Subassembly Composer won't show preview when using a variable

[david.taylor3PM2KD]

I've come across this problem a couple of times now and am interested to find out what is happening.  I created a simple subassembly in which I want the width to vary with the station between region start and region end.  In the attached image the variable I created is "Width".  As you can see the preview doesn't show anything when I use the variable.  When I change the variable to a constant value of 3.0 say, the preview does show what I expect to see.  I have a default value in the Variable declaration but this doesn't help.

Is there something else I need to do to get the preview to work when I'm using a variable?

[Jowennl · Accepted solution]

Hi @david.taylor3PM2KD ,

What you are trying to do is a transition width subassembly and using Baseline class will not display in your Roadway mode inside SAC because it is a variable and the software can't show you that. What you can do is trick the software in creating a Layout Ratio and display it in your layout mode.

Trick the SAC using Layout Mode

I discuss this in detail in my AU class and I suggest you look at this one. This will give you more ideas on how to deal with this type of subassembly. Please watch 20:20 to 35:50 of the <AU Class Link>.

Please see attached Sample_BaselineVariable.Zip to guide you further. (Please unzip to get the sample PKT) 

Try this out - In Layout Mode

Cheers,

Jowenn

[david.taylor3PM2KD]

Thanks Jowenn,

It's a workaround but it's not great.  I would have thought if you give default values to variables the SAC could present them using the default value.