Design in Context

[amnon]

Hey

I use Design in Context (Top Down). Few days ago I made some chcnges in Options,
and now I have a lot of problems . I created Counterbored hole on Part1, than
I created hole on Part2 with constraints-concentricity with Counterbored hole.
Now when I change positon of Part1 it does not affect position of hole on Part2.
What should I set up in Options?

Merry Christmas
Amnon

[MrCATIA]

Hey, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

I'm not sure the TOOLS + OPTIONS change is what caused your link problem. I'd suggest you check the link in the EXTERNAL REFERENCE branch of the PART2 tree, and I'm guessing that you'll probably have to replace the link to the PART1 hole.

If you want to check your TOOLS + OPTIONS, look at the GENERAL options page in INFRASTRUCTURE + PARTS INFRASTRUCTURE. I suggest activating the following two options:
o CONFIRM WHEN CREATING A LINK WITH SELECTED OBJECT, and
o ONLY USE PUBLISHED ELEMENTS FOR EXTERNAL SELECTION KEPING LINK

(but changing these options should not have caused your problem)

[amnon]

Thank's

I think it was:
-Keep link with selected object
Allow publication of faces, edges, vertices, and axes extremities

Is it possible to add External References (additional surface) to existing one in Part ? (to place one Part on the other)

Amnon

[MrCATIA]

Sure, you can add as many External References as you want

Just remember:

1. Since these are contextual links, you must always work in the same context (same assembly) when you want to add or replace links

2. Links are one direction only - child part to parent parent part. No loops are allowed - you can't make a link from the parent back to the child.

[MrCATIA]

I notice that Amnon's thread is very popular and has many viewers. I'm including this link to Amnon's original thread, which includes some more information about Contextural Design and External References.

External References

This is a very powerful feature of CATIA V5 when used properly, and good training is key to successful implementation.

[amnon]

Hey,

Could You tell me few steps, how can I add External References ?

Amnon

[MrCATIA]

(I thought you knew how to do this )

Okay, let's assume you have an assembly open with several parts including Part.1 and Part.2. Part.1 has a surface, and Part.2 has a solid (PartBody) and you want to split the solid with the surface. In other words, you want the surface from Part.1 to be linked as an External Reference in Part.2

Let's also assume you have your Tools+Options set as we mentioned above, and the surface is published in Part.1

Two ways you can copy the surface as an External Reference:

1. The automatic way. With Part.2 as the active part in the assembly, just add the split feature and select the surface in Part.1 This will automatically copy the surface with a contextual link back to Part.1 - the surface is now an External Reference in Part.2

2. The do-it-yourself way. Copy the surface in Part.1 and Paste Special With Link the surface into Part.2. This will make a CCP link, with the pasted surface being an External Reference. Now you can split the solid with the pasted surface.

That's it. If the surface changes in Part.1, the solid in Part.2 will also change.

[amnon]

(I thought you knew how to do this )

as you know I am beginner (patience is needed).
I do not know why, ........... but I do not use Publication, and designing in Context works
(I hope so).
Somehow I lost connection Part 1(slider) with Part 2(mandrel). I have been trying to link Part 1 and Part 2 again. As You mentioned below, I copied Surface in Part 2 and pasted it in Part 1 but It does not work. Option Paste with link is not active.
Could You recommend me any book about Design in Context.
Thanks a lot

Amnon

[MrCATIA]

Using Publications is not required, as long as your Tools + Options have the ONLY USE PUBLICATIONS option deactivated.

Thanks for including the picture - it helps understand what you're doing.

Now, could you verify something for me. Looking closely at the tree of the assembly of parts, there is a little icon in front of each part and the icon includes 2 little gears and a red axis. Most of the parts probably have blue and yellow gears. What color are the gears in front of the Part.1 (slider) part?

[amnon]

Using Publications is not required, as long as your Tools + Options have the ONLY USE PUBLICATIONS option deactivated

Clear,

By the way, could You explain me meaning of all icon colors ?
Thanks

Amnon