Assembly Design

[Acee]

The problem I am having is every once in a while when working in an Assembly I will get a component that will not let me select any external references from any other part. For example I am trying to create a sketch in a component and it will not let me select any face or plane from another component in the assembly it will only let me select these features from the same component I am in. I find this happens every so often and I still cannot figure out why? Other components work just fine. Please Help

 

[DBezaire]

You have Keep links with selected object turned on in tools --> options --> infrastructure -->part infrastructure - general. You can link information in 1 direction - meaning you can link from A - B or B - A but never A - B and B - A.


Regards,
Derek

 

[Acee]

so when I turn that off everything I create is a broken link so I must turn it back on when I want to have a link again? I understand the reason why you shouldn't link a-b then b-a but do you continuously have to toggle this on and off?

 

[DBezaire]

Well, on that same options page turn on Restrict external... to publications. This will only allow you to link to published items. This is a best practice method. There should be enough posts on this if you do a search on publications.
You can create datum items in your Part B from Part a by turning on the Create datum button before you create the geometry. Copy/Paste as Result would work as well.

 

[jackk]

Could be a contextual isssue as well. The part you are working on might be "out of context" which will not allow you to select things in other parts.

 

[catiajim]

Jackk is correct. Look at the little gear on the Part Icon - is it green or white? Or is it brown? This will tell you whether or not the part is "in context" and can have new links added.