I copied a virtual part in a top-down design by using CTRL-C and CTRL-V.
Then moved the new part and changed it's sketch, but the first, the original part changed also. I don't want that. I want a new, free, part.
I copied a virtual part in a top-down design by using CTRL-C and CTRL-V.
Then moved the new part and changed it's sketch, but the first, the original part changed also. I don't want that. I want a new, free, part.
It is not an external part. It is a part saved in the assembly, a virtual part I made in the context of the assembly.
Karol,
I just did this on one of my assemblies. When i save a virtual part I get the following message:
"Part4^Eurofish Model LV9-1 U is being referenced by other open documents as virtual component. "Save As" will replace these references with the new name and convert them to normal components . Check "Save As Copy" in the "Save As" dialog if you wish to maintain existing references."
I then need to check the "save as copy" box and assign a new file name. I then inserted this "test" part into another assembly and changed it's dimensions without the original changing. The test part was missing the external reference in the new assembly, but when I edited it define that particular feature it did it without changing the original part in the original assembly.
The key words for your course of self study are Propagation, Association and Derivation.
I am sure the SW Manual which came with the DVD has a chapter on this.
Can you use configurations?
Open the VC
Create a Config
Close the VC
Change the copied VC to the new config
What is a VC?
The Ctrl-C ,Ctrl-V (or Ctrl-Drag) behavior for a VC is consistent with a normal (external) component.
One workaround is to use "save as copy" to make a copy to a new, free, component, then you can insert that as virtual.
Alternatively, create a new assembly, then ctrl-drag the VC to the new assembly, then ctrl-drag it back. You may have to save the new assy though, so either way you are getting a loose file you didn't want.
If you have to save a file, maybe save it to your temp folder. You should be able to enter %TEMP% to easily get to the temp folder.
HTH.
All the above will work, but they are work arounds for a function that already exists.
When you copy your virtual part in your assembly, right click the part in the feature tree (The copied part that you want independant) and select "Make Independent."
This will break ALL references to the other part. The parts will now act as two sperate parts (Because they are.)
Edit: You can do this with virtual assemblies also.
Edit 2: Forgot to mention that not ALL references are broken, just any to the original part. I.E. If the virtual part has any external references, they are carried over to the new part and not broken.
Karol,
After you bring the part in to your new assembly, you need to rename it. With the copied part file open, click "Save As" and give it a different name. A pop up screen will ask you if you want to save it as a "copy" because otherwise it will replace the original named part in all "open" assemblies. The safest way is to "save as a copy", but then you have to go to your saved file location and import the part from there.