Is there a way to change the properties of a part in an assembly so that it shows up as a reference only part and doesnt show up in higher level assemblies? I know that in Solid Edge you can use Occurence Properties and it gives you many options to change including the ones I need. Any one know of any such thing in Solidworks? Using 2009 version
If you RMB on the part in the Assy tree and go to its properties, down in the RH corner is a box to check for Exclude from bill of materials. You can also look up Envelope parts if you need more than that.
WT
What is RMB? And I get the BOM exclusion but need more options than that. I can get it to not show up in the BOM, but also need it to not show up in a higher level assembly. Would also be nice to be able to change the properties of a part with qty as well, but that is seperate than the reference question.
RMB = Right Mouse Button
I'm not sure what you mean by hidden in the higher assemblies...but if you mean hidden or suppressed...for hiding, play with display states...for suppressing play with configurations.
Cheers
By hidden, I mean for it not to be shown in a higher level. I have created sub assemblies that have parts that need to be shown at the sub assembly level but when that sub assembly is inserted into a main assembly, I dont want those reference parts shown that were shown in the sub assembly. Display states only allows me to change wireframes to shaded. I will try configurations.
Display states are to hide/show as configurations are to suppress/unsuppress...
If you're only wanting to change the visibility of the component, use display states, otherwise (if you need it to dissapear from the BOM, weights, etc...) use configurations.
Cheers
Daron,
RMB means Right Mouse Button.
If you do that on the part as Wayne instructed you you will see the properties like he mentioned.
Have you tried the BOM options, show parts only, or top level only? These might do the trick if I understand your question correctly.
Yes, I have gotten the parts to not show up in the BOM but they still show up in a higher level assembly when I dont want them to. I know that in Solid Edge, you can simply change all those features in Occurence Properties. Im not sure if anyone is familiar with SE but if so then they would understand what I am asking.
Create 2 display states - one with the background geometry shown and the other with it hidden.
**Be sure to save your sub-assembly with the active display state set to the one where the background geometry is hidden. This is key for working around a limitation.**
**You may also want to set the mass properties such that it ignores hidden components (checkbox option found in the mass properties window) depending on how the sub-assembly weight is being reported.**
When the sub-assembly is inserted into a where-used assembly the background geometry will remain hidden (assuming the sub-assembly is last-saved as described above). Saving with the "hidden" display state active is one way to work around the SW2009 limitation where a given sub-assembly display state cannot be specified in the context of where-used assemblies. This is not a limitation with SW2009 drawings...only assemblies.
There was an enhancement in SW2010 where the display state of a sub-assembly can be selected in the component properties within a where-used assembly similar to configuration selection.
Create 2 display states - one with the background geometry shown and the other with it hidden.
**Be sure to save your sub-assembly with the active display state set to the one where the background geometry is hidden. This is key for working around a limitation.**
**You may also want to set the mass properties such that it ignores hidden components (checkbox option found in the mass properties window) depending on how the sub-assembly weight is being reported.**
When the sub-assembly is inserted into a where-used assembly the background geometry will remain hidden (assuming the sub-assembly is last-saved as described above). Saving with the "hidden" display state active is one way to work around the SW2009 limitation where a given sub-assembly display state cannot be specified in the context of where-used assemblies. This is not a limitation with SW2009 drawings...only assemblies.
There was an enhancement in SW2010 where the display state of a sub-assembly can be selected in the component properties within a where-used assembly similar to configuration selection.