect what is currently on the screen. The BOM lists all components of

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assemblies that are in session. Unless the 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.

Other Assembly Functions

Assembly Relations
You can add relations to parts or between parts within an assembly. Relations in Assembly mode follow the same rules discussed in the chapter Relations in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER. However, you must first specify the model to which relations apply. This can be the main assembly, a subassembly, or a part. Once specified, all relation operations apply only to the specified model. For example, if the specified model is a part, the system shows only dimensions of the part in the assembly. How to Specify the Model to Which Relations Apply From the ASSEMBLY menu, choose Relations > Assem Rel to select the current assembly or a subassembly, or Relations > Part Rel to select a part.

Rules for Assembly Relations


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.

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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.

Entering Relations in Assembly Mode


The notation you use to enter relations in Assembly mode differs from the notation you use to enter relations in Part mode (see Creating Relations in Features and Creating Relations in Features in the chapter Relations of Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER). In Assembly mode, for each assembly parameter, you must specify a session_ID that refers to a component in the assembly. The relations file contains a table that specifies the session ID for each part. 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).

Showing Dimensions in Part and Assembly Modes


You can use Show Dim in the RELATIONS menu in both Part and Assembly modes to enter a dimension in the symbolic format. The system displays the dimension in symbolic format for the model with the given session_ID. You can identify the session_ID in either of two ways: Pick a feature in the model to show dimensions; then choose Switch Dim. In the RELATIONS menu, choose Component Id; then pick 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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Views
Other Assembly Functions The VIEW menu commands are fully functional in Assembly mode. For more information, see the chapter The View Menu in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER.

Creating Exploded Views


Using basic Pro/ENGINEER, you can create and modify exploded views of components using the drag and drop functionality. If you have a license for the optional module Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES, you can create and modify multiple explode states in assemblies to define the exploded position of all components, as well as create and modify offset lines to show how explode components align when they are in their exploded positions. Using the ExplodeState command in the ASSEMBLY menu, you can automatically create an exploded view of an assembly. Exploding an assembly only affects the display of the assembly; it does not alter actual distances between components. You create explode states to define the exploded position of all components. For each explode state, you can switch the explode status of components, change the explode locations of components, and create explode offset lines. You can define multiple explode states for each assembly, and then explode the assembly using any of these explode states at any time. You can also set an explode state for each drawing view of an assembly. The system gives each component a default explode position determined by the placement constraints. By default, the reference component of the explode is the parent assembly (top-level assembly or subassembly). To explode components, you use a drag and drop user interface similar to the package functionality. The component outlines drag along with the mouse cursor. You select one or more components and the motion reference, and then drag the outlines to the desired positions. You control the type of explode motion using a Preferences setting. You can add two types of explode instructions to a set of components. The children components follow the component being exploded or they do not follow it. Each explode instruction consists of a set of components, explode direction references, and dimensions that define the exploded position from the final (installed) position with respect to the explode direction references.

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When using the explode functionality, keep in mind the following: You can select individual parts or entire subassemblies. Use Query Select to select a subassembly from the screen. If you explode a component in a member of a subassembly, in the context of a higher level assembly, it does not explode the component in the subassembly, or other members of the subassembly. You can specify the explode state to use for each subassembly. You do not lose component explode information when you turn the status off. The system retains the information so that the component has the same explode position if you turn the status back on. All assemblies have a default explode state called Default, which is the default explode state the system creates from the component placement instructions. Multiple occurrences of the same subassembly can have different explode characteristics at a higher level assembly.

Modifying Exploded Views


By choosing commands in the MOD EXPLODE menu, you can change the explode position, the explode status of components, or the explode offset lines. To repaint the screen, choose the Repaint command in the VIEW menu. How to Change the Explode Position of an Explode State 1. From the ASSEMBLY menu, choose ExplodeState > Redefine. 2. Select an explode state from the SEL STATE menu. The MOD EXPLODE menu appears. 3. Choose Position. The MTNPREF menu appears. 4. Choose a command to set up preferences for components. How to Change the Explode Status of a Component 1. From the ASSEMBLY menu, choose ExplodeState > Redefine. 2. Select an explode state from the SEL STATE menu. The MOD EXPLODE menu appears. 3. Choose Expld Status. The EXPLD STATUS and the SELECT MDL menus appear.

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4. Do one of the following: Other Assembly Functions Apply the selected action to all components in the Model Tree window by choosing Toggle Expld from the EXPLD STATUS menu and Pick Mdl from the SELECT MDL menu. For more information about using the Model Tree window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2. Use rules to select components and perform actions on them by choosing Toggle Expld from the EXPLD STATUS menu and By Rule from the SELECT MDL menu.

Using Offset Lines


If you have a license for Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES, you can use offset lines to show how exploded components align when they are in their final positions, and then modify or delete them when editing an exploded state. They appear in a dashed font.

Setting Display Modes for Components


Using the Component Display command in the VIEW menu, you can set different visualization (display) modes for components in an assembly. You can assign wireframe, hidden line, no hidden line, shaded, or blanked display modes to components. The components appear according to their display status in the current display state.

Displaying Unassigned Components


The current View > Model Display settings control the display of unassigned components as follows: The system displays components in front of the assigned component in wireframe and shows all of their edges in white (or the color they have), when you do the following: Assign one component to display its hidden lines. Leave the rest unassigned. Set the general display style to Wireframe.

The system displays the components behind the assigned part in wireframe, but does not display sections of edges masked by the hidden line component. If you set the General Display Style to Hidden Line, the system displays all components and the hidden line component in the same way.

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If you set the General Display Style to No Hidden, the system displays all components in front of the assigned component with no hidden lines, and displays the obscured edges of the hidden line component in gray and its visible edges in white. In components behind the assigned part, visible edges appear, but obscured ones do not. The edges on the other parts that the hidden line component obscures do not appear in gray. If you set the General Display Style to Shading, the system displays all unassigned components as shaded whether they are in front of or behind the hidden line component.

The display status of the components in the assembly affects only the top-level assembly. The system stores the information about display modes for an assembly in that assembly, not in the components. In an assembly, you can activate display modes that you establish in a subassembly, but when you make changes to the subassembly component status at the top assembly, they affect only the display of the top assembly. Components in a subassembly may have certain defined modes before you assemble the subassembly into the assembly. Use the setting of that subassembly in the assembly by using the By Display command in the Edit Display menu. The system chooses one of the established modes in the subassembly and displays it accordingly. If you change the display mode of two components of the subassembly to wireframe, for example, it displays the subassembly in its new setting, and shows the change in the top-level assembly. As a result, if you retrieve the subassembly in another session, it retains the visualization modes that you assigned to it. When you use various visualization modes, keep in mind the following: The display mode of the components in an assembly overrides the General Display Style setting. You cannot mix General Display Style settings and different modes on individual components. When you select a component and assign a display mode to it, the unassigned components appear in accordance with the General Display Style setting. You can store the established state of components with assigned display modes and retrieve them by name so that you can return the model to regular display mode without losing established settings.

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Only one display state can be active at one time. Other Assembly Functions You can change visualization modes in simplified representations and exploded assemblies as well.

How to Set the Display Status of a Component 1. Choose View > Model Setup > Component Display. 2. The COMP DISPLAY menu displays the following tabs: CreateCreates a new component display state. Set CurrentSets the current component display state. CopyCopies an existing component display state. RedefineEdits an existing component display state. DeleteRemoves an existing component display state. ListAllows you to view existing component display states.

3. Choose Create, and enter a name for the component display state. 4. The system displays the Model Tree window and the EDIT DISPLAY menu. For more information about using the Model Tree window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2. Choose one of these menu options from the EDIT DISPLAY menu to set the display status: BlankBlanks components in the current component display state. WireframeApplies wireframe mode display to assigned components. Hidden lineApplies Hidden Line display mode to assigned components. No HiddenApplies No Hidden Line display mode to assigned components. ShadingApplies Shading display mode to assigned components. By DisplayUses the display state of a subassembly in this display state. After you select a subassembly, the By Rep dialog box displays a list of possible component display states for that subassembly. UndoRemoves the display operation on selected components. Resets the display of selected components to normal mode.

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InfoDisplays the Information Window showing all assigned display states for a selected component. Undo LastUndoes the last action applied. UpdateScreenDisplays the current state as it is defined. Display ModeSets the rule for component display in the Model Tree Window. Displays the DISPLAY MODE menu.

5. Choose one of these options from the SELECT MDL menu to assign this status to assembly components: Pick MdlUses the Model Tree window to select components in the assembly tree structure. If you choose a subassembly, the system marks it and all of its components. AllSelects all the components in the assembly. From/ToSelects the first and the last component in the assembly tree structure. The system marks these components and all the components in between. If a subassembly falls into this range, it marks the subassembly and all of its components. By RuleSets up a rule for component selection (for more information, see Using Rules for Selection in a Simplified Representation on page 6 - 13). By RepSelects models active in other representations.

The following figure illustrates how to set the display status of a component.

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Setting the Display Status Other Assembly Functions

Choose Shade, From/To, and select the first component.

Select the last component.

Modifying Display Status


You can modify the display status of individual components using the Model Tree window or using the Redefine command in the COMP DISPLAY menu.

