I've recently discovered the very frustrating thing called
"Suppress new features & mates" checkbox in the configurations
properties window. Now, I know this wasn't here before, and I also
know that such a function did not cause me problems before.
I noticed that if I create a new configuation manually it doesn't necessarily check the box. But if I add lines in a design table and let the design table create the configurations, the box is checked. Now imagine with a Cylinder Assembly that has
a cascading configuration tree that has 3 body types, > strokes from 5 to 100 of 2 rod styles m/f, > extend full, retract full, extend reserve, retract reserve. This adds up to approx 288 configurations. Unchecking that box for all new configs created by the table is getting old, very very old. Isn't there some system setting for that stupid function ? What could SW possibly justify for having such a function ? Let's see, I have a whole bunch of configs made up, then all the sudden I do a feature or mate and it doesn't take effect in configurations unless I say so...IN EACH. Pffffff. WTH is that ? Your feedback Please.
I noticed that if I create a new configuation manually it doesn't necessarily check the box. But if I add lines in a design table and let the design table create the configurations, the box is checked. Now imagine with a Cylinder Assembly that has
a cascading configuration tree that has 3 body types, > strokes from 5 to 100 of 2 rod styles m/f, > extend full, retract full, extend reserve, retract reserve. This adds up to approx 288 configurations. Unchecking that box for all new configs created by the table is getting old, very very old. Isn't there some system setting for that stupid function ? What could SW possibly justify for having such a function ? Let's see, I have a whole bunch of configs made up, then all the sudden I do a feature or mate and it doesn't take effect in configurations unless I say so...IN EACH. Pffffff. WTH is that ? Your feedback Please.
Jim,
Just to clarify:
The setting to suppress new features and mates has been around as long as configuration have.
Manually creating configuration and then managing them with this interface and the pop-up interface to select "this configuration", all configurations" or "specify configurations" has also been an interface that's been around quite a while. In any case, it can be very frustrating manually managing configuration.
On the other hand, Design Tables allow for creation and management of configuration by documenting all that is required. As you stated in your post, working in the design table, the box was checked. So, by employing a DT, the system is automatically adding all features & mates because it is assuming you will dictate otherwise in the DT when necessary.
Long story short; If you need to control 288+ configurations, you better be using a DT.