working with imported assemblies

andre_brown101

I need to import complex assemblies from parasolid and then create new parts within them, often using geometry from multiple parts in the import as reference geometry.

If I import to a single document I can preserve the assembly structure, but the parts in the part studio all overlap in space rather than preserving their assembly positioning.  this makes it a nightmare to edit imported geometry within the part studio, and impossible to create new parts that reference import part/assembly geometry.... which is unworkable.

If I import to a single part studio, the positioning of parts is now correct, but I loose the assembly structure... which is unworkable.

am I doing something wrong with the import settings?

eric_pesty

If you want to use the assembly as a reference for creating new parts why not create your new part(s) using an assembly context?

eva_willms

Run 3 Preserving both the assembly structure and the correct positioning of parts can be crucial for efficient editing and creating new parts that reference the imported geometry.  

martin_kopplow

I am also struggeling with this. From my old CAD, I know that I could import assembly structures in pretty much all formats that support assemblies, and have them parts and instances all in the right relative position in model space and also in the tree hierarchy. It was a one-step process and I do really really miss that in Onshape. It is probably the primary reason I could not yet use OS for those jobs where I get an assembly to add/modify parts within. And that's the majority of my jobs. Usually I get cars. I mean whole cars. With all stuff inside.

My currently tried workaround is to import into a part studio, then create an assembly, insert all, fix all, recreate only the relevant subassemblies in the tree, and delete the rest, to make it usable. Then I add my new parts in context or derive parts I modify. It is but a lame workaround, though, and not ready for production work. I'd really like to see how the OS pros do it.