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How to Redefine the Display Status (Visualization Mode) of an Individual Component Using the Model Tree Window 1. From the menu bar at the top of the Model Tree window, choose Tree > Columns > Add/Remove. The Add/Remove Columns dialog box appears. 2. Select Visual Modes from the Type pull-down menu and add Comp Display (or any of the display modes listed) to the Current column list. 3. Select OK. A new column labeled Comp Display or VIS000# appears in the Model Tree window. 4. Using your left mouse button, pick a display status; then select a new display status from the pull-down menu at the top of the Model Tree window. The display status of the component changes after you make your selection. Model Tree for Redefining Component Display Status

How to Redefine the Display Status of an Individual Component Using the Redefine Command in the Comp Display Menu 1. Choose View > Model Setup > Component Display > Redefine. 2. Select the name of the component display state from the Open Rep dialog box, then choose Ok. The system adds a column to the Model Tree window labeled with the name of the display state (for example, EDIT: VIS0001). 3. Make selections from the EDIT DISPLAY menu.

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4. Select the item(s) in the Model Tree window or on the graphics screen. Choose Done from the EDIT DISPLAY menu. The visualization mode of the component changes on the screen and the column disappears from the Model Tree window. If the display status you need is not listed in the pull-down menu at the top of the Model Tree window, enter it in the text box. For more information about the Model Tree window, see Using the Model Tree Window on page 7 - 2.

Other Assembly Functions

Other Assembly Functions

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8
Reference Tools

The reference control and investigation tools available in Pro/ENGINEER enable you to trace and understand easily the references that you make among features in a design. Specifically, these tools clarify the external reference relationships that exist among models in an assembly. Topic Frequently Used Terminology Reference Control Reference Investigation Page 8-2 8-2 8-9

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Frequently Used Terminology


You should be familiar with the following terms: ReferenceIf a reference exists between two items, a relationship exists between them. As a noun, a reference is an item (such as an entity, dimension, or a parameter) that is used to create a relationship. As an adjective, a referenced object is an item that is related to another item. For example, using the Global Reference Viewer, you can view the list of models and features that have external or local referencesrelationships to other objects inside or outside of the assembly. DependencyA dependency defines a relationship between two items. If an item is dependent on another item, it cannot exist without it and must change with it. For example, when you create a Copy Geom feature, it is dependent by default; that is, if you change the original part geometry which was referenced to create the Copy Geom feature, the geometry in the Copy Geom feature is updated accordingly. Parent/ChildAs with basic Pro/ENGINEER, a child is an item that is dependent on another item for its existence. A parent is the item that has other items dependent on it for their existence. For example, when a model or feature has an external dependency, the referenced models and features are the parents.

Reference Control
You can define a scope where creation of external references to other models is allowed in the context of an assembly, manufacturing model, or process plan. You can also define the system behavior upon attempting to create an external reference violating the defined scope. The reference control settings may be run-time only while applying to all objects in the session (Environment settings) or they may be set for each specific object and stored with it (Object Specific settings).

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Reference Control Environment


Using the Ref Control command in the Utilities menu to open the Reference Control dialog box, you can define an environment scope setting. The settings specified in the Environment menu apply to all components which do not have an object specific scope setting, as well as to all components which have a less restrictive object specific scope control. The Environment settings only apply while working in the session where they are set. They do not affect the internal database of the object. Reference Control Dialog Box

Reference Tools

Object Specific Reference Control


In addition to the global environment scope settings, you can specify a particular scope setting and reference handling scheme for a particular object. The information is stored with the object and will be in effect for each assembly in which the object appears. There are several ways to control the reference scope and handling for a component: Use Set Up > Ref Control to set the reference scope and handling for a part in Part mode.

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Use Modify > Mod Part > Ref Control to set the reference scope and handling for a part within an assembly. Use Modify > Mod Subasm > Design Mgr > Ref Control to set the reference scope and handling for a subassembly within an assembly. Open the Ref Control column in the Model Tree, then use the right mouse button to select Ref Control for a part or subassembly within an assembly.

Any of these methods opens the Reference Control dialog box. Settings are the same as for environmental reference control. If there are object specific settings, as well as an environmental setting for scope control on an object, the system will enforce the more restrictive setting for the object. You can see current object specific reference control settings for each model in the Ref Scope column of the Model Tree window.

Scope of Components to be Referenced


In the Scope of Components to be Referenced area of the Reference Control dialog box, you can specify one of four settings to control which models can be externally referenced in an assembly: All, Subassembly, Skeleton, or None. Note: The reference capability of a skeleton model is not affected by the scope setting of its associated subassembly.

All
For PartThe part is able to make external references to any other part, subassembly or skeleton model in the assembly. This setting is equal to having no scope control at all. For SubassemblyThe subassembly is able to make external references to any other subassemblies, parts or skeleton models in the assembly. This setting is equal to having no scope control at all. For Skeleton ModelThe skeleton model is able to make external references to any other skeleton model, part or subassembly in the assembly. This setting is equal to having no scope control at all.

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Subassembly
For PartThe part is able to make external references to other parts in the same subassembly as the part being modified, subassemblies and their subcomponents which are in the same subassembly as the part being modified, and the skeleton model of the subassembly to which the part being modified belongs. Reference Tools For SubassemblyThe subassembly is able to make external references to other subassemblies and their subcomponents, which are in the same parent subassembly as the subassembly being modified. Also, the skeleton model of the parent subassembly may be referenced, as well as any parts which also exist in the parent subassembly. For Skeleton ModelThe skeleton model is able to make external references to any parts or subassemblies (and their subcomponents) of the subassembly to which it belongs, and also those of a higher level subassembly where the subassembly belongs.
Skeleton model

Illustration of the Subassembly Reference Control Definition Option


Assembly

Modified component Allowed scope

Modified component Allowed scope

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Skeleton Model
For PartThe part may reference the skeleton model of the subassembly to which it belongs, or any higher level skeleton model which is a direct ancestor of it. For SubassemblyThe subassembly may reference the skeleton model of the parent subassembly to which it belongs, or any higher level skeleton model which is a direct ancestor of it. For Skeleton ModelThe skeleton model may reference any higher level skeleton model which is a direct ancestor of it.

None
For PartThe part may have no external references. For SubassemblyThe subassembly may have no external references (references to its own components and their subcomponents are allowed). For Skeleton ModelThe skeleton model may have no external references.

Illustration of the None Reference Control Definition Option


Assembly Skeleton model

Modified component Allowed scope

Modified component Allowed scope

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Handling Out-of-Scope External References


In the Reference Handling area of the Reference Control dialog box, you can specify the behavior of the system if you attempt to create an external reference to a model that is outside of the specified scope. The following options are available when the scope is set to Subassembly, Skeleton Model, or None: Reference Tools Prohibit Out-Of-Scope ReferencesThe system aborts the action if you attempt to create an external reference that violates the scope. The system also displays a message indicating for which model scope has been violated.This is the default behavior. Copy Out-Of-Scope ReferencesAllows the creation of out-of-scope references. If you attempt to create an external reference that violates the specified scope, the system displays a warning. You can then either abort the reference creation or explicitly copy such an out-of-scope reference. If you copy a reference, the system copies its local copy automatically to the part or assembly and references this local copy (but still checks for changes to the parent reference when it is in session). Keep in mind that this local copy is not visible. A feature with a local copy looks and behaves like any other featurethe only difference is that if its reference parent is not in session and you retrieve the part with the locally copied reference, the feature reference is temporarily frozen and the system uses the local copy. When the parent reference is again in session, the dependency returns. Note: The system cannot create an internal local copy of external dependencies for some feature types such as cut out, merge, gather, copy surface, trim, extract, split, and shadow.

Reference Status for Features with Locally Copied References


When the locally copied references which are backed up are missing in the original part (for example, they were deleted or suppressed), the feature that depends on that reference fails the regeneration. You can then redefine or reroute it and select a replacement reference. You can prevent features with backed up references from failing when a reference is missing by setting the configuration file option fail_ref_copy_when_missing_orig to no. This automatically freezes all copied references with missing parents.

Reference Tools

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When you are working in this mode, information on the status of locally copied references in the Copied Refs column of the Model Tree Window may be useful. For more information, refer to When References Are Missing on page 3 - 23 and The Reference Status Column in the Model Tree Window on page 3 - 23.

Specifying Default Settings


You can use the following configuration file options to specify the default settings for external reference scope, out-of-scope reference handling, and reference scope modification. To specify the default settings for the reference control environment, set the configuration file option default_ext_ref_scope to all (default), none, skeletons, or subassemblies. 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 (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. To control whether or not 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. The default setting is yes. The Environment scope settings will still be enforced.

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Reference Investigation
You can use the Global Reference Viewer to identify the features in a model that have external or local references and the chain of dependencies from the feature to the referenced entity. You can also obtain information about the models that have external or local references to a specified model. Reference Tools Using the Global Ref Viewer command in the Info menu (for the top-level assembly or in part mode) or in the DESIGN MGR menu (for the current assembly level), you can access the Global Reference Viewer dialog box. To activate the Global Reference Viewer for a subassembly, from the ASSEMBLY menu choose Modify, then Mod Subasm, then Design Mgr, then Global Ref Viewer. If you choose a command from a Pro/ENGINEER menu while the Global Reference Viewer dialog box is on the screen, the Global Reference Viewer automatically exits. However, you can select information options from the Model Tree pop-up windows without exiting the Global Reference Viewer. Notes: If the Global Reference Viewer dialog box is on the screen, you cannot modify the assembly. If you close the Global Reference Viewer (using File > Close) and open it again in the same session, it keeps the reference information and updates only the changes to the assembly. If you exit the Global Reference Viewer (using File > Exit), it throws away the reference information and needs to reinvestigate the entire assembly when you open it again. However, this frees all the memory that the Global Reference Viewer was using, and may improve performance while you are not working in the Global Reference Viewer.

