Mirror Assembly Question

[Jasonx10]

I'm looking for a good way to mirror a large assembly without doubling all my files.  This is a case where I'm probably ok to use a dumb-solid as the mirror version (instead of something with editable features). I was thinking I would do a save-as on my assembly and create an iges of it with a different name.

I guess I have a 2-part question here:

1. Is it possible to mirror something without creating a buttload of dumb-solid mirror-version components.

2. (if not) Is it possible to save a copy of my completed assembly as a single solid or group of surfaces and then mirror that single file.

(on a side note - I wish Dassault would make a way to mirror a part, split relations and copy/retain the features in the mirrored version!)

Thanks
Jay W.
Vista x64
SW Office 2008 x64 SP4.0

 

[kchan711]

Jay,

Solidworks doesn't allow a single mirror component of an assembly; it makes a whole conglomerate of mirrored components. You could possibly save the assembly as an IGES file and then mirror that; however, I'm not sure how well this works. I've never tried it. You may want to try other files types as well. You "could" also add another configuration and make your mirror of the assembly and then suppress the old assembly. This would be the more dynamic solution and store both configurations in the same assembly file.

On your side note, you can use configurations to get your mirrored part, while suppressing the other. Both versions would be stored in the same file while file size would be minimal compared to making two part files.

Hope this helps.

Kyle

Kyle Chandler

http://www.chiefengineering.net

"To the Pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the Optimist, the glass is half-full. To the Engineer, the glass is twice as large as it needs to be!"

 

[handleman]

The #2 option you gave is certainly possible - almost. You can't save an assembly as a single solid body, but you can save the entire assembly as a part. When you select "Part" from the assembly's Save As... menu, you'll have the options to save exterior surfaces, exterior components, or all components. If you choose all components, your resulting .sldprt file will be one multibody part. You should then be able to mirror that part.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[Jasonx10]

cool.  guess Ill go with variation of option 2 then; save as a part and check 'ext. surfaces' on my save options. 
thanks
Jay