Design Assistant to copy assembly and LOD part substitute

[JBerns]

I have helped a client to use Design Assistant to create copies of a complete design (the parts, the assembly, and associated drawings).

Recently, a Level of Detail Part Substitute was created of the top-level assembly.

We have discovered that Design Assistant cannot copy the Part Substitute. Tested with Inventor 2013 - 2015.

I have confirmed that Vault Copy Design can accomplish the copy of the Part Substitute, but the client is not ready to implement Vault yet.

Is there a work-around to use Design Assistant to copy the models and drawings including the Part Substitute? Hopefully there is a better way than renaming files and using the "Resolve Link" method. 

Our workflow simplified:

1. Create Part_1 and Part_2.
2. Create Asmb_1 and place Part_1 and Part_2.
3. Create LOD > New Substitute > Derive Assembly > Filename/Folder/Template > , Maintain each solid as a solid body.
4. Save Asmb_1_Substitute_1.ipt and Asmb_1.
5. Close all files.
6. Launch Design Assistant and open Asmb_1.
7. Copy is not allowed on the Part Substitute (Asmb_1_Substitute_1.ipt).

Any assistance would be appreciated to resolve this Design Assistant copy issue.

Best regards,

Jerry

[JBerns]

Autodesk Team,

Is the inability of Design Assistant to copy an LOD part substitute an oversight or an intended limitation?

Kind regards,

Jerry