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Assemblies, configurations, design tables, and linked custom properties

Question asked by Sarah Dwight on Sep 14, 2015
Latest reply on Dec 3, 2015 by Ed Cyganik

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Okay I have an assembly with 4 parts. One part has many configurations that I would like to be able to switch between easily in my current work flow. I would like to be able to select the desired configuration from a list in the custom property tab. I was able to link the list to the part's design table excel file. Bam done.

But how can I link the custom property to the configuration of the part in the assembly?? Is this possible? I noticed that the display states are linked to the configurations, but I don't know how to call upon them or if that is even possible.

Thanks in advance!

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Alice Caspari Sep 16, 2015 8:21 AM
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Sarah,
Is there a reason that just selecting the configuration from the tree wouldn't work?
The custom property tab is more for writing custom properties to the file which could be extracted to use in title block / parametric notes etc.
From the sound of what you are trying to do I maybe try using the Configuration Publisher.
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- Sarah Dwight @ Alice Caspari on Sep 16, 2015 8:41 AM
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  Hi Alice-
  The custom property tab is capable of much more than just populating notes and the title block! Linking custom properties to dimensions enables the CPT to be used to drive a model. My current work flow uses the CPT to change everything (length, height, hole size, slot width and depth, etc.), but to change a profile I have to remember to select the proper configuration from the tree as you have shown above. It is not difficult to do or remember, but I was hoping I could include this step in the CPT so everything was done in one location, quick and efficient.
  
  I will look into the Configuration Publisher. I haven't used that yet. Thanks!
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  - Alice Caspari @ Sarah Dwight on Sep 16, 2015 9:38 AM
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    It just seems like a lot of work to drive a model with custom properties. A design table would easily control what you are trying to do with the dimensions and the drop down option in the design table would give you the list of part configurations you are looking for.
    
    Another option would be DriveWorks Express which is an included Add-In for SolidWorks, I have not used it but it's just a basic configuration software that should be able to drive what your looking for in a more user friendly interface than going into tables.
    
    FYI the Configuration Publisher allows selection of current set parameters to drive the user to the appropriate configuration when the part or sub assembly is inserted into another assembly but does not facilitate changes to the current configurations.
    I attached a basic part with a design table and published configurations if you want to check it out.
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    delete.SLDASM.zip87.8 KB
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    - Sarah Dwight @ Alice Caspari on Sep 16, 2015 1:13 PM
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      Hmm.. thanks, I will check out DriveWorksExpress too.
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      - David Mandl @ Sarah Dwight on Sep 16, 2015 4:34 PM
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        If you check out DriveWorksXpress, be sure to look at the tutorial on it in the SW Tutorials menu.
        
        The tutorial has an example where you change a beam's configuration inside of an assembly, which is ALMOST like what you've described above. However, in the tutorial, you are also driving other dimensions in the beam (and therefore saving a new copy of the beam each time you run a new version). That is, unfortunately, a fairly significant difference from what you're looking to do.
        
        In other words, DriveWorksXpress will create the new version of your assembly, but it will only change the configuration of the part when you create a brand new copy of that part. It's a limitation, one which does not exist in the paid versions of DriveWorks (so you could do simply change configurations of your part without creating a new copy in DriveWorks Solo or DriveWorks Pro), but the lack of features is just the nature of the beast when it comes to using the Xpress tools.
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Matt Gortner Dec 3, 2015 9:57 AM
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I used some excel programming to achieve something similar. I'm drawing up retail shelving and, for ease of use for other SW users, I want to use the custom property tab to change shelf depth, width, uprite height, etc. Editing the design table wouldn't be user friendly because of the large number of dropdown boxes they'd have to change.

For example, I define the shelf depth and width and then use a function to concatenate the name of the shelf config (which has already been created). I input 36 width and 15 depth into the property tab and excel gives me "shelf-36w-15d" in the design table. I also use functions to suppress or unsuppress parts based on a few variables.

I can provide additional details if needed.
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Ed Cyganik Dec 3, 2015 10:45 AM
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Sarah,

I'm not quite sure if I understand your question, so one simple question; "In the Property Tab Builder" have you enabled or specified that a property is 'configuration' specific?" This is true or required for parts & assemblies.

What I mean is you should have a custom file property file for "single" parts and another for "multiple configuration" part databases. This allows for "configuration specific" properties to exist and be displayed independently in the Custom Property Tab n the task pane.

Eddie
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Assemblies, configurations, design tables, and linked custom properties

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