Combining copied bodies

[bmcooke]

I am modelling an engine crankcase design, and since it has a lot of recurring geometry, I drew up one "bay" of the case, then copied / moved it to create the other 2 bays. They show as separate components, and arent locked. 

I need to combine all 3 into one component so I can continue the case ends. As they are linked together I cant change one end without all of them changing. When I chose the "Combine" command, I can select the parent body, but the other (tool) bodies are not selectable. The bodies are physically touching. What do I need to do to combine them?

[jhackney1972]

Using my idea, you are basically removing the bodies from your components and creating a new assembly containing only those bodies.  You can change them as much as you want and they will not affect each other since they are separate bodies.  When you finish, you can make the bodies into one component or multiple as you desire.  Take a look at the screencast.

[bmcooke]

Thanks for the suggestion, however it creates other problems as it is saving the bodies as a new design. I need to keep them in the existing design since there are a lot of other components that it connects to. If I went to another design, I'd have to bring it back in, which makes it locked - unless I've missed something...

[bmcooke]

The other thing is, trying that method, the new design only showed the single body, not the multiples. 

[bmcooke]

I have fixed it - your response was a clue I needed. I Copied the Bodies from each of the components into a new component, And that one could then be combined OK. Thanks for the clue needed!