Best way to copy parts?

[Brad82]

I am using SW2003. I have a thin rectangular part that I have created. I need to create an identical part with the only difference being that two c'sinks are on the opposite side. Can I simply open the part file, change the c'sinks, and then save it as a different name? Will this cause problems in my assembly when it references the part files?

 

[ShaggyPE]

If you want to create a mirror of the part, there is an easier way. But to answer your question, yes saving the file as a new name can screw up your assembly. If the assembly is currently open, saving this file will update the file in the assembly. Unless you select the save as copy. If the assembly is not open and you save as a new name, the assembly will still have the original part in it. Depending on which result you desire, you should save it one of the manners discussed.

Back to the mirror part. If you want the second part to be an identical mirror of the first, create a "mirror part". Search through the help files for that. It is pretty simple. A mirror part is nice because you can make a change to the original part and the mirror will update. They remain linked whereas a copy is its own part.

 

[Istre]

My preferred method for doing this is to mirror the part. You select the face of the original part you want to mirror it about, then open the insert pulldown menu and select "mirror part". It will create a mirror image of the part, putting the countersinks on the other side of the part. Then, you save the second part as you wish. The upside to this method is that the second part remains linked to the original part, so if you have a symmetric assembly, you only need change the original part, and the modifications are updated on the second part, but in a mirrored orientation.

 

[Brad82]

Thanks gentlemen. The mirror part feature took me about 5 seconds!

 

[macPT]

When you click "Save As" and check the box "Save as copy", SW will create an identical file without messing with the assemblies (the original file remains intact and the assembly references are not changed).

But the safer way to change filenames (for long or shared projects) is by using SW Explorer, with a previous "Find where used".

Regards

 

[Mitsu50]

or (if you wanted to minimize part files) you could just create a configuration within the part with the changed dimensions. That way you only have one physical file to deal with.