Using this tool, you can do the following: View the list of models and features that have external or local references. For each model or feature with an external or local dependency, you can look at the referenced models and features (parents) and determine the assembly context in which the dependency was created (if not in the context of the assembly). View the list of models and their features that are referenced. For each model or feature that is referenced, you can look at the model or feature that references it (children), and determine the assembly context in which the dependency was created (if in the context of an assembly).
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Reference Tools

Scroll through the dependencies to easily identify the parents or children of a model or feature and investigate their dependencies. Investigate local references in an assembly. Note: If the configuration file option erv_show_external_only is set to yes (default is no), the Global Reference Viewer does not collect information about local references and represents external references only.

The Global Reference Viewer Dialog Box


The Global Reference Viewer dialog box shows a filtered version of the Model Tree of the assembly that you are working on. It allows you to set the filter for the tree, navigate through the tree, select a component for investigation, and open the following: Parent and Child References dialog boxLists all references for the currently selected model or feature. Full Path windowDisplays information about the path of the reference (see Full Path Window on page 8 - 16). Info windowDisplays other information about references (see Information Window on page 8 - 18). Global Reference Viewer Dialog Box

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The following menus and areas are available: FileThis menu allows you to exit or close the Global Reference Viewer. CloseExit and keep all reference information. The Global Reference Viewer open quicker next time. In case the assembly is changed, the Global Reference Viewer information is updated automatically. For large assemblies, this can occupy quite a bit of memory. ExitExit and erase all information. If you open the Global Reference Viewer again, it will need to reinvestigate all references. However, memory which would have been occupied by reference information is available.

Reference Tools

TreeThis menu determines the displayed Model Tree through the following options: ExpandExpand the whole tree, an entire branch of the tree, or one particular model on the tree. CollapseCollapse the whole tree, an entire branch of the tree, or one particular model on the tree. ColumnsDisplays Info Columns in the Global Reference Viewer. FeaturesDisplays features in addition to the parts and subassemblies. HighlightHighlights objects (such as assemblies, components, and features) in the graphics window to allow you to graphically view their location.

ActionsThis menu opens dialog boxes or windows with the following commands: Set CurrentCalls or updates the Parent and Child References window to display the selected component or feature as current for investigation (see How to Choose an Object for Investigation on page 8 - 15). InfoDisplays information about specified external and/or local (depending on the filter setting) dependencies of a selected component or feature (see Information Window on page 8 - 18). Full PathShows external and/or local (depending on the filter setting) reference chains or threads, detailing the path that the reference traverses (see Full Path Window on page 8 - 16).

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All Full PathShows external and local reference chains or threads for all references in the current view (see Full Path Window on page 8 - 16).

Filter SettingThis area provides the following options to determine which objects are available in the Model Tree: FeatureDisplays objects with features that are either referenced or are referencing (see Feature Dependencies on page 8 - 12). ModelDisplays objects which have references due to model operations (see Model Dependencies on page 8 - 13). ComponentDisplays components which have references due to component placement operations (see Placement Dependencies on page 8 - 13). ExternalDisplays objects that are external parents or children. LocalDisplays objects that are local parents or children. AllDisplays both local and external parents and children. Objects with ParentsDisplays child objects. Objects with ChildrenDisplays parent objects. All ObjectsDisplays both parent and child objects.

Dependencies Displayed by the Global Reference Viewer


The Global Reference Viewer can display three major groups of references or dependencies in an assembly: features, models, and components. For each of these types of references, the Global Reference Viewer can display either external references or local references or both.

Feature Dependencies
Feature dependencies are created in the context of an assembly and can be external references or local references. External dependencies are created by a feature referencing some geometry which does not belong to the model where the feature is created. For external references, the assembly where the two components existed when the dependency was created is another important characteristic of the dependency. Local references are created by features that only reference geometry of the model in which they were created.

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For example, an assembly cut intersecting the assembly components and using their geometry is a local reference in the context of this assembly. However, if an assembly feature of a subassembly component references geometry outside of the subassembly, such as a top-level part component, then this type of reference is considered external for the subassembly. If a feature is set as current, all models that are referenced by this feature or are referencing this feature appear in the Parents and Children lists. You can expand these models to show the features that participate in dependencies with the current feature. If a component is set as current, all parents and children of its features appear. Reference Tools

Model Dependencies
Model dependencies are created directly from one model to another, independent of any assembly, and are always external. This group includes many types of dependencies that are created directly between two models or a feature and a model (such as relations and merges). Many of them are not created in the assembly context, so they do not need the assembly where they are created to provide their essential characteristics. Models that have only model type dependencies usually do not expand to features since their features do not participate in the dependency (exceptions are feature relations using external parameters and merge references).

Placement Dependencies
External placement dependencies occur when some geometry that does not belong to the subassembly or its components is used in placing a component of a subassembly. If such an external reference is used for placement, the design intent of the subassembly is unclear outside of the context of the higher level assembly in which the reference was created. Also the subassembly will always have an external dependency to this parent assembly, making it difficult to reuse in other designs. Local placement dependencies occur when placement uses geometry of components of the same subassembly (or their subcomponents).

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When you set a subassembly as current, the system first considers it as a component and checks whether or not its own placement in a higher level subassembly is using some external (in the context of the higher level subassembly) geometry; then it checks components of the current subassembly (only its own components) to see if it is using some of them for placement geometry out of the current subassembly. You can view these types of placement references separately by selecting Component in the Filter Setting area of the Global Reference Viewer dialog box and either Component or Model as the Reference Owner Type in the Parent and Child References dialog box. If you select Component, only placement references used to assemble the subassembly itself are shown. If you select Model, only placement references for the subassembly components are listed.

Dependencies to Another Assembly


When investigating dependencies in an assembly, features may exist that were created in the context of another assembly. Therefore, these external dependencies point to a component in another assembly. In the case when the other assembly is in session, the corresponding parent (or child) component has a name of the assembly next to it in parentheses [for example, PARENT.PRT (OTHERASM)]. Setting such an object as current replaces the current assembly tree on the left side with a filtered tree of OTHERASM.ASM. You can investigate other dependencies in the context of this assembly. When you select a previous item from the Current Object menu, you restore the tree of your initial assembly. In the case when the other assembly is not in session, the system cannot determine which component inside this other assembly participates in an external dependency. It can only show the other assembly as the context of the dependency. You then see the following parent OTHERASM.ASM (you cannot show a child from another assembly that is not in session). If you select this parent and try to set it as current, the system tells you that you should retrieve the assembly first. If you confirm this, the Global Reference Viewer automatically retrieves it and shows its tree on the left side. The system behaves then as described above for an assembly that is in session.

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How to Choose an Object for Investigation 1. Select Info > Global Ref Viewer, then use the Tree menu and the Filter area to specify the objects displayed in the Model Tree in the viewing area (see Dependencies Displayed by the Global Reference Viewer on page 8 - 12). 2. Select Tree > Highlight. You can then select an object in the filtered model tree, and that component will appear in the default highlight color in the assembly on the graphic screen. 3. Select a component or feature to investigate and then set it as current by either choosing Actions > Set Current or double-clicking on that object in the tree. Note: Click the right mouse button on an item in the tree to access commands in the Actions menu directly. A red arrow appears in the tree to the left of the name of the object. The Parent and Child References dialog box appears (see Parent and Child References Dialog Box on page 8 - 15). 4. Select Actions > Full Path to open the Full Path window for the current object (see Full Path Window on page 8 - 16). 5. Select Actions > Info to open the Info window for the current object (see Information Window on page 8 - 18). Reference Tools

Parent and Child References Dialog Box


When you set a component as the current item, the Parent and Child References dialog box appears with a list of components that are referenced by the selected component (parents), and components that reference the selected component (children). When you select another component or feature in the Global Reference Viewer dialog box and set it as current, the Parent and Child Reference dialog box is updated to show the newly selected item as current and lists its parents and children.

Reference Tools

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Parent and Child References Dialog Box

You can expand parent references down to the feature that is referenced. If a parent (or child) component has only dependencies directly to its model (for example, a relation using an external parameter), it does not expand. If you have selected Tree > Highlight, you can also highlight objects (such as assemblies, components, and features) in the graphics window by selecting a component in either list. You can also click the right mouse button on an item in either the Children or Parents windows to open the Full Path or Info window, or set the item to be current. Note: When you are working with a single part, if you set the part itself current in the Global Reference Viewer dialog box, the part will appear in the Parents area of the Parent and Child Reference dialog box with an expanded list of parent features and also in the Children area with an expanded list of children features.

