Is there a way of preventing me from being able to change the configuration of a part within a sub-assembly by clicking on the part in the graphics area? I am so used to changing configured parts in assemblies in this way that I find I make the mistake of changing the configuration of parts in sub-assemblies instead of changing the configuration of the sub-assembly.
Hi Glenn
thanks for your reply. I agree that if I select from the tree it is more apparent that a part is in a subassembly. I just find it much easier to find the relevant part in the graphics area most of the time. Something on the fly-out menu to show the part is contained in a subassembly would be an improvement. Maybe showing the subassembly name above the part name like it is in the tree would be good. I just think it's too easy to select the part, drop down the configuration box and change the part thus messing up the sub assembly.
One habit to develop which may help is to select your part but right-click (or right-click select directly) and select "Select Sub Assembly" to grab the subassembly.
When the icons and config box display, they're for the assembly.
Another part/assy indication bonus is that this menu item isn't available if the selection is a part.
Perhaps this will help.
Cheers,
Kevin
As Kevin says....I was too long making pretty pics
Part of a Sub-assembly:
ToolBox part, not part of a Sub-assembly:
I think that's part of the same "enhancement" we got a few years ago that allowed editing sub-assemblies from the main assembly without going into "Edit Component" mode (I still have trouble believing someone thought that was a good idea). Deleting parts from sub-assemblies when you intended to delete the sub-assembly from the main assembly was the more common problem with it, but I think your issue is probably related. It got a partial fix with SW2015: 2015 What's New in SOLIDWORKS - Deleting Subassemblies and Components of Subassemblies .
The best advice I can give is to try to get in the habit of changing configurations by clicking on the component or sub-assembly in the tree instead of the graphics area. Hopefully someone else will have a better idea.