I created a simple work instruction and output a handful of images to a PDF. The manager wanted to remove a lock washer from two of the screws, and these screws are SEMS screws. They have an integral washer that is captive. So I figured I could simply suppress the washer feature in the model of the screw and run an update in Composer. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. It's only two screws right? Didn't even add or remove a part....simply modified it slightly. What could go wrong?
I ran the UPDATE and all seemed to work well. Then I got into looking at my views. Every view had the screws hidden. So, I simply turned them back on. No problem. Now I notice that the transforms that I performed were gone and the screws were returned back to neutral position. Likewise, the paths were no longer showing.
Long story short, I had to redo every view where those two screws were showing. Frustrating and time consuming. I imagine there is some very intuitive (sarcasm) thing I didn't do or some button I forgot to mash while holding my mouth just so during the process. Can anyone enlighten me as to why such a simple thing turns into complete rework? I feel like I got duped with this software.
Hi Stephen,
When Solidworks Composer Imports a part it assigns a GUID (Globel Unique identifier) to the file. This can be found by going to File > Preferences > Advanced settings > Enable Debug Information > Click on the actor and scroll to the bottom of the Properties tab. You should now see a row named GUID.
If the GUID of the lock washer has changed, Solidworks Composer will strip the washer from your views as it is treating it as a new actor. If you want Composer to update correctly, you need to modify the Solid Bodies name to that of the original GUID name.
For example,
Fig:1
In Fig:1, the actor has a GUID name of 'PCluch Case', and in the Solidworks part file, the same component is named 'TestOne' under the Solid Bodies folder. By renaming the Solid Body name to 'Clutch Case', Composer will import the file and name the actor GUID as 'PClutch Case' (P = Part).
Give this a try and let me know if it resolves your issue.