Re-establishing links when using copy/paste 1

[thixoguy]

Hi All.

Lets say I copy and paste a body from one catpart to another and do not use "keep link", is there a way to some how re-link the two files after the fact? If not, could someone provide some tips or some sort of work around?

Thanks, thixoguy

 

[jackk]

I would do another copy&paste of the body, and use "keep link" this time. Then right-click on the unlinked solid and REPLACE it with the linked one. Then delete the unlinked solid.

As a check; I'd look at the unlinked solid's children before the REPLACE, and verify the children get re-pointed to the linked solid after.

Are you using Publish?

 

[DBezaire]

Thixoguy - did you do a paste as result or as specified? Doesn't really matter, re-copy/paste with link would be quickest as Jackk has stated.

Regards
Derek

 

[thixoguy]

jackk and DBezaire,

Thanks for the tip it worked well. I had extracted some surfaces from the original "unlinked" body so I had to relink the surfaces in the replace viewer window. Since I had only extracted a few surfaces it was fairly easy to relink.
But lets say I had advanced a little further into my work and had extracted several surfaces,edges and even created points based on the original unlinked body, I think I would find it a little overwhelming, if not imppossible, to relink all these elements. How does one handle a situation like this? Do you have to go and relink each element one by one??? In UG there is some sort of feature that automates the process, and it works quite well especially if the parts are very similar. Anything similar in catia?

Thanks for all the help, thixoguy

 

[DBezaire]

The replace window is 1, if you are in assembly design contextual menu from part or product - Components - Define Contextual links. This will help you reconnect links. Again publications will help you with this.
With regards to created points based on... If you are using points to put holes in part, create those points on a plane, then create the holes in the solid.

Regards,
Derek

 

[thixoguy]

Thanks for the input DBezaire, I will investigate further what you have suggested.

thixiguy

 

[catiajim]

Here's a Tip that I use when using a surface from another souce, linked or otherwise:

Make a 0" offset of the surface, then use that offset as the parent for all of your other geometry. That way, if you ever havet to replace the original surface, it only has one child, and you only have to fix the elements of that one child.

 

[thixoguy]

Catiajim,

Thanks for providing the tip, but I don't quite follow what you mean. Could you provde a little more info or further explain?

thixoguy

 

[catiajim]

Sure. If I'm going to use a loft surface for my part, I will copy/paste as result with link into my part. Then I will create an offset of that surface using 0.00in as my offset. I then can extract curves, perform offsets, intersects, splits, projects, etc to the Offset, not to the original surface. When I need to replace the original surface with a new surface, it only has one child. Thus, I only get the "replace viewer" once.

This technique also works well with contextual design.

 

[jackk]

Jim. I was taught to use the "zero offset" technique with external references of not only surfaces, but lines and curves and points as well. But I never understood the benefit of having redundant geometry, so I quit doing it. Your 'tip' makes alot of sense, so I'll start offsetting again. Thanks for the post! (you deserve the star)

 

[thixoguy]

Catiajim,

Thank you for the clarification. I look forward to utilizing your excellent tip!

thixoguy