Copy assembly file to other folder and edit it without changing original file?

[Anonymous]

With part files I can simply copy the file and paste it in another folder in my directory, and when I make changes and save it to the copied file the original is unchanged. Now how can I do this with assembly files? I have just been creating a new project every time and adding all the parts, but is there an easier way?

[Xun.Zhang]

Hi Ben,

Please leverage Pack&Go to do the copy job which make your life easier.

Thanks!

[kelly.young]

Hello @Anonymous I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Here is a great link that should help:

Inventor Copy Assembly For Reuse Best With Pack & Go Or Other Options?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi!

If I ever need to do this, I generally just use Save As. Then you can save the same assembly either in a new location or with a different name (or both), and then make any changes without changing the original.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! You may consider using Copy Design workflows. In Design Assistant, you can select certain components and do copy design. Or, you can use iLogic Design Copy (start up Inventor without opening any file -> Tools -> iLogic Design Copy).

Many thanks!

[mcgyvr]

I second using "iLogic Design Copy"...

Only available with all files closed in Inventor...

Here is a quick video I found about it..

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/getting-started/caas/screencast/Main/Detail...

kelly.young has embedded your screencast for clarity:

[SBix26]

Your description is probably lacking some detail, because copying and editing an assembly file should be no different from any other file: edits are saved to the file that is open, and not to any other file.

If, however, you have also copied the assembly's component files and want the copied assembly to use them instead of the originals, then you have to use one of the techniques that others have posted here. 

Another technique that hasn't been mentioned is to simply make sure, by means of project file locations, that the copied assembly can't find its components where they were originally; it will then ask you to specify them.  This is most easily accomplished by temporarily moving those original files to another location outside the project scope, and then opening the copied assembly.  After you identify all the copied components, save your assembly and move the originals back to their proper location.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2019.0.1 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

[Cris-Ideas]

Hi,

I suppose you are starting with inventor so I expect iLigic copy and all expert techniques are not required.

If you just want another assembly like one you just have it is best to use Save As command.

This gives you the ability to start building right from you have got with the assembly you had.

Also if after you would like to replace your old assembly used as a component somewhere with your new assembly all constrains will stay valid (as long as reference geometry is there).

If you save this new file within workspace of your current project all parts will be referenced properly.

If you would like to use this assembly in another project (design) you can save it in another projects work space ad than add either library or work group search patch for the other project so inventor knows where to look for parts that you use in this new assembly.

But if you have many assemblies that shear common core and only differ in some options it is best to use "core sub assembly" with its BOM structure set to phantom and add options one level up.

If you describe what is your design intent and what effect you would want to have in therms of model structure or function we could give you some hints.

So I encourage you to describe what you want to do. Or what you think you want.

Cris.

[jimMGH37]

Ok, so I try to do this everyday and it still ALWAYS saves over the original file?!?! I have been trying to figure this out for a while. If I open a part from an assembly, give it a different name, and do a save as-save as  OR save as -save as copy , no matter what it is still saving over my original file. PLEASE HELP?!?

[jimMGH37]

I have been trying to figure this out for a while. If I open a part from an assembly, give it a different name, and do a save as-save as  OR save as -save as copy , no matter what it is still saving over my original file. PLEASE HELP?!?

[kelly.young]

Hello @jimMGH37 I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

If you are having issues writing over files, a workflow that might be helpful is Assemble > Productivity > Save and Replace. 

Hope that helps!

[jimMGH37]

ILL GIVE THIS A TRY. THANKS.