How to create drawing variations?

[lemelman]

I have a model that is controlled by a set of parameters, and I need to produce a set of drawings showing the results of changing some or all of the parameters, but I don't want to have to create a new drawing for each variation.

After producing the model with the first set of parameters, I create the original drawing, and that's fine. If I change the parameters, the drawing is updated as expected, but I've then lost the first drawing. If I save the model with a new name after changing the parameters, then I have to redraw the associated drawing from scratch.

If there was such a thing as a named parameter file then I could create a new file for each variation, plug it into the model and the drawing would update automatically. In the absence of such a facility, how can I achieve what I need?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Yep, that ability usually goes along with a feature set called configurations in all other mainstream CAD systems on the market that I am aware of. 

Usually, the different parameter sets are captured in form of a table. For example, you could then give each dimension a different label and each set of parameters would be a different configuration.

Then instead of hard dimensions on the technical drawing, you use the name of that dimension and pace that table on the drawing.

Or you create multiple sheets, each with its own design referring to a different configuration.

Unfortunately, 6 years after this has been promised, that feature set is still not implemented and we don't have a firm road map when it will be implemented.

[lemelman]

That's a great pity, but I rather thought that that was the situation.

What is it that ties a drawing to a model? Is it some internal link that is independent of what names are chosen for the model and the drawing, or are the names used in some way?