Part Studio or Assembly

stephen_mager

I'm a bit confused regarding best practices within Onshape to generate assmeblies using imported models and then adding parts to the assembly.  As an example:

I am attempting to create a system utilizing storage tanks, bulkheads, piping, etc..  The tank stands and tanks were drawn within separate Part Studios, bulkheads have been imported from IGES files from a manufacturer's website.

I'd like to be able to place tanks in the stands, add bulkheads to the tanks and then create piping connecting the bulkheads (as well as ball valves, pumps, checkvalves, other misc. assemblies).  It appears once you're in an "Assembly" you don't have the ability to create parts within the assembly (in my case, I'd like to generate pipes between bulkhead fittings that have been imported into the "Assembly".  It seems this functionality is only available within a Part Studio, yet I don't know how to import a vendor provided assembly into a Part Studio.

What am I missing here???


Thanks

brian_brady

Stephen,

Use the Derived tool to bring an existing part model into a Part Studio. The Derived tool is located near the far right end of the toolbar. This way if you change the part model in the original Part Studio to which it belongs, it will update in the Part Studio in which you added it via the Derived tool. You can use Transform tool after adding a Derived part to move it to your required position and orientation.

stephen_mager

it seems like all of the intuitive mating capabilities are not usable with this approach.  was able to add a part from one part studio into another part studio, but the mating becomes far more cumbersome with this approach. 

mahir

@stephen_mager, try transforming with mate connectors. It works much like mating. The biggest drawback is you have to explicitly create the mate connectors themselves beforehand.