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What is the easiest and quickest way of creating individual parts from a Multibody part, that would also allow adding extra parts at a later date.

Question asked by Martin Brown on Nov 2, 2016
Latest reply on Nov 9, 2016 by Martin Brown

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Hi Folks,

I have previous used the "Insert into New part" manual way of making parts, which for the majority of the time has worked fine, but is just too slow.
Yesterday I tried using Save bodies, which is much quicker and appeared to be fine, but is still a hassle as it creates a "Save Bodies" Feature in the Feature Tree.

I keep dragging the "Save Bodies" feature down to the bottom of the tree when I add new parts then save the bodies again. Previously I have saved All the previous bodies I wanted plus the new bodies. However, I decided just to save the new bodies this time and it knackered up my assembly with all the parts disappearing and turning red.

What's the best way of working with Multibody parts and splitting them out? (Also, what is the different between a Part and Split Part)

I am working on Forestry equipment, grabs, grapples etc so Multibody is the way to go as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks,
Martin

Glenn Schroeder Nov 3, 2016 7:57 AM

Correct Answer

Martin Brown wrote:

I will need to make drawings for each unique part in the assembly though.

You certainly don't need to split them for drawings. See #15 at Frequently Asked Forum Questions.

See the reply in context

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Glenn Schroeder Nov 2, 2016 8:20 AM

I don't know of a better way to split bodies out into separate Parts than what you described, but someone else might. If you don't mind me asking, why do you need to split them out instead of leaving them as multi-body Parts?

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Martin Brown @ Glenn Schroeder on Nov 2, 2016 8:46 AM

I like to make assemblies up with the parts usually. Allows me to add in other components and make moving assemblies etc.
Also, I like to fillet and do some other other features at part level sometimes to keep the Multibody file size down.
Do you find it more beneficial to not split the parts out? How would I create exploded views from a Multibody part?

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Glenn Schroeder @ Martin Brown on Nov 2, 2016 9:05 AM

I rarely have a need to split bodies out into separate Parts (in fact I don't think I ever have), and you can create an exploded view in a multi-body Part.

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Martin Brown @ Glenn Schroeder on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM

Hi Glen,

Thanks for that, I've been working with 2014 up until recently, whether this has just been added or not it's something I've noticed before.

I will have a read up and see if I can manage to get away with not splitting out the bodies.
I will need to make drawings for each unique part in the assembly though.

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Glenn Schroeder @ Martin Brown on Nov 3, 2016 7:57 AM

Martin Brown wrote:

I will need to make drawings for each unique part in the assembly though.

You certainly don't need to split them for drawings. See #15 at Frequently Asked Forum Questions.

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Toft Bill @ Martin Brown on Nov 2, 2016 9:18 AM

When I have a multi-body part ("assembly") that I want to have "move", I first create a "part" configuration for each separate body. Then, in the default configuration (at the bottom of the feature tree) I use the Delete-Body feature for EACH body. Then I suppress them all in the Default config. Now in each "part" configuration I un-suppress the matching Delete-Body feature.

Next I create a new assembly, with the original part copied as many times as I had bodies.

Now I can do my assembly mates.

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Martin Brown @ Toft Bill on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM

Hi Bill.

Thanks for the reply.

This is something I haven't done before but on the surface I don't see how this is any easier than inserting each body into a new part then selecting all new parts and clicking on the origin of an assembly repeatedly to build the model then add mates.

How many bodies would you be working with in a typical Multi-body part?

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Toft Bill @ Martin Brown on Nov 3, 2016 8:50 AM

Usually a couple. For example, I download a hinge from McMaster-Carr that is one part and I make 3 configs (one for each piece) so I can have a working hinge in an assembly. So one part with 3 configs rather than 3 separate part files.

My preferred technique is top down modeling from the assembly itself. I create all my reference sketches (for sizing) first, then the outline profile sketches for each part. I also include reference points for holes, etc. that must match up with other parts in the assembly. Then I insert a new part and copy the profile sketch (convert entities) and extrude to get my first feature. Then I finish modelling the part. Later, if the overall size needs updating, I just edit the master sketches in the assembly.

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Martin Brown @ Toft Bill on Nov 9, 2016 8:08 AM

Ah I see OK, I've worked on models up to 300+ bodies and usually work with around 20 - 50 on a regular basis. (the 300+ was a nightmare as you can imagine). The time required to make all the configs would be too much.

Thanks for the information.