Full Path Window


Using the Actions > Full Path selection or the right mouse button pop-up menu in the Global Reference Viewer dialog box, you can show reference chains or threads in the following format: Referencing feature > Part to which the Referencing Feature Belongs > Assembly > Referenced Part > Referenced Feature (of Referenced Part) > Referenced Entity

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The chain details the path that the reference traverses. When you choose a component or feature from the Parents or Children page, you can show dependency chains that end at the selected object or start from it. The chain always goes from referencing feature to referenced entity, regardless of whether a parent or child is selected. If you choose Actions > All Full Path, the Full Path window displays the reference paths for all dependencies in the entire assembly appearing in the Global Reference Viewer dialog box. Note: The system shows the reference path in a separate Full Path window, as shown in the following figure. Simultaneously, it creates a file ermfullpath.inf in a local directory that contains the same information. When you choose the Full Path command button for other objects, the system reuses the file ermfullpath.inf. Full Path Window Reference Tools

Reference Tools

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Information Window
Use the Actions > Info selection from the Global Reference Viewer dialog box (or in the right mouse button pop-up menu) to obtain information about specified dependencies. When you choose a component or feature from the Parents or Children page, you can show information about dependencies in which the selected object participates. If you do not select either a parent or child and choose the command button, the system provides you with information concerning all of the dependencies of the current model or feature. Notes: The system displays the information in a separate Information dialog box, as shown in the following figure. Simultaneously, it creates a file erm_info.inf in a local directory that contains the same information. When you choose the Info command button for other objects, the system reuses the file erm_info.inf. The Global Reference Viewer will also display system created references. These are references that are not specifically selected by the user, but are still required by the feature. They are automatically selected during feature creation. These references are designated as System Refs in the Full Path and Information windows.

Information Window for Global Reference Viewer

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

9
Layouts

The functionality described in this chapter is available with the optional module Pro/NOTEBOOK. Pro/NOTEBOOK acts as an engineering notebook, enabling you to create two-dimensional (2-D) conceptual sketches, called layouts, for beginning the design process and maintaining design intent as you develop solid models. The Drawing Users Guide provides detailed descriptions of the drafting functionality that is available with Pro/NOTEBOOK, descriptions of layout sheet management, and format selection. If you have a license for Pro/INTERFACE, you can use interface functions in Layout mode. If you have a license for Pro/DETAIL, you can create tables, modify text, and perform additional procedures on detail items. Topic 2-D Layouts and Layout Mode Creating a Layout Associating Layouts Automatic Assembly Spreadsheets Case Studies Page 9-2 9-4 9 - 10 9 - 19 9 - 22 9 - 24

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2-D Layouts and Layout Mode


A layout enables you to define the basic requirements and constraints of an assembly without having to deal with extensive or detailed geometry. It is a 2-D sketch you create in Layout mode to document and annotate parts and assemblies in a conceptual way. For instance, a layout can be a conceptual block diagram or reference sketch for your solid models, establishing parameters and relationships for their dimensions and placement to facilitate automatic assembly of the members. Layouts are not precision scaled drawings, and are not associative with actual three-dimensional (3-D) model geometry. A Layout Sketch
global datum axis global datum plane

red side balloon note

yellow side

PIN LAYOUT

1214-5

Purpose of Layout Creation


There are four reasons to create layouts: To develop the envelopes or basic part geometry for component parts To define mounting points and placement relationships between parts

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To determine fits, sizes, and other relationships between critical design parameters To document the assembly as a whole

Use layouts also to define a set of global parameters for use in an assembly and its members, or as spreadsheets for calculating important values based on changes in the values of a set of parameters.

How Layouts Work


Layouts fulfill their purpose by providing global relations for use with dimensions, and global placement constraints in the form of reference datums. Use layouts to establish the presence of references, datum planes, axes, coordinate systems, and points. Later, as you design and assemble parts together, Pro/ENGINEER recognizes the presence of datums that correspond to the references established in the layout. For example, when two parts reference the same reference axis, Pro/ENGINEER knows to align those axes. When two parts reference the same reference datum, Pro/ENGINEER knows to align those surfaces. The establishment of these references facilitates assembly and at the same time preserves design intent while you modify the detail of the parts.

Layouts

Organizing and Saving Layout Information


Pro/ENGINEER stores in a layout file the sketched geometry and annotations that you create in a layout. You create, store, and access the reference information (global parameters and datums) through the layout. To save layouts, use the Save command in the FILE menu. The system saves layouts referenced by a model whenever it saves the model, and gives them the file extension .lay.

Layouts

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Creating a Layout
To enter Layout mode, open or create a layout. How to Create a New Layout 1. Choose File > New > Layout and enter a name for the layout. The New Layout dialog box appears. 2. To retrieve an existing format, specify the format you will use. or To set the size of the sheet, select the orientation and the size of the new layout. For more information on how to choose a drawing size, see the chapter Drawing Formats in the Drawing Users Guide. 3. Click OK. The LAYOUT and DETAIL menus appear. Like drawings, layouts can consist of multiple sheets. When you choose the Sheets command from the LAYOUT menu, the SHEETS menu appears for adding, removing, and reordering sheets of the layout, as well as moving layout entities from one sheet to another. For more information, see the chapter 2-D Drafting in the Drawing Users Guide.

Sketching Layout Geometry


You create, detail, and annotate layouts using the sketching capability and tools of Draft mode. Pro/NOTEBOOK offers you the ability to sketch and manipulate draft entities, so you do not need a license for Pro/DETAIL. However, you must have a license for Pro/DETAIL to define and store drawing symbols, modify the drawing setup file, or create drawing tables. How to Create Draft Entities for a Layout 1. Choose Sketch from the DETAIL menu. 2. Use the DRAFT GEOM menu to create draft entities. Using the Delete command in the DETAIL menu, you can delete all entities sketched on a layout. For a complete description of the creation and manipulation of draft entities, see the chapter 2-D Drafting in the Drawing Users Guide.

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Reference Datums
You sketch and name global reference datum planes, axes, coordinate systems, and points in Layout mode. Place the reference datums so that they constrain the placement of parts represented in the layout. Although the datum geometry in layouts has only visual significance, the system uses the datum names established in a layout to relate corresponding datums in associated parts to prepare for automatic assembly. Since layouts are two-dimensional, the system always displays datum planes on edge, with both their red and yellow sides visible. You can only represent them with their surfaces normal to the layout sheet. Datum coordinate systems always have their xy-plane in the plane of the layout sheet. Layouts How to Create a Reference Datum 1. Choose Create from the DETAIL menu; then choose Datum, Axis, Coord System, or Datum Point from the DETAIL ITEM menu. 2. To create a datum plane or axis, start drawing a line (indicating the axis/datum plane) by clicking the left mouse button in the desired location. Extend the axis or datum plane to its proper orientation and location; then pick the endpoint by clicking the left mouse button again. 3. To create a datum point or coordinate system, click the left mouse button at the desired location. 4. Enter the global name for the datum. Note: If you have a Pro/DETAIL license, you can use the GET POINT menu commands to select the start point and endpoint (see Selecting Draft Entities for Sketching in the chapter 2-D Drafting in the Drawing Users Guide for more information).

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A Reference Datum and Axis


AXIS_1

DATUM_1

Both the red and yellow sides of the datum plane are visible.

Global Relations and Dimensions


Dimensions and relations that you create in a layout are global, and you can access them in any other mode through the use of local relations. Pro/ENGINEER creates layout dimensions with both symbolic and numeric values. You can create model parameters in Layout mode using the same procedure you use in Part or Assembly mode. How to Create Parameters in Layout Mode 1. Select LAYOUT > Advanced > Set Up > Parameters. 2. Create parameters as described in the section Parameters on page 4 - 11 in Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER. How to Create a Global Dimension 1. Create and place a dimension. 2. Enter a symbolic name for the global dimension. 3. Enter a numeric value for the dimension. The system then displays the dimension with its symbolic name.

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Use the Switch Dim command to switch between the symbolic and numeric values of the dimension. You can modify global dimensions by choosing Modify from the DETAIL menu and then entering a new value for the specified dimension; you can also modify them by entering the global dimension as a dependent parameter of a global relation in another mode. When a relation determines the value of a dimension, you can only modify the value by changing the value to which the relation evaluates.

Setting Global Relations


Using the Relation option, you can create relationships between global dimensions in the layout; however, you should keep the following restrictions in mind: You can define only global relations in Layout mode. If a relation was created in another mode, you cannot access it in Layout mode. The system does not reevaluate relations unless you choose Show Rel or Regenerate. Layouts

You can create user-defined variables by writing relations that define them; all objects associated with the active layout can then access them. For example, if you have defined the relation XYZ = 27.4 * 1.7 in a layout, you can access the variable XYZ and its value in any other mode through local relations.

Using a Parameter Table


You can use parameters in the dimensions and relations of a layout to assign values for different configurations of a model. You can set up a parameter table to save several sets of parameter values. The parameter table, like a family table, allows you to store multiple instances of values and simplifies the process of storing and accessing families of values. Note: Before you can create a parameter table, you should have created parameters. How to Create a Parameter Table 1. Select LAYOUT > Advanced > Set Up > Parameters > Param Tbl > Add Param. The PARAMETER menu appears. 2. Choose the parameter names to add to the table, then select Done. 3. Select Edit to add sets of values to the table. The Family Table Editor appears.
Layouts 9-7

4. Type in a new instance name, and the values that the parameters in the table should have when that instance is active in the layout. You can create as many instances as you want. Note: The instance names cannot contain spaces. 5. Select File > Exit to return to the layout and save your changes. How to Change the Parameter Set 1. Select LAYOUT > Advanced > Set Up > Parameters > Param Tbl > Apply Set. The INSTANCES menu appears. 2. Select the instance. 3. Select LAYOUT > Regenerate. The layout will display the new values of the parameters.

