topic Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component in Fusion Support Forum

Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

JRDesign123 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 20:35:58 GMT

Hi guys,

I'm pretty sure this used to work, but I cant seem to find a way to do this now.

I have reduced this to a very simple test design in which i just insert another component from the Data Panel.

Now what I want to do is to take a body from that inserted component, copy it to my design, and do whatever with it.

This seems to be impossible now, when i right click on the body in the inserted component, i can select Copy, but when I try to insert that body somewhere else, nothing happens and the "Move Component" appears.

It even creates a feature in the Timeline, but the Body is not copied.

I have found this help article: Unable to drag a component or body from one component to another or move bodies to group in Fusion 360 (autodesk.com)

But nothing mentioned there changes anything.

the article even says

Copy Body and use the Paste New command from the right-click in the Browser.

which is not even possible for Bodies, that's a component thing, right?

What am I missing here?

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

jhackney1972 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 20:59:45 GMT

If you want to copy a body from a Linked component (External file) then you have chose to Break the Link first. What you are trying to do is copy a body into an external file and that is not possible unless you are using Edit in Place. Even then the copied body will be created in the external file.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

JRDesign123 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:23:58 GMT

Hi, thanks for your answer!

I might not have been clear enough.

I am trying to do the opposite, I am trying to use a body from an inserted component in my design.

I am aware that I cant edit external components.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

jhackney1972 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:29:02 GMT

No, I understood your question fine. As I said before, you cannot copy a Body from a Linked File (External). You must right click on it and chose Break the Link before you can copy and paste a body.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

jhackney1972 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:42:52 GMT

Here is an Animated GIF of the process you described you wanted. If you want something different, create a screen capture or video of your own.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

JRDesign123 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:43:59 GMT

In your first reply you said "What you are trying to do is copy a body into an external file and that is not possible unless you are using Edit in Place." which I dont think describes what i am trying to do.

But I guess i remembered wrong that this is possible.

Meanwhile I have found a working solution that works without breaking the reference, I can use the Insert Derive feature to insert the body.

Thank you for your input, and have a nice Christmas and everything!

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

JRDesign123 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:47:51 GMT

Thank you for the time you took to create the recording!!

That is indeed what I am trying to do, it's just that having the reference to the Source design is essential for what I am trying to do, I need to be able to update the Source Design and have changes propagate to the Design that references it.

I did not see your reply before making my previous post, but I think the Insert Derive feature is the better way to go here, would you agree?

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

jhackney1972 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:51:44 GMT

Your solution is a good one. I was trying to answer your question, if you had asked how to get a Body into a new model, I would have responded with a different solution. I probably should go beyond the question ask sometimes but users normally get upset about that so I do not do it.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

JRDesign123 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:56:26 GMT

I certainly don't get upset at people who are willing to offer up their time to try to help me.

My confusion here originated in my false memory that this used to be possible, so I thought I must be missing something obvious and was going a little mad.

So thanks again, and have a good day.

Re: Unable to copy bodies from a referenced component

jeff_strater — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 00:16:44 GMT

@JRDesign123 - yes, this is supposed to work. It works in a simple case that I had sitting around (see video). It is possible that it could be data-specific. You do have to right-click on the top of the active design, to make sure that you are trying to paste it into that component.

(view in My Videos)