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Daen Hendrickson Nov 2, 2016 11:19 AM

Martin,

You can also have more than one SaveBodies feature. You could add the initial one - creating the individual parts from bodies that currently exist. Then when you add bodies later, you can save them out with an independent SaveBodies feature. This at least leaves the existing one(s) untouched and stable.

Daen

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Martin Brown @ Daen Hendrickson on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM

Hi Daen,

That's a good idea, especially if I am coming back to something I've not worked on for a while. adding in a few parts and leaving everything stable as is.

Will have a read up on Save Bodies.

Thanks.

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11 Replies

Glenn Schroeder Nov 2, 2016 8:20 AM
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Correct Answer
I don't know of a better way to split bodies out into separate Parts than what you described, but someone else might. If you don't mind me asking, why do you need to split them out instead of leaving them as multi-body Parts?
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- Martin Brown @ Glenn Schroeder on Nov 2, 2016 8:46 AM
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  Correct Answer
  I like to make assemblies up with the parts usually. Allows me to add in other components and make moving assemblies etc.
  Also, I like to fillet and do some other other features at part level sometimes to keep the Multibody file size down.
  Do you find it more beneficial to not split the parts out? How would I create exploded views from a Multibody part?
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Glenn Schroeder @ Martin Brown on Nov 2, 2016 9:05 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    I rarely have a need to split bodies out into separate Parts (in fact I don't think I ever have), and you can create an exploded view in a multi-body Part.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
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    - Martin Brown @ Glenn Schroeder on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Hi Glen,
      
      Thanks for that, I've been working with 2014 up until recently, whether this has just been added or not it's something I've noticed before.
      
      I will have a read up and see if I can manage to get away with not splitting out the bodies.
      I will need to make drawings for each unique part in the assembly though.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
      - Glenn Schroeder @ Martin Brown on Nov 3, 2016 7:57 AM
        Unmark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Martin Brown wrote:
        
        I will need to make drawings for each unique part in the assembly though.
        
        You certainly don't need to split them for drawings. See #15 at Frequently Asked Forum Questions.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Toft Bill @ Martin Brown on Nov 2, 2016 9:18 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    When I have a multi-body part ("assembly") that I want to have "move", I first create a "part" configuration for each separate body. Then, in the default configuration (at the bottom of the feature tree) I use the Delete-Body feature for EACH body. Then I suppress them all in the Default config. Now in each "part" configuration I un-suppress the matching Delete-Body feature.
    Next I create a new assembly, with the original part copied as many times as I had bodies.
    Now I can do my assembly mates.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
    Actions
    - Martin Brown @ Toft Bill on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Hi Bill.
      
      Thanks for the reply.
      
      This is something I haven't done before but on the surface I don't see how this is any easier than inserting each body into a new part then selecting all new parts and clicking on the origin of an assembly repeatedly to build the model then add mates.
      
      How many bodies would you be working with in a typical Multi-body part?
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
      - Toft Bill @ Martin Brown on Nov 3, 2016 8:50 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Usually a couple. For example, I download a hinge from McMaster-Carr that is one part and I make 3 configs (one for each piece) so I can have a working hinge in an assembly. So one part with 3 configs rather than 3 separate part files.
        My preferred technique is top down modeling from the assembly itself. I create all my reference sketches (for sizing) first, then the outline profile sketches for each part. I also include reference points for holes, etc. that must match up with other parts in the assembly. Then I insert a new part and copy the profile sketch (convert entities) and extrude to get my first feature. Then I finish modelling the part. Later, if the overall size needs updating, I just edit the master sketches in the assembly.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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        Martin Brown @ Toft Bill on Nov 9, 2016 8:08 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Ah I see OK, I've worked on models up to 300+ bodies and usually work with around 20 - 50 on a regular basis. (the 300+ was a nightmare as you can imagine). The time required to make all the configs would be too much.
        
        Thanks for the information.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
Daen Hendrickson Nov 2, 2016 11:19 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Martin,

You can also have more than one SaveBodies feature. You could add the initial one - creating the individual parts from bodies that currently exist. Then when you add bodies later, you can save them out with an independent SaveBodies feature. This at least leaves the existing one(s) untouched and stable.

Daen
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- Martin Brown @ Daen Hendrickson on Nov 3, 2016 7:09 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Hi Daen,
  
  That's a good idea, especially if I am coming back to something I've not worked on for a while. adding in a few parts and leaving everything stable as is.
  
  Will have a read up on Save Bodies.
  
  Thanks.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions

What is the easiest and quickest way of creating individual parts from a Multibody part, that would also allow adding extra parts at a later date.

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