topic Re: Component Replace and Keep (original) in Inventor Forum

Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 12:47:06 GMT

Does such a thing exist? In an assembly, I would like to create a new part from an existing part on screen, so I would like to be able to pick that part and it makes a copy of that original part, constrains this new part the same way as the original (if the geometry is the same) and it also keeps the original in its place (until I turn off its visibility). Is this possible in a command somewhere that I am missing?

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mcgyvr — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:09:50 GMT

Nope...

Save and replace or component/replace will replace the original..

No option to keep the original.

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

theo.bot — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:10:24 GMT

On the assamble Tab, in the panel "productivity" you will find "Save and replace". This creates a copy of your select part and replaces it after save.

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:26:11 GMT

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:26:43 GMT

Oops! I clicked "accept solution" to the other response too quick-you're right about that; I want both instances to still exist.

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

A.Acheson — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:32:47 GMT

You are entering into ilogic territory with the request. How often do you need to carry out this operation?

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:42:39 GMT

I had a feeling that was the case, I was hoping someone tackled this by now; seems like something many would need. Some of our product categories are "similar but different", so we do this quite often.

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

theo.bot — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:48:18 GMT

And i didn't read your request correctly.
But you can do the following: edit your part, save as new file. in your assembly use Place at component origin from the productivity list. First Select your original part, the select the new file. The origins will be constraint.

But Like @A.Acheson mentioned a full custom workflow requires automation using API or Ilogic.

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mcgyvr — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:54:49 GMT

@mluterman wrote:

I had a feeling that was the case, I was hoping someone tackled this by now; seems like something many would need. Some of our product categories are "similar but different", so we do this quite often.

@mluterman Have you looked into 2022 Model States (new) or even ipart/iassembly (legacy) functionality?

Its often used to create "configurations" of like products where parts can easily be one similar version in one assembly and a different version in another.. Constraints would be maintained if/when possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oZWYjku5qw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0j07XRRTo8

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:58:52 GMT

Thank you for your suggestions, I'll keep this in mind...

Re: Component Replace and Keep (original)

mluterman — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:59:40 GMT

Hmmm...maybe I should stop "living in the past" and try it this way...thanks.