Creating Master Components

[billdresselhaus]

QUESTION: When creating a "master" single component (one that will be used in many designs such as a specific potentiometer for guitar designs), should one create the single component directly in the top level in the Browser or first add "New Component"  so that the component is actually a sub-component built under the top Browser level?

[TrippyLighting]

Each new Fusion 360 design/file already is a component, so if a design is only going to host a single object ( that might be composed from one or more individual bodies) then there's no need to add another component in that design.

[billdresselhaus]

Great answer!!!...Thank you!!!...One more thing...does it make any difference if I do this either way???...Either create directly under the top Browser level or create as sub-Component...will this method effect Insertion of this master Component into another design??? The second way does add the ability for an Assembly later if needed...and it seems when I copy and paste a Component created in another assembly design into a blank design to create a master Component it is entered the second way as a sub-Component.

[TrippyLighting]

Those question indicate to me that you've not watched any of the video tutorials in the Support and Learning section available through the menu directly on top o the forum.

Please do. You will have questions afterwards but you'l have a better foundation for asking questions and I don't have to start with Adam and Eve 😉

If you insert a design into another design, that design is now a component group or assembly. It does not make too much sense to create an assembly with only one component in it. 

[billdresselhaus]

Thank you again for your reply.

Yes, I understand that the top level of the Browser is also a Component. Yes, I have reviewed most all of the online tutorials on Components searching for this answer. Yes, I know how to create a Component. Yes, I know a single component need not be an assembly (but that might change in the future). This was simply a question about the optimum file/Browser structure for creating “master” Components…top level or assembly level…and how that might effect Insertions into other designs. I have done my own experiment and resolved this. My apologies for asking and taking your time…it will not happen again.

[TrippyLighting]

I am glad you did your research!

Based on my experience here over the last 5 years and 10000 post I can say that that is not particularly common.

No need to be insulted 😉

The question you asked, however, is not easy to answer and to really make sense it is best done within the context of a design. Some of the things are rather abstract and without a concrete example are hard to explain.

You can create a component in a component. But there are certain behaviors that can result from that if you are not following the right workflow and to be honest the tutorials I pointed you to are not explaining that well either.

In fact I would encourage you to build a little sample assembly of such inserted components and observe their behavior when assembled with joints. If hat yields questions please come back and I'll explain.

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

If your file is simply a single component, just build it in the base level of the Project Browser without creating a new component therein.

If you DO create a new component therein, then when you insert that file into another design, it will come in as a component with ANOTHER component inside of it. That isn't particularly bad, but just causes a bit of needless clutter and more clicks to drill down to things.

[billdresselhaus]

Thank you, Chris, so much for a great answer...exactly what I needed. I did a little experiment with a simple washer Component and confirmed your answer. I am working on a systematic structural approach to consistently creating Sketches, Bodies, Components, Models and Assemblies (and teaching such)...a comprehensive way to create all of them for optimum order, parametrics and revisions. My Best to You...Bill.

[TrippyLighting]

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@billdresselhaus wrote:

 I am working on a systematic structural approach to consistently creating Sketches, Bodies, Components, Models and Assemblies (and teaching such)...a comprehensive way to create all of them for optimum order, parametrics and revisions. 

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If you are teaching this be cautious in developing such recipes. I've done CAD and 3D modeling for 30 years now and in my experience the structure of things very often depends on the design you are creating.

For example I am sure you have familiarized yourself with Fusion 360's R.U.L.E #1.

Many people that do mechanical and machine design will only ever have one body in one component and will really only follow the main trunk of that rule.
However, I you do product design it is very common to create multi-body components or to derive multiple componets from a single body. That relates more to the exceptions of the rule. Both require a different workflow.