Information about Global Parameters


The Where Used command in the RELATIONS menu provides information about global dimensions, datums, axes, and user-defined parameters that belong to a layout. This information contains the type of parameter, and the names of objects and layouts using it. The global parameter you inquire about should be available to the current object; that is, the system should be using it either in the current model or in a layout referenced by this model. Note: Pro/ENGINEER does not list layouts that have had their local version of the global entity deleted. How to Obtain Information About a Global Parameter 1. Choose Relations from the LAYOUT, PART, or ASSEMBLY menu. In the latter case, choose Part Rel and select the part containing this parameter. 2. Choose Where Used. 3. Select the name of the parameter where it appears, or choose Names and enter the name. Note: You should not select dimension symbols in parts or assemblies, especially if you have given a dimension symbol the same name as a real global parameter. The system locates the global parameter and lists every place that it uses it.

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4. The system lists in an Information Window all direct references that use the global entity and writes them to a file named parametername.txt in the current working directory. The list shows the global type and name first, and then lists all objects where that global appears.

Annotating the Layout


Once you create a layout, you can annotate it by creating regular notes or balloon notes. How to Add Notes to a Layout 1. Choose DETAIL > Create > Note. 2. Choose commands from the NOTE TYPES menu (for more information, see the chapter Drawing Notes in the Drawing Users Guide). 3. Select the location for the note. 4. Type each line of text and press <Enter> after each line. If you use <Enter> on an empty line, it quits the notemaking process. The text appears beginning at the point you selected. 5. When you have finished creating notes, choose Done/Return from the NOTE TYPES menu. Layouts

Including Parameter Values in Notes


Notes are useful if you want to display the actual numeric value of a global dimension or user-defined variable in a layout. To include a parameter value in a note, create a relation or a parameter giving a value to parametername. Then, create a note and enter [&parametername]. The system substitutes &parametername with the numeric value, which changes parametrically according to the modifications of the associated part.

Adding Balloon Notes


You can use the Balloon command to add indexed notes with balloons to a layout. The system numbers balloon notes sequentially in their order of creation, with the index number contained within the balloon. Balloon notes can be free, or have single or multiple leaders, if necessary.

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How to Add Balloon Notes 1. Choose DETAIL > Create > Balloon. 2. The NOTE TYPES menu appears with most of the commands dimmed. You can only choose Leader or No Leader; then Make Note. If you choose No Leader, go to Step 4. 3. If you choose Leader, the ATTACH TYPE menu appears. Choose the type of attachment and the arrow style. Pick start point(s) for the leader (if the leader is attached, the start point has to be on an edge or entity). Make as many picks as you need for one balloon. 4. Click on the location of the balloon. Enter balloon text at the prompt. The balloon with an index number appears at the chosen location, and the balloon text under this number appears in the lower-left corner of the screen. 5. Continue creating balloon notes, starting from Step 2. When you have finished, choose Done/Return from the NOTE TYPES menu.

Associating Layouts
You can associate layouts with other layouts or models to exchange information through global parameters and their values. This can provide automatic assembly of models, or pass parameter values for calculations done in layout spreadsheets. You establish associations by declaring layouts to other layouts, and models (parts and assemblies) to layouts.

Declaring Layouts
When you declare a layout to another layout, you establish a hierarchical relationship between them. The current layout becomes a child of the layout to which it is declared, and the datums, axes, relations, and dimensions of the parent layout may govern those of the current layout.

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Layout Hierarchy
LAY1 Datum_1 Axis_1 Length LAY2 Axis_1 Length Height Before Declarations LAY1 Datum_1 Axis_1 Length LAY2 is declared to LAY1. Local versions are deleted. After Declarations .... Height LAY2 PART Datum_1 Axis_1 d1=Length d2=Height PART is declared to LAY2. PART Datum_1 Axis_1 d1

Layouts

However, the system does not create global references automatically. When you declare the layout, the system prompts you, Duplication of global symbol symbolname. Delete local version? [No]. If you decide you want a global reference, answer Yes to the prompt. The symbol then actually deletes the symbol name from the current layout and replaces it with a cross-reference pointing to the layout where the symbol resides. If you enter [No], the local parameter remains independent from the global one. If you keep a local version, you can use the same symbol name in many layouts. For example, the symbol Length can represent the length of a beam, a shaft, and a pipe. If all of these Length parameters are completely independent (that is, modifying Length for one does not affect Length for another), the parameter name can be the same for each model.

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Keeping the Local Version


LAY1 Datum_1 Axis_1 Length .. Length Height LAY2 is declared to LAY1. Local version of Length is kept. LAY2 PART Datum_1 Axis_1 d1=Length d2=Height PART is declared to LAY2.

The creation of a global reference, however, is very useful for controlling parameter values at a single location. You can modify a single parameter in a parent layout, and the system then passes this modified value down through the layout hierarchy to the associated models. You can create as many levels of hierarchy as you like. You can also declare a layout to multiple unrelated parents. However, keep in mind the following restrictions: You can modify a global reference only at the highest level that it occurs. Once you have declared a layout to another, to make a new parameter, do the following: To create a local parameter, place the parameter in the lowest level first. To create a global parameter, place the parameter in the highest level first. If you create a local parameter, to change it to a global parameter, redeclare the layout and delete the local version of the 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; then it writes it to a file named refitem.txt in the current working directory. Three messages may appear 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 in the model is no longer present to match its counterpart in the layout.

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WARNING: 3D item reference is invalidignored. A name that has been declared to a layout is used to name an undeclarable entity. WARNING: 3D item has been renamed to [name in model]. An axis or datum in the model has a name that is different from its counterpart in the layout.

If a declared name in the model is inconsistent with its counterpart in the layout, you may use the Undecl Name command to rectify the problem. When you add a declaration to a model declared to a layout, the system marks the layout as modified, and stores it when it stores the part. How to Associate a Layout with Another Layout 1. Choose Declare from the LAYOUT menu. The system displays a list of layouts that are active in the current session. 2. 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. If you do, Pro/ENGINEER issues a warning: Declaration is circular. Similarly, you cannot declare two layouts to each other and make other circular declarations. How to Associate a Model with a Layout 1. Retrieve a Part or Assembly model. 2. Choose Declare from the PART menu or ASSEM SETUP menu. The DECLARE menu appears. 3. Choose Declare Lay from the DECLARE menu. A namelist menu 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 values in the layout to which it is declared, and is able to use explicit or table declarations in the assembly process. You may declare a model to multiple layouts. If a model is declared to a layout that references one or more other layouts, the model references those also. Therefore, you can explicitly declare and use global parameters from a parent layout even if they do not exist in the layout to which the model is declared. Layouts

Layouts

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Passing Parameter Values from Layouts


Once you have declared a model to a layout, global dimensions and relations set in the layout can govern the dimensional values of the model. The system accesses both global dimensions and relations by using relations created in Part or Assembly mode, connecting model dimensions with global ones.

LAY1 Datum_1 Axis_1 Length

LAY2

PART Datum_1

.. Length Height LAY2 is declared to LAY1. Local version of Length is kept.

Axis_1 d1=Length d2=Height PART is declared to LAY2.

In the example presented above, if there is the relation: Length = Height * 2 in LAY2, then setting the part relations d1 = Length d2 = Height causes dimension d2 to acquire the value of global dimension Height, and the global relation governs d1. Pro/ENGINEER processes relations in the order in which they appear in the relations file. Setting a later relation for the same parameter overrides the previous one. For example, setting d2 = 30 cancels the existing relation for d2, d2 = Height.

Declaring Layouts in Skeletons


There are some special things about the relationship of skeletons to layouts. If a skeleton model is introduced to an assembly that already has layouts declared to it, you must confirm that you want the system to declare the layout to the skeleton model as well. When declaring a layout to an assembly and it is not yet declared to its skeleton, you must confirm that you want the system to declare it to the skeleton.

9 - 14

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

When undeclaring a layout in an assembly that is declared to its skeleton, you must confirm that you want the system to undeclare it in the skeleton also. You can use the Declare command in the SKEL SETUP menu to allow the skeleton model to have a layout declared to it. You can declare layouts that were already declared to the assembly, but were not confirmed for the skeleton, as well as declare layouts to the skeleton exclusively.

Undeclaring Layouts
You can undeclare a layout only when global references do not exist. To remove them, you can do one of the following: Delete relations containing global variables Redeclare or undeclare explicitly declared references Clear all tabular references Layouts

How to Dissociate Two Layouts 1. Choose UnDeclare from the LAYOUT menu. The system displays a list of layouts to which the current layout is declared. 2. Select the name of the layout that you want to undeclare.

How to Dissociate a Model from a Layout 1. Choose Declare from the PART menu or ASSEM SETUP menu. The DECLARE menu appears. 2. Choose UnDeclr Lay from the DECLARE menu. The system displays a list of layouts to which the model is declared. 3. Select the name of the layout that you want to undeclare.

Declaring Datums
The global datums appearing in layouts refer to actual part or assembly datums. This makes automatic assembly possible because the system aligns all datums on all parts that reference the same global datums. You can use DeclareName to associate a model axis, datum plane, coordinate system, datum point, or planar surface with a datum. Before you can create any datum declarations, you must declare the model to the appropriate layouts. Then, when declaring the datum, you use the name of an established datum within the associated layout. If the name does not exist, the entity is not declared.
Layouts 9 - 15

You can declare model datums explicitly or by creating a table: When you declare a datum explicitly, you simply select the part or assembly datum and enter the name of its global reference. The datum then appears with the global name. Explicit declarations are simple to use and easy to visualize; however, they have two limitations: You cannot have two datums on the same model with the same explicit declaration (two datums with the same name). You cannot have one datum with two different declarations (one datum with two names).

