Renaming copied parts?

tony_459

When I copy a part in a transform, the new and old parts get the same name.

I'd like to avoid this because a) it makes it futile to discuss parts by name ("which Part 152"?) and b) it makes it difficult to select just the right part for assembly when the only difference from the others is its location (something you can't glean from the Assembly Insert menu).

I can rename parts manually, but often I have more than just a few duplicates, and it would be nice to just have copied parts automatically get new names when I make them. Is there a way to configure Onshape for this?

Thanks!

bradley_sauln

What is your use case for copying a part via transform? If you are doing this just for location placement, that should be handled in the assembly. The part studio is really for creating the part instances. If you are having trouble with getting the right placement in an assembly, that sounds like the real issue that we can help you resolve.

tony_459

I do it when I need similar parts with different dimensions or features---hydraulic cylinders of the same type but with different rod lengths, say. It's easier to copy and change 10% of the original than to repeat 100% of what I've already done

NeilCooke

tony_soares459 said:

I do it when I need similar parts with different dimensions or features---hydraulic cylinders of the same type but with different rod lengths, say. It's easier to copy and change 10% of the original than to repeat 100% of what I've already done

Even easier if you use configurations!

tony_459

I'll have to learn about configurations then

john_mcclary

tony_soares459 said:

it makes it difficult to select just the right part for assembly when the only difference from the others is its location (something you can't glean from the Assembly Insert menu). 

Can you explain this to me? It sounds like you are doing this the hard way.

The only time you should create a new part is if it has a different shape or thread. 

You should be inserting the same part and moving it in the assembly if the only difference is position.