Allow Editing Linked Components

[Anonymous]

I have an assembly that I dragged in components from the data panel. The components appear with a link on them as expected. Just like in solidworks, if I make changes to the model elsewhere it updates in the assembly. However, unlike Solidworks I'm unable to modify the components from within the assembly. My workflow consists of modifying components in the context of other components but I'm unable to do this. The only thing I can do is right click > open and modify the component on its own.

In assemblies that have components that are local and not linked I'm able to activate them and edit them in context.

[TrippyLighting]

@Anonymous While in support this idea as well, I stand by my statement above  that most users that scream for this don’t really need linked components to the degree they think. Fusion 360 roots are that of a top down modeling software and linked components were an afterthought asked for by users that tried to adapt workflows they used in other CAD software. I shamefully admit included me!

However, you can create complete assemblies in Fusion 360 not needing any linked components and that is a much smoother workflow.

[roambotics_scott]

You can write a program without using any functions… that doesn’t mean you should.

Doing the same work over and over again is folly. It’s not just that it’s a waste of time, but it forces the user to do the mechanical work of guaranteeing that every copy is the same and that every change is propagated with perfect fidelity.

That’s not only a needless waste of time, but it all but guarantees that mistakes will be made.

[CruftMeister]

I have to agree with Scott; using linked assemblies is not only a valid workflow, it is an important means to avoid duplication of effort and leverage existing components and subassemblies, which saves time and reduces mistakes.  Even small teams with limited design families benefit from the advantages of linked assemblies, I've seen this across my career.

[TrippyLighting]

 @CruftMeister  I did not say that working with linked components is not a valid workflow. I did in fact say that I support this idea and of course working with linked components is a valid workflow.

However  that is really quite besides the point I was trying to make. 

My point is that for whatever reason that  most new F360 users, whether noob or seasoned professional start working with linked components even in cases when it is not necessary. And clearly not every component needs to be a linked component.

As such if one is a little frugal in the use of linked components that makes Fusion 360 life much easier.

I might add that I know that this is being worked on. I was asked a while back if I'd be interested in getting a demo to provide feedback and so I did. That's all I can say.

[SerhiiPohorielov]

Marked for "Future Consideration" in 2015...

Year 2019, still needed, still absent.

[roambotics_scott]

Welcome to Fusion 350

[MJHyne]

As a Designer for furniture & some mechanical components, the ability to edit linked components within an Assembly would be huge for me & my colleagues (we're in the process of replacing our previous software with Fusion for many reasons - all to do with how intelligent Fusion is, & how easy & efficient it makes things).

A recent example is a Helmseat Pedestal I'm working on, it moves in just about every direction a user could want & so consists of an awful lot of elements when you add in bolts & nuts etc. It makes perfect sense to build the common/interchangeable elements in their own Assemblies & then add them to a Master as Sub-Assemblies (so as to enable options within the specification of the unit & to make Drawings much, much more manageable), but when they all have to inter-relate, not being able to edit them in place, relative to their cohort, is really disappointing & counter intuitive in such an agile & intelligent modelling environment.