If you need to do either of these things (for example, to assemble a bolt automatically into many holes in a plate), you must use table declarations. When you create a table, model datums retain their names and the system connects them with the global names by the text of the table. Table declarations require more organization, but they accommodate more sophisticated assembly schemes. Consider the following example: You want to put a plate, with many holes in it, onto a base, put the pins into each hole on the plate, and locate the plate on the base using two of the holes. Explicitly declare the base and plate in the normal manner for automatic assembly. Then, create a table of declarations to place the pins automatically. Note that two holes have multiple declarations (one explicit and one table-driven) and that all holes share a common declaration (table-driven). You can have multiple tables for a model corresponding to the references used in different assemblies. You cannot have multiple explicit declarations, since these reference the datum name. Note: During automatic assembly, Pro/ENGINEER considers explicit declarations before table declarations. If you declare a datum plane, you may need to flip it so that one of its sides (red or yellow) corresponds to the specified orientation in the layout. If the datum plane is explicitly declared, choose Flip from the ARROW FLIP menu to flip the datum (or all the members of a pattern of datum planes); choose Okay if the datum plane is in the proper orientation. In a tabular declaration, use a negative sign in front of the local datum reference to flip the orientation.

9 - 16

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

When declaring datum planes, keep in mind the following: You can only declare axes and datum planes in Part mode. If you have used a reference axis or datum plane in declarations, you cannot delete it from a layout unless you delete the corresponding part entities and undeclare the layout.

Declaring Datums Explicitly


When each model datum has a unique reference, you can make declarations explicitly; however, you must declare the model to the layout before creating an explicit declaration. You can select a planar surface to declare and the system automatically creates the appropriate BlendSection datum plane. Pin Model with Explicit Declarations
declared and renamed datum axis

Layouts

declared and renamed datum plane

How to Declare an Axis, Planar Surface, or Datum Plane Explicitly 1. Choose Declare from the PART or ASSEM SETUP menu. 2. Choose DeclareName from the DECLARE menu. 3. Pick 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 name of the global datum. The system renames the entity itself appropriately.

Layouts

9 - 17

6. The system stores declarations with the model. To change the declaration of a datum, choose DeclareName and select a previously declared datum. The REDECLARE menu appears. Choose Replace to redeclare the entity or Quit to retain the existing declaration. If you try to declare a datum that you have already declared to another datum, the REDECLARE menu displays the commands Replace and Quit. If you choose Replace, the system replaces the existing declaration with the new one; if you choose Quit, the existing declaration remains.

Declaring Datums by Table


By organizing your declarations in a table, you can do the following: Declare different datums with the same global name (for example, for putting bolts automatically into many single holes) by creating a table that contains the common declarations (for each hole). or Declare individual datums with two different names (for example, to assemble parts into a subassembly using a datum with one reference name, and then 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 and must contain all of the declarations used to assemble that instance automatically. The following is the format for each line in the table: local dtm ref #1 = global dtm ref # 1, local dtm ref #2 = global dtm ref # 2, ... A negative sign in front of a local datum reference indicates that you are going to assemble the plane in its flipped state. Both global and model datum references can appear in multiple lines of the table. Also, note that all references must have unique global names; you cannot have a datum axis and a datum plane declared with the same name. To make declarations with a table, choose Table from the DECLARE menu. The TAB_DECLARE menu displays the following options: Add Xref, Modify Xref, and Show Xref.

9 - 18

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Undeclaring Datums
You do not have to delete a datum to undeclare it. Use the UnDecl Name command in the DECLARE menu to undeclare it. Select the datum; its original name replaces the name of the datum to which it was declared.

Using Global Dimensions and Relations


In all other modes, you can access global dimensions and relations that you have added to a layout; however, you can only create global dimensions in Layout mode. In this way, dimension and relation values specified in a layout can directly affect the dimension values of components in an assembly. You must create local relations for the model in order to access both global dimensions and relations. All other dimensions are local, meaning that they only apply to the object in which they were created.

Layouts

Automatic Assembly
If you declare the same datum in two different models, it creates a placement correspondence between them. When Pro/ENGINEER is adding a component to an assembly, it gathers all correspondences between the new component and the rest of the assembly; as a result, it can determine the placement constraints of the new component. When this occurs, the AUTO/MAN menu displays the commands Automatic and Manual. If you choose Automatic, the system places the component instantly; if you choose Manual, the PLACE menu appears, and you must specify the placement constraints yourself. If you assemble members of an assembly automatically through a layout, and then replace their parent with a new parent, Pro/ENGINEER places them automatically if the new parent has all of the appropriate declared datums. To disable automatic assembly in Layout mode, set the configuration file option auto_assembly_with_layouts to no. To enable it, set this option to yes (the default).

Layouts

9 - 19

Considering Explicit and Table Declarations


When Pro/ENGINEER is automatically placing a new component into the assembly, it matches up the explicit references of the component with the explicit and table-defined references of the previously assembled parts; it ignores the table-defined references of the component. However, once the part is a member of the assembly, new components under assembly refer to the table for placement correspondences for that part. How to Assemble Components Automatically 1. Create a layout with global reference datums and dimensions with relations as necessary. 2. Add datums to the component parts to define the placement constraints. Declare these datums to existing layout and global datums as necessary. 3. Create an assembly and begin assembling components. 4. If enough correspondences are present to constrain the component, the AUTO/MAN menu appears. Choose Automatic. The system then automatically constrains and assembles the components. The following figure presents a layout for an assembly with two members, pin and base. For this example, you create the global axis A, as well as the global datum DATUM_1. The parts pin and base each include axes, all declared to A, and planar surfaces, all declared to DATUM_1. To assemble pin to base, you can do it by pattern automatically. The system automatically aligns the axes with the same correspondence (A) and the planar surfaces with the same correspondence (DATUM_1). It then assembles all of the pins to the base in the appropriate locations. Layout of the Assembly

9 - 20

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

The next figure shows the solid models pin and base. The pin has been declared explicitly using DeclareName (see Declaring Datums Explicitly on page 9 - 17). Parts with Axes and Datums Declared

Layouts

The base has been declared using a table as shown below (see Declaring Datums by Table on page 9 - 18). Table Declarations for Base
A_1 = A, DTM1 = DATUM_1 A_2 = A, DTM1 = DATUM_1

To create the assembly shown in the next figure, Pro/ENGINEER automatically assembles the parts, aligning the datums and axes according to the correspondences established between the parts and the layout. It automatically assembles the parts using the correspondences as constraints. Parts Automatically Assembled

Layouts

9 - 21

Spreadsheets
You can also use layouts as spreadsheets to calculate results as parameter values change, and maintain design intent for an object by regulating its parameter values. The following figure shows the servo layout with the parameters that are essential to the functioning of the servo appearing in graphical form. Example of a Layout Spreadsheet

The next figure shows that you can enter different values for the core diameter of the servo, and the system calculates the resulting value of the torque produced based upon the value of the magnetic properties of the material. The layout includes a message that indicates whether the ratio of the core height to the core diameter is within an acceptable margin. In this case, if the ratio of the core height to the core diameter is less than 2, the message that appears on the layout sheet reads ***WARNING*** Ratio is too large. Switch the symbolic and numeric values of the parameters by using the Switch Dim option.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Layout Spreadsheet Used to Calculate Values

Layouts

The following figure shows the relations that govern the spreadsheet. Relations Governing the Spreadsheet
RELATION PARAMETER VALUE -------------------/*** Relations for section: /***** CALCULATE SERVO PARAMETERS ***** Solve TORQUE = 2.06e-1 * K * CORE_HEIGHT * CORE_DIA ^ 2 For CORE_DIA CORE_DIA 1.798957e+01 /***** CHECK FOR VALID CONFIGURATION ***** RATIO = CORE_HEIGHT / CORE_DIA RATIO 3.335266e+00 IF RATIO > 2 MESSAGE = RATIO IS WITHIN ACCEPTED LIMITS MESSAGE ELSE MESSAGE = *** WARNING *** RATIO IS TOO LARGE ENDIF

Layouts

9 - 23

Case Studies
In some cases, you may want to make your layouts parametric. For example, you may need to determine the size of an assembly envelope as the sizes of the assembly members change. To accomplish this, you can create a case study. A case study is a two-dimensional parametric sketch much like one created in Sketcher mode. Unlike a regular section, however, a case study can contain global relations associated with a layout in addition to relations associated with the sketch. To use a case study, the current object must be a layout. Choose Case Study from the LAYOUT menu to create or retrieve a case study.

Creating Geometry
When you create a case study, the system displays a subwindow over the layout containing the sketcher grid. You can create or retrieve two-dimensional geometry using typical sketcher facilities. In addition, you can copy into the case study window any geometry that is undimensioned in the layout. How to Copy Undimensioned Geometry into the Case Study Window 1. Choose Sec Tools from the SKETCHER menu. 2. Choose Copy Layout. 3. The GET SELECT menu appears. Select the desired geometry in the layout (you can only select geometry). 4. Choose Done Sel when you have finished; the system immediately copies the selected geometry into the case study subwindow. Once you have sketched the desired entities, dimension the geometry and regenerate it.

