AnsweredAssumed Answered

Renaming assembly - equations problem

Question asked by Brad Scollick on Jun 12, 2009
Latest reply on Jul 9, 2009 by Brad Scollick

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 8

I have an assembly named "F0" that uses global variables. The global variables define the assembly's overall dimensions (depth x width x height).

Several of the inserted parts of the assembly have equations that are driven by the global variables e.g. "length"="width@F0.SLDASM"-64

I have found that if I copy the assembly and give it a different name, say F2, the assembly will not longer rebuild if I change the global variables. Looking at the parts equations I notice that they still reference to "F0" and not "F2" as I thought they would be. Now I have twenty or so equations that reference to the old assembly name. Shouldn't they update when I rename the file?

Is my method incorrect?

Brad

No one else has this question

Outcomes

8 Replies

John Burrill Jun 17, 2009 2:39 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
It depends on how you went about renaming the assembly.
Try using pack-n-go to make your new assembly or use the Solidworks rename function on the rmb menu when you select a file in Windows explorer
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Brad Scollick Jun 19, 2009 3:45 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Doesn't matter. Either way the equations still refer to the old file name.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Sujan Patel Jun 19, 2009 8:57 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Where are your equations? At the part level or Assembly?
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Tim Koritz Jun 19, 2009 10:37 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Brad, I have seen what you are talking about, however, I renamed multiple assemblies and subassemblies and ended up with many more than 20-some bad files because the equations went bad. It was a long time ago and because of it I do not use equations like that any more. Even though I started a SPR with my VAR and SWx said they resolved the matter, it appears that the problem still persists. What version are you running? I think I was running 2007 at the time and I believe SWx did not resolve the issue until 2009...
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Brad Scollick Jun 22, 2009 12:59 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Hi Tim,

I am using the 2009 version. It seems likes they haven't fixed this issue as of yet.

I have some twenty or so part-level equations in each assembly. If I rename the assembly, I have to go through each equation and link them to the correct global variable file name. Not hard to do, just a bit annoying.

B.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Tim Koritz @ Brad Scollick on Jun 22, 2009 9:35 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  
  Brad Scollick wrote:
  
  Not hard to do, just a bit annoying.
  
  B.
  
  I agree.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
- Mauricio Martinez-Saez @ Brad Scollick on Jul 9, 2009 7:33 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Brad,
  
  What you descrive is a problem in SW... it do not happen to all the ecuations, but the fact is that not all the ecuations "replace" the variable name with the new name of the assembly.
  
  One solution is to use a macro that will traverse all ecuations, find the "old" name and "replace" it with the new one (that is what we do, since some of our assemblies have over 2,000 ecuations enbedded on the sub-assemblies and parts, since all our assemblies are top-down and 100% parametric.
  
  We hope some day, SW will fix the code of the application and correct this "limitation" (a nicer name for a dirty code).
  
  In the mean time, you will need to edit the errors by hand or with a macro.
  
  Another solution (sometimes the best) is to use Design tables and place all ecuations inside the tables using a data table with the names of the variables (the portin before the @) and them locate the values with functions. But this can be complicated if you are not a super user of Excell and Visual Basic Modules.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Brad Scollick Jul 9, 2009 2:05 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Thanks. I am new to Solidworks and am having a bit of trouble with the limitations of designing assemblies driven entirely by variables or equations. The macro is a good solution to the renaming issue. Something else to learn.

Cheers.

B.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

Renaming assembly - equations problem

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content