topic Re: Using components in multiple assemblies in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Using components in multiple assemblies

roseR2YZL — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 20:41:16 GMT

Suppose I have an assembly (A1) in which are several components that I've created inside that assembly file. Now I have another assembly in the same project folder (A2), and into this new assembly I want to include a component from the original A1 assembly.
I know this can be done with a copy/paste new command, but I'm wondering if it's possible to keep the copy linked to the original component, so that if I change the original the same changes occur to the copy (i.e. the copy references/points to the original).

I'm coming from a Solidworks background, and in Solidworks this could be accomplished by creating a component in an assembly (as a virtual part), saving this part as its own file, then inserting this file into a new assembly. Now both assemblies are referencing the same part file, instead of two separate but identical part files.

What do people think?

Re: Using components in multiple assemblies

TrippyLighting — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 23:42:37 GMT

If the two assemblies are in a different design in the Fusion 360 Data Panel then you can export that component or subassembly from the originating design onto the data panel with "Save copy as".

That design can be inserted into another design and initially it is a linked component/assembly. If you modify the linked assembly in the data panel, the assembly will update in the other assembly.

The problem is that currently you cannot export an existing component/assembly as a linked component so a link is maintained between the exported design in the data panel nd the originating design.

In that design you'll have to delete the component/assembly and re-insert it, and re-assemble it.

There are several ideas in the idea station suggesting an improvement. Here is the post I made well over a year ago in the Idea Station.

As you are coming from SW, make sure you understand Fusion 360's R.U.L.E #1