Linked Component changes affecting other project objects

[addohm]

I've run into something new to me.  I am making a case where the bottom of the case is meant to be "universal" and there will be several top half variations.  So, my thought was I create the bottom in its own project, then create the tops separately in other projects, so when I make any alterations to the bottom it shows up everywhere.  What is happening, that I haven't ever experienced is when I make a change to the bottom, it affects the top in unintended ways. 

  I cut a circle into the bottom, go to the top project and pull in the updates, then it applies those same extrusions to the top.  As an added measure, I made sure to extrude away from where the top would be, and it still cuts both objects in the other project.  I need to maintain the link, but I do not want this behavior.  What are my options?

[laughingcreek]

I think we'll need to see the model to diagnose this issue.  can you export your .f3z and attach? (you just need to do this with the top model, the export will package up the linked components in the .f3z)

[addohm]

Sure thing. 

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I haven't had a chance to look at the model but maybe the problem is when you extrude you are extruding a

distance. If you extrude instead to Object and select the top face of the object you want to cut, then you can

make changes to the thickness of the base and it shouldn't affect anything you put ON to the base. I didn't

realise how useful this was until I started using it. Might help.

Cheers

Andrew

[addohm]

Thanks, I tried that.  I tried, extruding from object to object simply selecting the two faces.  It did the same thing 😞

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

This is because, for the profile for Extrude2,  you have chosen a face of the lower half.  If you put a hole in that body, it will get reflected in the Extrude/Cut:

[addohm]

How can I save this without unlinking? 

[addohm]

I think I was able to save this by converting that particular feature on the timeline to a DM feature.  No idea if\how it will affect me down the road though.  Any insights?

[jeff_strater]

Neither unlinking nor making this a DM feature are probably not the best approaches, IMO.  I would create a sketch, and then selectively project the outer edges of that face, then you can ignore any interior holes that might come later.