Assembly Customization

[b.johnson.4204]

I have a profile running along the top of my pipe and am creating corridor surface profile from it. I am showing fill above each pipe for 2.5'. Currently I am just using a basic lane subassembly and making it 2.5' thick. The attachment for lanes is at the top of the pavement though, so to make the 2.5' thick fill go above the pipe I then have to physically move that subassembly up 2.5'. Is there any way to make the insertion point for that lane subassembly at the bottom so I don't have to physically move it up every time or is there another subassembly piece that can function like I want that I am not utilizing. Thanks! 

[Jeff_M]

Use a LinkVertical subassembly with a 2.5' vertical deflection, attach the lane to this?

[b.johnson.4204]

A co-worker suggested that as well. Wouldn't I still have to snap the lanes to that link at the top? What is the advantage of that vs just moving it up 2.5'?

[tyronebk · Accepted solution]

I often use move offsets in assembly creation, especially when there is an unchanging vertical offset, but there are advantages using another subassembly to control that offset. Moving a subassembly away from it's attachment point results in a completely constant offset value, which is quick and dirty but unforgiving when you need to make adjustments. Using another subassembly to control the offset allows you to control the offset value using a target or parameter reference if the design changes. It also makes it easier to confirm an offset value without having to measure the move distance.