Dimensioning the Case Study


Unlike regular Sketcher mode, you can create reference dimensions in case studies. You can use reference dimensions to control additional parameters of the model through relations, so that you are not limited to using only those dimensions that are necessary to solve the sketch.

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Assembly Modeling Users Guide

When you choose Dimension from the SKETCHER menu, the DIMENSION menu displays these options: NormalCreates a regular dimension to solve the sketch. ReferenceCreates a reference dimension. Reference dimensions have symbolic names (RD#). When the system solves the sketch, they revert to the numeric form, but you cannot pick them for modification. Note: If a case study sketch has reference dimensions, you cannot retrieve it outside the layout environment.

Using Relations
You can add case study relations involving section dimensions or global dimensions by using the Relation command in the SKETCHER menu. To modify a relation, use either Show Rel in the RELATIONS menu or Regenerate in the SKETCHER menu to update it. The system uses case study relations to pass information from other layouts to the case study. You add them the same way you would add geometry relations, but they have additional functionality. When you choose Add from the RELATIONS menu, units appear in two formats: Dimensions are labeled as d1, d2, d3,... Entity lengths, coordinate systems, and points are labeled as e1, e2, e3,... Layouts

You can write relations to perform 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 to perform 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))

Layouts

9 - 25

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

Declaring Dimensions
The case study sketch has no associativity to the global layout until you have declared the dimensions. You can specify case study dimensions to be the same as the global layout dimensions. If you modify one, the other is automatically updated. To access global dimensions of other layouts, use case study relations. How to Use Global Dimensions 1. Define a relation using the global dimension as a parameter. 2. Regenerate the object so that the relationship takes effect. How to Make a Declaration 1. Choose Sec Tools from the SKETCHER menu; then choose Sec Environ from the SEC TOOLS menu. The SEC ENVIRON menu appears. 2. Choose Declaration. 3. Pick a dimension in the case study sketch. 4. Enter the name of an existing global dimension in the layout. Note: To change the constraints established by the declarations, you must remove the declarations.

9 - 26

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Index

Numerics
2 Points, MTNPREF 2-26

A
Absolute, SET SIZE 6-14 Add Constrnt, COMP PLAC 2-6 Add Member, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Add Model, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Add Ref, ZONE REFS 6-19 Add, INT PART 4-17 Add, PACKAGE 2-23 Add, RELATIONS 9-25 Adjust, MTNPREF 2-25 Adv Utils, COMPONENT 3-17 Align Offset, PLACE 2-9 Align, PLACE 2-8 All, RE INTR 4-5 All, REMOVE OPER 4-17 All, SELECT MDL 7-14 AlternateRef, CONSTR REDEF 3-16 Assem Rel, MODEL REL 7-7 Assembly automatic 9-19 bulk items 3-14 clearance 7-5 creating 2-6 creating parts 3-2 error recovery 4-24 exploded view 7-9 feature 4-10 copying 4-18 creating 4-12 modifying 4-16 remnants 4-4 feature intersections

adding components 4-17 entering names for components 4-15 removing components 4-17 showing components 4-17 updating 4-5 information, obtaining using MAIN menu 7-4 using Model Tree Window 7-4 levels, stepping through 4-3 modifying 4-1 dimensions 4-7 parts 4-10 placement constraints 2-14 regeneration 4-21 relations 7-7 retrieving 4-4 large assemblies 6-3 subassembly, placing 3-2 zones 6-18 Assembly, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 AssemblyRef, CONSTR REDEF 3-16 Assign Props, INTERCHANGE 5-13 Assign, TAGS 5-7 Automatic, AUTO/MAN 9-20 Automatic, PRT TO REGEN 4-22

B
Balloon, DETAIL ITEM 9-10 Bill of materials 7-6 Blank, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13 Bounding box 6-13 Bulk Item, COMPTYPE 3-14 Bulk items 3-14 By Display, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13 By Envelope, SELECT MDL 6-22

Index - i

By Rep, SELECT MDL 6-13 By Rule, SELECT MDL 6-13

C
Case study 9-24 Case Study, LAYOUT 9-24 Clearances measuring 7-5 Comp Center, SPECIFY CTR 6-14 Comp Display, COSM VIEW 7-13 Comp Info, INFO 7-5 Comp Ref, CONSTR REDEF 3-16 Component assembling 2-2 pattern 2-17 using model tree 2-4 base, placing 2-3 basic operations 2-2 coordinate system 2-10 copy 3-20 create common intersection 3-9 part 3-2 sheet metal 3-2 cutting out 3-28 delete 3-32 delete pattern 3-32 display status redening 7-15 redening using Model Tree window 7-16 failure 4-25 group 3-32 interchangeable 5-1 merging 3-28 naming 4-2 offsetting 3-16 using datum plane 3-16 package move conguration le options 2-28 packaging 2-22 nalizing 2-28 placing 2-23 repositioning 2-24 restrictions 2-23 pattern using Model Tree Window 2-22 placement constraints 2-14 redening 3-15 redening using Model Tree Window 3-15 recovery 4-24 regenerating 4-21 reorder 3-32

repeat 2-16 replacing 3-17 reroute 3-32 restructuring 4-19 resume 3-32 retrieval missing 4-24 placing components 4-25 regenerating datums 4-26 rotating 3-16 suppress 3-32 translating 3-16 Component creation Copy from existing 3-6 Empty 3-8 Locate default datums 3-7 Component, ASSEMBLY 1-3 Component, SUBMODEL 4-7 Coord Sys, PLACE 2-10 Copy Datums, OPTIONS 3-28 Copy Geometry 3-21 Copy Layout, TOOLS 9-24 Copy, ADV COMP UTL 3-20 Copy, COMP DISPLAY 7-13 Copy, MERGE OPT 3-11 Copy, OPTIONS 3-31 Copy, SIMPLFD REP 6-4 Create Datum, SEL/CREATE 6-19 Create, ENVELOPE 6-21 Create, SIMPLFD REP 6-4 Create, TAGS 5-7 Create, ZONE 6-19 C-sys, MTNPREF 2-26 Custom, PRT TO REGEN 4-22 Cut Out, ADV COMP UTL 3-25

D
Datum declaring in Layout mode 9-15 Datum plane as base component 2-3 declaring, explicitly 9-16 global 9-5 offsetting assembly component 3-16 Declaration, SETUP 9-26 Declare Lay, DECLARE 9-13 Declare, ASSEM SETUP 9-15 Declare, LAYOUT 9-13 DeclareName, DECLARE 9-17 Default rule Exclude 6-18 Include 6-18 Default, PLACE 2-13 Dene, ASSIGN PROPS 5-14 Dene, MOD ENVELOPE 6-23

Index - ii

Assembly Modeling Users Guide

Del Constrnt, COMP PLAC 2-6 Del Pattern, COMPONENT 3-33 Delete, COMP DISPLAY 7-13 Delete, COMPONENT 3-32 Delete, DETAIL 9-4 Delete, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Delete, SIMPLFD REP 6-4 Delete, TAGS 5-7 Delete, ZONE 6-21 Design Mgr, SUBMODEL 4-7 Dimension global 9-6 reference 7-4 Display Mode, EDIT DISPLAY 7-14 Display Mode, EDIT REP 6-7 Dont Update, SELECT 4-22 Drag Center 2-26

From/To, SELECT MDL 7-14 Functional interchange creating 5-4 Functional, INTCHG TYPE 5-5

G
Geometry Rep, DEFAULT RULE 6-5 Geometry Rep, EDIT REP 6-6 Geometry Rep, SELECT REP 6-24 Geometry, SEL ELEMENT 6-23 Global Clearance, Model Analysis 7-5 Global Interference, Model Analysis 7-5 Global Ref Viewer, Info 8-9 Global reference viewer 8-9 Graphics Rep, DEFAULT RULE 6-5 Graphics Rep, EDIT REP 6-6 Graphics Rep, SELECT REP 6-24 Greater Than, SET SIZE 6-15 Group, ADV COMP UTL 3-33

E
Edge On Surf, PLACE 2-12 Empty components 3-8 Enter Name, MODEL REPL 4-15 Entity/Edge, MTNPREF 2-26 Envelope part creating 6-21 description 6-21 in simplied representation displaying 6-24 including 6-22 modifying 6-22 in simplied representations removing 6-24 Envelope, DESIGN MGR 6-21 Exclude Comp, DEFAULT RULE 6-5 Exclude, EDIT REP 6-7 ExplodeState, ASSEMBLY 7-9 Expression, RULE SEL 6-16

H
Hidden line, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13

I
In Zone, RULE SEL 6-14 Include Comp, DEFAULT RULE 6-5 Info, EDIT DISPLAY 7-14 Info, EDIT REP 6-7 Info, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Info, MOD ENVELOPE 6-23 Info, MODEL REPL 4-15 Info, RE INTR 4-5 Insert Mode, COMPONENT 3-33 Insert, PLACE 2-10 Integrate, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Integrate, INTERCHANGE 5-6 Interchange assembly consolidated 5-14 functional 5-3 simplify 5-9 Interchange groups reference tags 5-7 Interface, SUBMODEL 4-8 Intersect, SOLID 3-9 Intrch Group, REPLACE WITH 3-19

F
Family Tab, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Family Tab, SUBMODEL 4-8 Family Table, REPLACE WITH 3-19 Feature assembly features 4-10 creating in Assembly mode 4-10 merge 3-25 modifying 4-6 Feature, ASSEMBLY 1-3 Feature, MODIFY PART 4-10 Feature, SUBMODEL 4-7 Finalize, PACKAGE 2-28 Flip, DIRECTION 6-19 Freeze, CHILD 3-32

