Can I duplicate a Library Component without linking the symbols and footprints?

[chris_cummingsDT]

I created a new library component, with symbol and footprint. It is a connector for one end of a PCB, like edge connector fingers, but not using any standard spacing, size or shape.

The INs are on the left side of the PCB and the OUTs are on the right side, so I wanted 2 connectors, oriented correctly with appropriate names, as opposed to just horizontally flipping one upon insertion.

I duplicated the INs component, and Fusion 360 duplicated the symbol and footprint for me, but in doing so, it linked the symbol and footprint, as opposed to making a separate copy, something I think is designed to assist re-usability, a powerful space-and-work-saving efficiency feature for library parts. But in this case, not what I was looking for.

I am worried that if I delete the symbol or footprint from the second component, I will delete the one in the first component, too. I do not see a "Break Link" option. 

Can someone point me to the correct workflow? I am sure I am just doing it wrong.

[Taylor.Chris]

Hello @chris_cummingsDT ,

You are correct here, our duplicate action only does what I would call a shallow copy, not a deep copy.  We hope to add an option to do this for you in the future, but right now you can only accomplish it manually.  To do this, you will need to duplicate the symbol(s) and footprint(s), then re-make the component with the new assets (they will need unique names too).  To remove the children of the component, (I think this is what you mean by Break Link) you can either delete the variants on the right side of the component editor, or use "Remove from [parent]" right-click option in the content manager, which is generally to the left.  Then you can re-make the variant list in the new component using New > Add local package (found below the list of variants to the right) and select the new copies for each.

[chris_cummingsDT]

@Taylor.Chris , Thank you so much for what I am sure will be the solution! I am still struggling with parts of the "Create New" using Import and actually getting the resulting symbol or footprint attached to the correct component in the 2-component library (INS and OUTS). Should I set up a support ticket so we could do a screen-share? I think if you can see my workflow, you will see what I am doing wrong.

[Taylor.Chris]

You need to build the component with the new parts.  Once you have a component, whether its/new/imported/copied,  double clicked on the component to see the component editor.   Then the two buttons that matter for this are the Add symbol button, and the Add local package button, shown below.

  

[chris_cummingsDT]

Hmm. Interersting! I always thought the Local Package option is to map a 3D model that is specific to that component instance, not the library version you get every time you Place.

I was using the New Footprint option as shown in the pic

Do you think it might be safest to just have a single-Component library, make it as INS and then save it, then Save As.. the OUTS and mod that file independently?

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hello @chris_cummingsDT,

It's really up to you if you want to have a separate libraries. Some users find that easier to keep track of.

Let me know if there's anything else we can do for you.

Best Regards,

[chris_cummingsDT]

Thank you, Jorge!

I could not see an easy way to NOT link when copying symbols and footprints within a component. I also could see a way to Create New then import a symbol from another component in the same library without linking it.

All that being said, I think the economies of having variants of a family all in a single library is a nice way to organize, but my designs so far are small enough that I like to think in terms of part SKUs anyway. The old philosophy of grabbing any old Sparkfun Capacitor and just changing the value in an instance-by-instance basis is really bad. No way to get a clean BOM.

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @chris_cummingsDT,

I hope you're doing well. By design, if you copy a component all of it's associated footprints and symbols come with it you then have to clean up the copy and remove whatever you don't want to have. If you only want a specific symbol or footprint then you have to copy those individually.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,