Copying Parts

[MachineSMMC]

I was wondering if there was a faster way to copy existing parts. I would like to be able to take a part from the design library and when I pull it into a new part it would pull in the part without actually opening up the original file. The way it is now I have to do a save as and then go and open up the part I just saved.

If there is an easier way to do this I would be very interested in hearing about it.

Thanks
Chris

 

[SBaugh]

I would like to be able to take a part from the design library and when I pull it into a new part it would pull in the part without actually opening up the original file.

So you want to insert a part into another part? That's the way I read this statement. If that's the case then the only way to insert a part into another one, is to Insert\Part

If you just want to copy a part

1) Use SW explorer to copy the part
2) then open up Windows Explorer
3) Find the parts you just copied (both)
4) Window both and Drag and drop both parts into SW
5) Both will open up

If the part you want to copy has no references what so ever then you could copy it using Windows Explorer (WE). But I don't use that method because if you get in a habit of using "WE" then when you do have a file that has external references and you use WE then your really going to be SOL. Because WE doesn't maintain references like SWExplorer does.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

MachineSMMC
Just curious ... why are you wanting to do this?

FYI ... you could insert the original part into an assy, & then RMB the part & select Edit part then do a Save as of the part, from within the assy, but without selecting the Save as copy option. This will replace the original part with the newly saved part.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

 

[MachineSMMC]

CorBlimey

I design rubber molds with solidworks. A lot of the time our guide pins are going to vary from mold to mold. I would like to create a guide pin and save it in the feature pallete. Then when I need to make one for a mold I can start a new file and drag the pin from the feature pallete and modify a couple of dimensions and save it in the mold design folder with the rest of the components. It saves me a step of having to do a save as.

Chris

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Have you considered using configurations of a part?

I don't believe they can be used from within the Feature Pallette though.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

 

[MachineSMMC]

Yes I have. That works in some cases. I just don't want to create a few hundred different configurations. I was hoping I would be able to do something like I noted.

Maybe I will have to rethink this.

Thanks
Chris

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I just don't want to create a few hundred different configurations.

Whatever works for you ... "Each to their own", but ... you would rather create a few hundred different parts????

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

 

[SBaugh]

I agree whole Heartily with CBL!

I would take a lot of the similar parts and add configs then if you get some crazy one that looks nothing like the other one then I would make a new one and add the configs to that... Configurations are the better way to go. But that's up to you.

Glad you asked the question CBL!

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[ctopher]

I was confused at first, but CBL and Scott cleared it up. I 100% agree with them. We do a similar design and we use configurations. DOn't know of an easier/better way to do it.

 

[MElam]

If I understand what you are specifically looking for, you should be able to save the guide pin as a part template. Then when you want a different one just start a new part using the template with all geometry already there. Change a few dims and hit "Save" and it will automaticaly ask for a new name and location.

If these are standard parts used a lot in large assemblies, I would suggest avoiding making too many configs. We did this with our fasteners and have seen a major difference in performance.

 

[MachineSMMC]

That will work, thanks

Chris