Subassemblies and grounding

[garmitage]

I have read a bit on the forum on this topic but I am still confused.  Since the program is constantly being updated I don't know what on the forum is still valid.  Can someone please explain why I can't move my subassemblies without the entire assembly moving, including the "grounded" subassembly?

[chrisplyler]

It may be an organizational problem combined with the Move Object type selected in the Move palette.

For example, you may have several separate Bodies organized into one Component, and when you're trying to move one body you have Components selected as the Move Object type. Obvious this will result in the whole thing moving instead of just the body you want moved.

[garmitage]

Would the same thing be responsible for being unable to move subassemblies "manually", which I also try in the screencast?

[chrisplyler]

Well, yes. Because sub-assemblies are really just Components WITHIN another Component.

If you've used any Joints (and I assume you would have), they could also interfere with a Move attempt.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

You mention that you grounded an assembly. In many cases you cannot ground an assembly, you can only ground a component within that assembly and everything else in that assembly needs to be joined to that component/origin.

If you want to ground an assembly you also need to somehow reference the top level origin in that assembly.

I do this often when importing external components, for example an Ethernet jack downloaded from Amphenol in STEP format. This comes in as a collection of components. there are not moving parts in that assembly so I then right-click on the root of the browser and apply a rigid group joint including all child components.

When Inserted into another design, I can ground that assembly because everything is referenced to the top level origin in that assembly.

Grounding only affects one single component origin (not geometry, e'g. bodies!!!) and locks that component origin to the top level origin. 

[garmitage]

Thanks.  That's the simple answer I needed.  Of course, one answer breeds more questions.

I successfully grounded the component I wanted to, making the other subassemblies free to move.  But to continue testing the idea I've tried the same thing with other subassemblies (grounding a component of the subassembly) to lock it in place, but it still moves freely (within joint constraints).  Explanation?

Regarding your instructions of how to ground an assembly I have two question: When would this be desirable; and  "right-click on the root of the browser" isn't clear to me