Moving objects to a layer in an assembly?

[CNSZU]

Hello,

I have a simple task, that is to move all visible items to layer "3" at the parent assembly level (that contains both features at the parent level and components/subassemblies).

This is what I do:

-draw a rectangle around everything I see to select all objects, then "Edit object display", type in "3" for the layer.

To check that the operation was successful, I go to Layer Settings, toggle off layer "3", and everything disappears. So it seems that the operation was successful. To further confirm, I select any feature/solid at the same level as the parent assembly, go to "Edit object display", the layer box says "3", which is correct. However, if I select a component or subassembly, go to "Edit object display", the layer box says "0". So something here is wrong. To further check, if I export the parent assembly to a STEP file, choose to export only layer "3" in the settings, only the parent level solids are exported, non of the components/subassemblies.

How can I "force-move" all objects, including components/subassemblies to layer "3"?


NX8 i7-3770K@4.3Ghz 16GB Quadro2000

 

[DaSalo]

The issue is mostly in the step converter options, it seems to me. The CATIA V5 step converter can be set to only export visible components. It works very well for the type of process being described here. I do this all the time when sending assemblies back and forth with suppliers while ironing out the details of the design. I might have dozens of components in the assembly that represent alternate versions or things that I'm just trying on for size but don't want to include in the discussion just yet. I just hide that stuff and what I see on the screen is what I get in the step file. Now I'm not recommending that you switch to CATIA by any means but this is one nice piece of functionality that it does have.

CATIA V5 R20
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1

 

[CNSZU]

Thank you DaSalo, it's comforting to know that someone else is also doing the same thing as me So perhaps, if Siemens should change anything, it's to add this option in the step converter. It would really save lots of time.

NX8 i7-3770K@4.3Ghz 16GB Quadro2000

 

[Xwheelguy]

From your post prior to my last 2 responses, you stated you will hide what you don't want to export. Now you're contradicting that. How exactly are these components/sub-assemblies getting hidden? Are you hiding them? Are they hidden when you open the assembly? If you are hiding them, describe in detail the process you're using to hide them, if you don't mind.

It would have been very nice to have all the facts at the beginning rather than bits and pieces at a time...our responses tend to rely on accurate information that isn't going to change after several responses.

Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 7.5.4.4 MP2
WinXP Pro x64 SP2
Intel Xeon 2.53 GHz 6GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro 4000 2GB

 

[CNSZU]

Hi Tim,

I hide the objects as I go along. When for example creating a cut using a solid as a tool, I will hide the solid when finished with the cut. And some linked objects are used as reference, so I hide them too when I'm finished with them. This I do by right clicking and selecting "Hide". So along the way when creating an assembly of parts there will be lots of these solids that are hidden. These I don't want to export to step, but the problem is, they WILL get exported anyway, the way the translator works in NX. Realizing this quirk with the translator, I then came up with the idea of moving only the visible objects to layer "3", then only exporting that layer. That was what the opening post was about. But based on the replies, that is not a feasible solution, so I'm still stuck.

NX8 i7-3770K@4.3Ghz 16GB Quadro2000

 

[Xwheelguy]

Yes, it sounds like you are stuck now, but using the previous responses of organzing your solids prior to adding them to an assembly will benefit you for future projects. Do you happen to have any idea what the importance of retaining the assembly structure is after the assembly is exported?

Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 7.5.4.4 MP2
WinXP Pro x64 SP2
Intel Xeon 2.53 GHz 6GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro 4000 2GB

 

[cowski]

The bits & pieces that you do not want to export, are they owned by the top level assembly file or are they in various component files?

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[CNSZU]

Do you happen to have any idea what the importance of retaining the assembly structure is after the assembly is exported?

I'm sorry, what do you mean? Do you mean the assembly structure in the STEP file? It's quite important because it makes the job of the engineer who will work with my assembly much easier.

cowski, they are in various component files.

NX8 i7-3770K@4.3Ghz 16GB Quadro2000

 

[cowski]

Remove those bits from the component's reference set or create a new reference set that only contains the solid you want to export. This will allow the "entire part/all layers" export option to work correctly. Also it will clean up your assembly visually which will come in handy if/when you make drawings.

www.nxjournaling.com