copy a cut OR change a body to a cut

[jbarchuk]

The site search is horrible and google returns a few hits but nothing specifically about how to copy/move/whatever a 'cut.'

I want to mill a round recess cut in a plate, and place an object in it. I 'cut' a cylinder recess into the plate, and added the object body. Cool.

That's fine but I also need to step/repeat it.

The FIRST option I mentioned in the title above, I found -no- way to 'select a cut' in order to copy it. The impression I get is that a cut is an 'un-object' in that it's invisible except in the context of the object its's cutting. When I turned off visibility for the plate I could see the cut, and ctl-c, but ctl-v said no object selected (because I had to turn off visibility for the plate to see the cut - Catch-22.)

OK Plan-B. I changed the cut to a body. That's a separate part and I can happily copy/paste them anywhere. But, I can't find a way to change it back to a cut.

One or both of those processes should be possible, but I've got a wrong step. I don't care which one I use as long as it works.

I don't want to cut all the recesses separately because I'll definitely need to move them again later anyway as various 'ctrl-click' selections. Also, it's faaaaar easier to create a new identical object relative to the original, rather than count all the little mm tic marks to the new location.

In the timeline I see options for Selection Set and Group but can find pretty close to zero documentation about those.

[innovatenate · Accepted solution]

If you have an extrude (cut) feature, you can use the pattern (or mirror) tools to replicate that feature in the design. 

However, from your description, I suspect the best thing to do would be to create a sketch in the shape of the recess that you would like to add. Next, use the extrude cut command to create the recesses. Keep in mind that if you are working in Parametric mode, with the timeline enabled, you will be able to update the sketch at any time and the recesses will follow. Check out this short video for further information.

https://screencast.autodesk.com/main/details/e5290207-9ee2-4348-b4ae-e0fbbda901c9

You can use the combine tool (modify drop down menu) to add or subtract bodies from one another, in a boolean fashion.

Another feature that may help in this case is the hole tool. You can create a sketch and then create multiple holes at one time. See this other video for more information.

https://screencast.autodesk.com/main/details/a83dfaaa-1029-4677-8b4e-d033a4da8501

I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

[dadosutter]

Nice, thanks.
But unfortunately the links are not working

This page isn’t working

screencast.autodesk.com is currently unable to handle this request.

HTTP ERROR 503

[davebYYPCU]

The links are 10 years old. Screencast has been discontinued.

Might help...