Insert into Current Desing: Clone Error

[Pildammarna]

Hello, 

I work with 6 parts that all are created from the 1:st original part. I just made some changes to the first part and then "Saved As" for the next 5 different versions. So I have 6 models in my left pane, I now I want to render them all together. 

The problem is when I try to insert part 2...6 into part 1. 

I get the error message: "Error: You are trying to insert wall-light-square v2, which appears to be a clone of wall-light-circle v2. wall-light-circle v2 is already referenced by the active document. Insertion of copies of documents is not supported right now."

Is there I way to solve this? Can I re-save the models so Fusion do not see them as clones?

[innovatenate · Accepted solution]

This is a known limitation and was discussed a bit in the June Product Update Preview blog post (below).

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-differently/june-product-update-preview/ba-p/5674451

One way to work around the issue is to Use the Save Copy As command located on right-click menu when right-clicking on a component in the model browser. This will allow you to insert the designs into the same workspace.

Using the Save As in the file drop down menu is similar to using the copy component command in the Autodesk 360 Web Browser. This method will not let you insert the designs due the clone warning.

Let me know if this suggestion helps or if you have any questions. 

Thanks,

[Pildammarna]

Thanks for your quick answer. That worked perfectly. 

[schengnz]

I would like to add that this limitation is putting a major wrench into my workflow.

At the moment, I have a script that takes a CSV with User Parameters and generate a whole family of parts and saved as .f3d files. These automatically generated parts are then uploaded (manually) back into Fusion360 as separate designs. Subsequent updates of these automated generated parts are (manually) uploaded into Fusion360 using the "Import New Version" functionality.

You might argue that my workflow is unnatural, however I have to do this becaue Fusion 360 does not allow to replace a component with another component at the moment, but only a different version of the component. I tried to get around the compoment replacement limitation while retaining the ability to automatic generate component family by utilizing the "Import New Version" functionality.

Now because of this "Clone" limitation I am stuck. Fusion360 thinks the automatically generated parts are all clone of each other. As such I can't build anything that use more than one of these generated parts; unfortunately this is a very common scenario for us.

What would be a suggested workaround? Is there a API for "save copy as"?

[Pildammarna]

Hello Schengnz,

I do not know an answer to your question, but I got interested of your workflow with a CSV and user parameters. 

I have been looking for something like this to automate models-specific dimensions. 

Would you mind tell me more about this, or perhaps guide me where to find more information about this. 

Best regads / Johan

[schengnz]

Johan,

Take a look at this: http://help.autodesk.com/view/NINVFUS/ENU/?guid=GUID-1c19f064-fdf0-11e4-a863-f8b156d7cd97

It is however of limited use at the moment, due to various limitations of Fusion360. I thought I was clever to use "Import New Version", but obviously not clever enough.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Stephen

[Anonymous]

---

@innovatenate wrote:

This is a known limitation and was discussed a bit in the June Product Update Preview blog post (below).

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-differently/june-product-update-preview/ba-p/5674451

One way to work around the issue is to Use the Save Copy As command located on right-click menu when right-clicking on a component in the model browser. This will allow you to insert the designs into the same workspace.

Using the Save As in the file drop down menu is similar to using the copy component command in the Autodesk 360 Web Browser. This method will not let you insert the designs due the clone warning.

Let me know if this suggestion helps or if you have any questions. 

Thanks,

---

I also encountered this problem after I had unknowingly 'Cloned' several Designs.  I had not discovered this work around yet, so I ended up just deleting the 'clones' and starting over from scratch on each one them.

It just seems very odd to me that a file created with 'Save as' is somehow tied to the file that it was saved from.  I can not think of ANY other program where this is the case.  Normally, if you choose save as, you get a completely separate file that is not associated with the original file in any way.  That is the way I expected it to work and in my opinion, that is how it should work.

My question would be:  What is the benefit of the 'Cloned' files?  I certainly can't think of any from a users point of view.

Even though, you have provided this 'work around', I think this is going to continue to be a problem for new users.  I think based on the fact that you referred to this a 'known limitation' that you also realize that it is a problem.  I think at the very least the 'Save as Copy' command should be placed it the 'File' menu and some explanations of the differences between the two be provided in dialogs.  Unless there is some huge benefit to the the current 'Save as' functionality I think it would probably be best to just replace it with the 'Save as Copy' and eleminate the confusion altogether.

Jody

[Zero__]

Hi - I have this same error. I opened up the left hand data browser but when I right click on one of my models, there is no Save Copy As option. I tried to create a Copy of the part, but it still gave me the same error. What do I do?

[Anonymous]

I think you have to open the part and then right click on the main component in the design tree on the left side to get the save as copy option.

[IbrahimAltiay]

Thanks Nathan,

This worked for me. I guess this is comparable to Solidworks behaviour and the pack-and-go feature.

Thanks,
Ibrahim