L
Layer, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Layer, INTERCHANGE 5-6 Layer, MODIFY PART 4-10 Layer, SUBMODEL 4-8 Layout 9-1 annotation 9-9

Index - iii

balloon note 9-9 free note 9-9 associating to another layout 9-13 with model 9-13 associativity 9-10 automatic assembly 9-19 case study (see Case study) 9-24 creating 9-4 datum declaring 9-15 datum plane 9-5 declared by table 9-18 declared explicitly 9-16 ipping 9-16 declaring model 9-13 to another layout 9-12 global dimension 9-6 relation 9-6 using 9-19 hierarchy 9-10 multi-sheet 9-4 passing parameter values 9-14 reference axis 9-5 reference datums 9-5 references 9-20 sketching geometry 9-4 spreadsheets 9-22 storing 9-3 undeclaring 9-15 Layout mode 9-4 Layout, REPLACE WITH 3-19 Less Than, SET SIZE 6-16 List, SIMPLFD REP 6-4

Model Name, RULE SEL 6-15 Model parameters creating 9-6 Model Tree Window using 7-2 Modify, ASSEMBLY 1-3 Modify, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Modify, SUBMODEL 4-7 Move Comp, RESTRUCTURE 4-20 Move, MODIFY ASSY 3-16 Move, PACKAGE 2-23

N
Name, SEL ELEMENT 6-23 Navigating an assembly 4-3 New Names, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 Next Level, MODEL REPL 4-15 Next, SHOW COMP 4-17 No Datums, OPTIONS 3-28 No Hidden, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13 Normal, DIMENSION 9-25

O
Offset Csys, SPECIFY CTR 6-14 On Surface, SPECIFY CTR 6-14 Open, GET MODEL 2-23 Orient, PLACE 2-10

P
Package, COMPONENT 2-23 Pairs Clearance, Model Analysis 7-5 Param Tbl, MODEL PARAMS 9-7 Parameter global information 9-8 passing values 9-14 Parameter table 9-7 Parameters, LAY SETUP 9-6 Part copying 3-20 merging/cutting out 3-25 cut out, illustration 3-28 including datums 3-31 merge, illustration 3-31 process 3-28 restrictions 3-26 mirroring in Assembly mode 3-10 repeating 2-16 undeclaring layouts 9-15 Part Rel, MODEL REL 7-7 Part, SEL ELEMENT 6-23 Part, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 Pattern assembly component 2-17 Assembly Modeling Users Guide

M
Manual Sel, REMOVE OPER 4-17 Manual, REPLACE WITH 4-25 Marked, DISPLAY MODE 6-7 Mass properties 7-6 Master representation 6-3 Mate, PLACE 2-8 Measure, INFO 7-5 Mechanism, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Memb Ref Info, REF TAGS 5-7 Members, SEL ELEMENT 6-23 Merge feature 3-25 Merge, ADV COMP UTL 3-25 Mirror, PART OPTION 3-10 Mod Dim, ASSEM MOD 4-7 Mod Part, ASSEM MOD 4-10 Mod Subasm, ASSEM MOD 4-7

Index - iv

by copy 3-20 by reference 2-17 dimension driven 2-20 group pattern 2-19 redene 2-19 restrictions 2-19 Pick Mdl, SELECT MDL 7-14 Plane Normal, MTNPREF 2-26 Pnt On Srf, PLACE 2-11 Point/Vertex, SPECIFY CTR 6-14 Preferences, MTNPREF 2-26 Prev Level, MODEL REPL 4-15 Previous, SHOW COMP 4-17 Pro/ASSEMBLY 2-2 Program, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Program, SUBMODEL 4-8 Publish Geometry 3-24

Q
Quick Fix, RESOLVE FEAT 4-25 Quit Retr, QUICK FIX 4-25

Remnants causes 4-4 Remove Model, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Remove, INT PART 4-17 Rename, DBMS 4-2 Reorder, COMPONENT 3-33 Repeat, ADV COMP UTL 2-16 Replace, ADV COMP UTL 3-17 Replace, COMPONENT 4-2 Reroute, COMPONENT 3-33 Reset All, MODEL REPL 4-15 Restructure, ASSEMBLY 4-19 Resume, COMPONENT 3-33 Resume, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Retr Refs, COMP PLAC 2-6 Retrieve Refs, COMP PLACE 6-26 Retrieve Rep, ENTERASSY 6-26 Rotate Incr, MOTION PREFS 2-26 Rotate, MTNPREF 2-25 Rotating components 3-16

S
Same Names, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 Same Ref, NEW REFER 3-16 Sel Last, GET MODEL 2-23 Sel On Model, GET MODEL 2-23 Sel Part, RE INTR 4-5 Sel Plane, MTNPREF 2-26 Select Level, MODEL REPL 4-15 Select Level, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 Select, PRT TO REGEN 4-22 Select, SEL/CREATE DAT 6-19 SelectTarget, RESTRUCTURE 4-20 Set Current, COMP DISPLAY 7-13 Set Current, SIMPLFD REP 6-4 Set Up, ASSEMBLY 1-4 Set Up, INTERCHANGE 5-6 Set Up, LAYOUT 9-6 Set Up, SUBMODEL 4-8 Shading, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13 Show All, DISPLAY MODE 6-7 Show All, SHOW COMP 4-17 Show Level, MODEL REPL 4-15 Show Model, SUBMODEL 4-8 Show Placemnt, COMP PLAC 2-6 Show Refs, MOD ENVELOPE 6-23 Show Rel, RELATIONS 9-7 Show, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Show, ZONE 6-19 Simplfd Rep, ASSEMBLY 6-4 Simplfd Rep, REPLACE WITH 6-6 Simplifd Rep, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Simplied representations 6-1 applying rules 6-13 assembling components 2-29 creating 6-5 Index - v

R
Red, DTM ORIENT 2-7 Redene, COMP DISPLAY 7-16 Redene, COMPONENT 3-15 Redene, ENVELOPE 6-22 Redene, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Redene, SIMPLFD REP 6-4 Redene, ZONE 6-19 Ref Control, Utilities 8-3 Ref Pattern, ASSEMBLE 2-17 Reference control 8-2 default settings 8-8 environment 8-3 object specic 8-3 Reference dimension assembly 7-4 Reference, DIMENSION 9-25 Reference, OPTIONS 3-29 ReferenceTag, INTERCHANGE 5-7 Regenerate, ASSEMBLY 4-21 Regenerate, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Regenerate, MODIFY PART 4-10 Regeneration 3-30 assembly 4-21 regeneration manager 4-22 ReIntersect, ASSY FEAT 4-4 Relation global 9-6 Relation, SKETCHER 9-25 Relations, ASSEMBLY 7-7 Relations, SUBMODEL 4-8 Relative, SET SIZE 6-14

default rule graphics representations 6-5 excluding 6-7 geometry representations 6-3 graphics representations 6-3 master representation 6-1 retrieving 6-3 modifying status using Model Tree Window 6-25 redening components 6-26 substituting 6-9 Simplify, INTCHG TYPE 5-10 Size, RULE SEL 6-15 Skeleton models 3-11 and assembly features 3-13 assembling 2-30 BOM behavior 7-6 creating 3-11 declaring layouts to 9-14 in Pro/REPORT 3-13 Mass properties behavior 7-6 modifying 4-8 references to 3-13 restricting scope to 8-6 retrieving independently 3-13 selecting for a simplied representation 6-16 Smooth, TRANS INCR 2-26 Start component 3-6 Substitute, EDIT REP 6-6 Suppress, COMPONENT 3-32 Suppress, INTERCHANGE 5-5 Suppress, QUICK FIX 4-25 Switch Dim, LAYOUT 9-7

Undo, RESTRUCTURE 4-20 Unplaced components 2-15 Upd Int Prts, SELECT 4-22 Update Intrs, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Update, ASSIGN PROPS 5-14 UpdateScreen, EDIT DISPLAY 7-14 UpdateScreen, EDIT REP 6-7

V
View Plane, MTNPREF 2-26 View, model exploded view of an assembly creating 7-9 Vis Level, INTRSCT OPER 4-13 Visibility, ENVELOPE 6-24 Visualization modes redening 7-15 Volume Interference, Model Analysis 7-5

W
Where Used, RELATIONS 9-8 Wireframe, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13

Y
Yellow, DTM ORIENT 2-7

Z
Zone, DESIGN MGR 6-19 Zones dening 6-19 deleting 6-21 viewing 6-19

T
Tags, REF TAGS 5-7 Tangent, PLACE 2-11 Top Level, VIS SETTINGS 4-14 Trans Incr, MOTION PREFS 2-26 Translate, MTNPREF 2-25 Translating components 3-16 Type, CONSTR REDEF 2-6

U
UDF Library, ADV COMP UTL 3-33 UnAssign, TAGS 5-8 UnDecl Name, DECLARE 9-19 UnDeclare, LAYOUT 9-15 UnDeclr Lay, DECLARE 9-15 Undo Last, EDIT DISPLAY 7-14 Undo Last, EDIT REP 6-7 Undo, ASSIGN PROPS 5-14 Undo, EDIT DISPLAY 7-13 Undo, EDIT REP 6-24 Index - vi Assembly Modeling Users Guide

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