Master Modeling Questions

[nmiltner]

In NX5, I am toying around with master modeling to create drawings. When using master modeling for drafting, is there a way to inherit the attributes from the master model into the drawing that it is assembled into?

Also in a previous life I seem to remember dragging the drawing template into the master model and the structure was automatically created. For example, I have model "test.prt" If I drag the A size template from the resource bar into the "test.prt" The srtucture of "test_drafting.prt" is automatically created with the test.prt assembled into it. Am I recalling this correctly? If so, how does one set this up?

Thanks

 

[JohnRBaker]

The Part Attributes assigned to the original piece part, the 'Master', automatically are assigned to the Component in the Assembly as Object Attributes. Of course any Object Attributes assigned to faces or bodies will still be retained, but the Component's Object Attributes are inherited from the master model (note that you can add additional Attributes or override existing ones by including attributes assigned to the relevant Reference Set). Of course once the component is placed in a Assembly, additional Attributes can be added to it which will be unique to that particular Assembly. Note that it is these attributes which are used by the Part List function in Drafting to create the on-drawing Bill of Material (AKA Parts List).

As for the use of Drawing Templates, prior to NX 5.0 they were added to user defined Resource Bar tabs and when doing so you designate how you what the part file to behave, in this case as a Drawing Template. However, starting in NX 5.0 we have moved that task to the File -> New... operation. We have already pre-loaded a series of Drawing templates which are set-up to enforce the Master Model concept. You can either use them as is, replace the Siemens-supplied files with copies of your own Drawing Templates or even add additional tabs to the File -> New... dialog if that is the preferred approach (this is what I've done so as to preserve both the existing files and structure in case someone wishes to see the Out-of-the-Box behavior during a demo/presentation, but I've added my own set of tabs for my own Part File and Drawing File templates (the how-to having been discussed here in a previous thread).

Note that while starting in NX 5.0 we are offering a built-in scheme to support the creation of Master Model Drawings (using File -> New...) you can still use the Resource Bar tab approach if you wish. In fact, you can now add Second Sheet templates to the Resource Bar to automate that task as well (note that starting in NX 6.0 we have integrated the Second Sheet template function, which can include your own custom template files, into the Insert -> Sheet... dialog so that you will no longer need to use a Resource Bar tab for that either).

Anyway, I hope this helps answer the questions which you have.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[nmiltner]

Thanks, John.
that is exactly what I was looking for. I noticed the way to incorporate the master modeling through file new, and I like that way. I think that some of my co workers would prefer the drag from the resource bar. That said, How do I start setting them up to drag from the resource bar?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Go ahead and create your Drawing Template file as a Master Model Drawing (the referenced part can be anything, even a simple block). Set up all the views as you want to them appear in the final product and if you wish you can also add Parts List notes and other stuff like drawing borders and standard text and such. Now save this file and close it.

Now open any part and if you already have a user-defined Resource Bar tab (and if you don't you can create one at Preferences -> Palettes...) just open it, place your cursor over some 'white space', press MB3, select New Entry -> Non-Master Drawing Template and when it asks you for a file, select the drawing template you just saved. Now once it has been created and added to the tab, place your cursor over it, press MB3 and select Edit. Now you can change the name that will appear in the Tab as well as control how you would like the object to appear (adding your own picture or 'cartoon' image).

Now you can also create a .pax (palette file, similar to an XML file) file and use it to gain even more control over the appearance and action of the files in the tab as well as making it easier to share setups with more than one user. I've attached an old drawing template .pax file I used prior to NX 5.0 which will at least help you see and figure out the format and the entries. If you examine it carefully, you should be able to figure out what and how it's formatted and what controls what.

Anyway, have fun.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[hudson888]

P.S. Because you have now solved it but probably have parts that exhibited the former condition, lacking attributes from a master part, (template etc). Try coping and pasting attributes from one part to another under File>Properties>Attributes. It requires that you fully change from one part to another, but it beats typing!

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[redwingfan01]

John,

you say this up above

"I've added my own set of tabs for my own Part File and Drawing File templates (the how-to having been discussed here in a previous thread)."

Can you point me to the How-To? I'm looking and i can't find how to create these tabs so that i can find my file

thank you

 

[uwam2ie]

expanding the question:
can I control/force from a setting the default referenceset and layer settings from NX5.06 using the file new drawing templates?
thx in ad

 

[hudson888]

You can create modelling templates if that's what you meant. They'd simply up a model with pre-defined layer categories and reference sets. Some are already defined out of the box and many users prefer to use or modify these to suit their site standards.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum