Linking Variables

[jmiller112]

i want to link parts that are two different lengths but the longer parts will always change exactly as much as the short (they will always be the same amount longer). does anyone know how to write a variable for that?

 

[PatCouture]

By using peer variables you can copy the link of the first part into the second part as a reference and then use it with the additionnal lenght to drive the second part.

It would go like this.

Part A
length = x

Part B
length_ref = x (here you paste the link "length" of part A)
Real_length = length_ref + 3" (or you can create another variables "y" for example)

I hope that I'm expressing myself correctly.

If you don't know how to use peer variables feel free to ask and we will help you.

Pat

 

[donyoung]

and both variables (source/target) should be equally named.
Otherwise you will not be able to tell which the source variable
is because the link will not show it. It will show a 3 character
code instead.

dy

 

[Gemnoc]

Can a variable name can be used more than one time between parts in an assembly?

I just made last week a whole assembly complete with many sub-assys levels, driven entirely by three variables (length, width, height). I got unexpected results when said variables were changed. Like, throw a grenade into the assembly and that's basically the end result I got after updating all links... With a ton of failed relations, when the original assembly semmed perfectly fine to begin with.

I have to say that I didn't start with the linked variables, I added them afterwards once the assembly was done.

 

[Gemnoc]

"*seemed* perfectly fine", I wanted to type. Being able to edit posts afterwards is a feature this forum lacks...

 

[m4rc]

Gemnoc, I was going to ask something like this too. To us here, it's very important it can do it to save a lot of time... but I fear it doesn't.

M

 

[Gemnoc]

Additional info on my situation... The model's "explosion" happened Friday night, and nothing I did changed it back to normal. I tried to re-link a whole bunch of variables through the linked variables menu, but some obstinately refused to comply; even though the link seemed correct, the value was not updated. Some parts were updated, others were not, and were not mated to the assembly anymore. Disgusted, I closed the assembly and called it a week. Last night, I reopened the assembly... And now everything is fine!!! Go figure.

 

[PatCouture]

I had some problems too when doing some modifications to my assemblies. Sometimes with updates all relationship everything works well and some other time nothing happens, even if the parts are all activated. When this happens I close SE and reopen the assembly then everything is up to date as it should.

I don't know what's the nature of this problems but it's kind of frustrating having to close and reopen right in the middle of changes to see if everything is ok.

Patrick