how to fix (ground) assembly

eric_zhao867

For a part that is in an assembly, i can right click and fix its location. It seems I could not find similar function for an assembly. For example, I inserted assembly 1 into assembly 2. I would like to fix the position of assembly 1 in order to used it as a datum. What is the best way to do this? 

bradley_sauln

You can right-click on a part from assembly 1 and fix it. As long as that subassembly is properly constrained you are good to go

NeilCooke

You can only fix parts, so expand your subassembly and fix one of the parts in there. 

eric_zhao867

thank you all, that helps. 

andrew_kleinert

A question about this:

Instead of using "fix" for assemblies, are there any issues with mating the first part to the origin, and then building up the assembly using mates?  (Is this potentially a better workflow because the Assembly is then positioned at a known point in space rather than an arbitrary point in space as per the "fix" operation?)

TimRice

@andrew_kleinert
Yes best practice is to use mates to properly constrain parts rather than a fix. Mating to the origin is a good way of locking down parts.