I want to select a group of external parts in the Feature Tree and copy/replicate them, as mated, within the assembly, instead of repeating the insert and mate procedure that I followed originally.
It seems a reasonable request, but I cannot find any menu bar, right click or help file facility for doing this.
Linear Pattern, Circular Pattern, Feature Driven Pattern, Sketch Driven Pattern, Copy with Mates are among the possibilities.
Cheers,
Anna
You could also use Smart Mates and Mate References to help you.
Cheers,
Anna
I know you are not in SW2010 yet, but the SW2010 Help is available online. May be easier for you to search.
http://help.solidworks.com/
Cheers,
Anna
Perhaps I have found a downside to dual monitors. With the Command Manager no longer front and centre, I overlooked it.
The best option seemed to be Copy with Mates, but it refused to accept Feature Tree selections.
Mirror offered to Recreate Mates with new components, and then rejected my mates. I tried it anyway about a standard plane, but when I Moved the group of parts to where I wanted them, they fell apart.
Linear Pattern placed the group exactly where I wanted them.
Smart mates seemed to require dragging, so as my parts were already assembled I employed the Mates property manager.
The 2010 web help looks interesting. I noticed a few more sentences in an area that I know well. I will look closer later.