assy constraints question 1

[joepops]

I have an assyA consisting of other assys(B,C,...). In assyB, I included a part that consists of only points and lines which I wish to use for constraining in assyA. I also have a part in assyA with points and lines for constraining. When I attempt to use a line from the subpart in assyB in a constraint at the assyA level, I get the message "This geometry can not be selected because its exposition in PLM is not sufficient. Select another geometry or publish it before use it."
So I publish the items within the subpart of assyB, but that didn't help. It appears that I cannot use items from two levels down in assyA constraints. Is this the case and how should I correct it?
The parts have no planar surfaces, which is why I want to use the subpart with lines and points and I need to use multiple assyB parts.
Any help appreciated.

 

[catiajim]

Are you in VPM? Or LCA? If so, you can't use Constraints in this instance.

If not, you should be able to do this, but you will need to make your sub-assemblies flexible.

 

[joepops]

Ok, I use Catiav5r14 with Enovia LCA. If I can't use the constraints as stated, how can I tie my other instances down? There has got to be a way, I'm just not there yet.

 

[catiajim]

VPM and LCA maintain the positional matrices of the parts. We use the Snap and Cumulative Snap functions to position that parts, and then save the position off to the database. It doesn't lock the positions down, but it seems to work OK. We also use the Compass at times.

 

[KooKoo]

We sometimes use the constraints functionality then delete the constraints b4 saving to VPM. Most of the time we use catiajim's method.

 

[joepops]

OK, I learned something new. I found success with both reccomendations, thanks. I also found out how I am supposed to do it from our techdesk. We create pseudo product files in Enovia and then populate them in Catia. It give the appearances of a true Catproduct in treeform, but the database views everything as being on the same level. It was pretty nifty. Thanks to catiajim and kookoo for the replies.