Creating a Parent Component

[JackJohnson321]

Hi there,

I have component which I now need to make a sub-component of a larger assembly. I tried creating the parent component, dragging it back through the timeline to a point before the sub-component was created, and then dropping the sub-component in the parent component. This adds a 'CutPaste' operation to the end of the timeline- not very tidy! Is there a way to edit the parameters of 'Create Component' for my sub-component so that I can redefine the assembly component as the parent? Regards.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Drag the Timeline play head back in history to before where the components existed.

Create a New Component.

Make the top level active.

Drag the components into the newly created component.

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

[JackJohnson321]

Is that not the exact same method as the one that I've already tried? If so, it will work, but it adds a 'CutPaste' operation to the end of the timeline. I'm trying to avoid this as what I intend to make will end up being quite complex so I'm trying to keep things as neat as possible.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@JackJohnson321 wrote:

...it will work, but it adds a 'CutPaste' operation to the end of the timeline.

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I don't understand why this is an issue.

I guess you could have some of your subs as external components.

or

Start Over and create in the desired structure order... 😁

[TrippyLighting]

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@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

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@JackJohnson321 wrote:

...it will work, but it adds a 'CutPaste' operation to the end of the timeline.

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I don't understand why this is an issue.

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The issue is that it is at the end of the timeline!

I reorganize, for example, to make things more efficient including but not limited to find, isolate edit components easier. However, when you roll the timeline back, now the component shows up in the initial location in the structure.

So you'll have to hunt it down exactly in the way you were trying to avoid by re-organizing.

In other words, the timeline remembers everything including the time you shot yourself in the foot. Ant it lets you relive the mistake over and over and over ...

If you've ever watch the move "live die repeat" , that is exactly how it feels 😉

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

Do a Save As Copy of the component.   Move the timeline back to just prior to where the component was created. Delete it from the timeline.  Move the timeline back to where you want the component to exist. Import the copy.

[JackJohnson321]

I completely agree. If I've learnt anything from using this software it's that it helps to constantly restructure the timeline so that everything's constructed in a logical order; same with sketches and defining everything in the best possible terms. If you don't you just run into problems down the road when you want to alter things. 

[JackJohnson321]

I completely agree. If I've learnt anything from using this software it's that it helps to constantly restructure the timeline so that everything's constructed in a logical order; same with sketches and defining everything in the best possible terms. If you don't you just run into problems down the road when you want to alter things.

[JackJohnson321]

Thanks, that should do it!