How to Import User Parameters from a Master File and Link the Imported Parameters back to the Master File

[mgq001QHTV2]

I'm planning to model a large assembly.  Instead of having parameters scattered over multiple sub-assembly models (files) its been recommended that I keep on 'master' parameters file (which contains only parameters) and 'import' AND LINK those parameters into sub-assembly model files.  The goal is that if a main design parameter changes in the master file, any sub-assembly whose design relies on that parameter gets updated automatically (or at least after a refresh).

The 'master' parameters file only has the root level component, no other components under it and presently contains several dozen user parameters.

So far, after hours of trials and only errors, I've been unable to import the parameters in the master file into another file (e.g. a sub-assembly file will depend on the imported parameters).

[jeff_strater]

The usual way to do this is with Derive.  So, define your "parameters file", and create some user parameters.  I think you have to mark them as favorites.  Then Derive that design into every other design in your project that needs access to those parameters.  You can then reference them in that destination design,  Changes to the parameters in the original design will trigger out of date notification in every destination design.  There are a few annoyances with this method.

1. The granularity is at the file level.  If any parameter changes, every reference design will show out of date, even if the parameters they reference are not used in that design
2. Get All Latest does not (yet) update Derives.  You will have to explicitly find the Derive in the Timeline and update it.

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

I just tested this (example design attached).  I was pleasantly surprised that Get All Latest does update Derived components.  The bad news is that the parameters don't auto-complete like other parameters, unless you mark them as favorites in the referencing (destination) design.

[mgq001QHTV2]

Jeff,

Many thanks.  The trick was, after 'favouriting' them in the source (master) file and importing them with Insert > Derive (ensuring 'Favourites' is selected in the Derive dialog), to 're-favourite' the inserted parameters in the destination file (see example below) so they can be called up in sketches in the destination file or presumably similarly referenced in various other operations.

[TrippyLighting]

Don't ever un-favor them. The link will break without notification!

[mgq001QHTV2]

Thanks for the heads up Trippy.

Overall, this process (ie sharing/linking) parameters across files is quite 'kludgy' in my opinion.

One would think there would be a simple 'Insert > Insert Parameters' and 'Insert > Insert and Link Parameters' feature in Fusion, with suitable filters (e.g. text filtering, import just selected ones, etc.), option to insert/link just Model Parameters or User Parameters or Both, or just Favourites, etc. etc.  Seems to me that wouldn't be that difficult to code.