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Create copy of linked document into workspace
shawn_crocker
Member, OS Professional Posts: 804 PRO
Scenario:
A new product has been created and is basically an assembly put together with standard linked documents straight out of the company library. Customer requests a change and the change means one of the standard linked parts need to be custom tailored to there needs.
How this must currently be done:
Right click on part and select open linked document. Navigate to the main workspace. Right click on the tab and select copy to clipboard. Go back to product and paste tab. Select to replace component and choose the part from the newly copied tab. Proceed with editing the part to the customers request. If the part was configured and the assembly it is be swapped into has configuration controls that were driving the original part. Then one of two workflows need to be completed. You have to select all the controls all over again in the assembly configuration controls or if the part no longer needs to be configurable, you need to wipe out the parts configuration controls to be sure it is being properly represented in the assembly.
How it could work faster:
Right click on part that needs to be copied and select "copy linked document to current workspace" after completing this a new tab or tabs would appear in the current document and the assembly would automagically have it's components replaced with the copied ones and all mates and driven configuration controls would be maintained. Possible provide a dialog allowing the user three options. Option one, retain all driven configuration parameters. Option two, remove driven configurations so that assembly not longer has control of the part. Option three, remove driven configurations and remove copied parts configurations leaving part in a completely unconfigured state.
This would greatly improve over usability of configured link documents. It would be similar to SolidWorks ability to "make independent" right click option. At the moment it seems way too cumbersome to customize previously used standard parts.
A new product has been created and is basically an assembly put together with standard linked documents straight out of the company library. Customer requests a change and the change means one of the standard linked parts need to be custom tailored to there needs.
How this must currently be done:
Right click on part and select open linked document. Navigate to the main workspace. Right click on the tab and select copy to clipboard. Go back to product and paste tab. Select to replace component and choose the part from the newly copied tab. Proceed with editing the part to the customers request. If the part was configured and the assembly it is be swapped into has configuration controls that were driving the original part. Then one of two workflows need to be completed. You have to select all the controls all over again in the assembly configuration controls or if the part no longer needs to be configurable, you need to wipe out the parts configuration controls to be sure it is being properly represented in the assembly.
How it could work faster:
Right click on part that needs to be copied and select "copy linked document to current workspace" after completing this a new tab or tabs would appear in the current document and the assembly would automagically have it's components replaced with the copied ones and all mates and driven configuration controls would be maintained. Possible provide a dialog allowing the user three options. Option one, retain all driven configuration parameters. Option two, remove driven configurations so that assembly not longer has control of the part. Option three, remove driven configurations and remove copied parts configurations leaving part in a completely unconfigured state.
This would greatly improve over usability of configured link documents. It would be similar to SolidWorks ability to "make independent" right click option. At the moment it seems way too cumbersome to customize previously used standard parts.
1
Comments
This is a relatively unique request and since there are no files in Onshape, the version path can keep similar but different parts in the same place and still keep the benefits of linked documents. A simple in content edit would fix this. I am happy to talk about other options if you like that might ease this workflow.
Mmm. Yes, indeed. I do love them.
PS. I'm not seeing the vote button on this one. Is this an improvement request?
PS2. In the end, the copied tab would get moved out of the document to reside in its own document so onshape performance is not a factor here its the factor of waiting for documents and dialogs to open when it could just happen all under the hood.