How do you align components that have other components?

[jonYDM8U]

So I designed a 19" rack mount in a model.  In that rack I added 3 components.  A server, a patch panel, and a switch.

So there's the rack with rails and the 3 hardware components.

Now, I open the "room" document and I insert the rack design into the room design, but it isn't where it needs to be.  So I want to align all of the 4 components in the rack design to one of the components in the room design.

But, when I align, it only moves ONE of the components in the rack design.

How do I get the linked design to move all together?

[jonYDM8U]

Hmm...so in the rack design, I selected all components and created a rigid group and then it worked.

Is this how it's supposed to be done?

[jeff_strater]

basically, yes.  You need to create joints between all components you want to be relate to each other.  If those are intended to be rigid, then, yes, a rigid group is the easiest way to do this.   If there are moving parts, then you would create a different kind of joint between those components.  And, you should most always use a Joint, not Align.  Align is not parametric (will not update if your component geometry changes), while a Joint is fully associative to geometry

[jonYDM8U]

Okay, so at its simplest, some rules of thumb:


- Start every design element as a component.
- For every design that contains components, consider the relationship
between each component and apply a joint appropriate to that relationship.
For example: If there's a piano against a wall, the relationship to the
wall is probably going to be rigid. If there's a vase on the piano, the
relationship to the piano is going to be rigid. If the piano has a lid,
the relationship to the piano is going to be revolute (hinges.) But in
everything, ensure that there is a joint to keep components in their place
when expecting them to be linked to other designs.
- Draw all of your sketches in the component for which they belong so
you don't get confused.

Does that sound about right?

[jeff_strater]

yes!  Those are good rules of thumb.  Here is a post that expresses some of the same principles, from @TrippyLighting :  fusion-360-r-u-l-e-1-and-2