New Key Parameters for Custom CC Templates

[Anonymous]

Hello All,

I've got a custom content center part file that I created a few years ago. I'm now revisiting that part to give it a tune up and add some functionality that the current version does not have. In order to add these functions, I will need to add key paramters to the part's family table. I'm unsuccessful at locating, so far, where I can do this if it does exist.

My alternative is to reupload the part as a new family however all of my end-users of that part will then see the "Family no longer exists" error when attempting to "Change Size". In an effort to avoid any confusion or complication with the colleagues of mine who chose to utilize this tool, I'd like to make it as seamless as possible.

Is there some method for re-determining what the key paramters are in a part file as it pertains to content center?

(IV2017)

Thank you,

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

What do you term as a tune up on your existing CC part?  Different functions define different workflows.. 

[Anonymous]

Hi there Mark,

When I say tune up, I'm referring to redefining a few features to be more efficient as far as features and sketches go (careful to have no adverse effects on likely constraints). And when I say new functionality, what I mean is I that I added the ability to scale the part as well as rotate a previously un-rotatable section.

But I'm not sure what this has to do with whether or not new key parameters can be added to an existing CC part such that they appear as key columns in the family table.

Thank you again,

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Adding new columns to your family table is simple/possible and defining or redefining the key columns is also possible as well.  Changing the key columns has no impact of your existing CC parts in your model..  Its mainly the  questions you are asking the user to describe the CC component they want.  While in the CC editor/editing your family table you need to pick the key column icon and add/remove/reorder them.

But if you start getting into redesigning features and the sketches and replacing the family template, well that's where you run into issues and the ability not to update it.  That's the reason why I asked.

[Anonymous]

To be fair, I may not be describing exactly what I'm trying to do very well. To be more specific:

I've edited this family part template and replaced it through the CC editor. In my edits, I added new features for end users. One of which would require an additional input from the user which would need to be mapped to a new custom parameter within the template part. In this case, I would like to add my new angular parameter in the part file to be linked with "Angle2" in the Category Paramters. However, the dropdown does not list NewPartAngle. It only lists the parameters I mapped when I originally published the part.

My question is this: Can I get NewPartAngle to show up in that drop down and add it to the mapped parameters for this CC part?

Again, when I've had to do things like this in the past, I've had to delete the family and republish the part file in order to achieve the result I wanted. I'd just like to know if there's an easier and/or simpler way.

Thanks again,

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Now I understand..  I was thinking you were after new/redefining your key columns in the family table.   I'm thinking there's an article about this but I would have to do some digging.  I will also tag @cbenner to see if he has any info.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply and patience. I probably should have involved a screen shot in the first place 😛

[cbenner]

@Anonymous @Mark.Lancaster

Jumping in late, so forgive me if I'm not getting the jist right off.  It sounds like you want to make some changes to the base part that was published a few years ago?

To do this, (if you still have it) open the original part and make whatever changes you need, add columns to the ipart table, modify geometry etc.  If you don't still have the original part, you can open an instance from the CC "As Custom" and save is to a working folder... and again, make whatever changes you need.  In this case you may have to recreate the ipart table.

In either case, once you have made the changes that you need, you SHOULD be able to use "Replace Family Template" in the CC to apply the changes to the existing CC entry.  Now, depending on how extensive the changes are this should work, but in the worst case you may have to republish the component and delete the old family.  I've had it go both ways where it works like a charm, and also where I cannot get the template to replace and have had to republish.

If I'm totally off the mark.... ignore my rambling.

[Anonymous]

@cbenner

Good Morning Chris! While I appreciate your response and input, I'm afraid that doesn't quite hit the mark for what I'm asking about. I've already replaced the family template with an updated template ipt. What I want to do now is map some of the new parameters I added to the part file to the category parameters in CC.

The part was published a couple of years ago with only 2 key parameters mapped from the part to CC. The updated version of the part would require 2 more mapped parameters for a total of 4. I'm not sure if I can map new parameters or if I have to republish.

Thank you,

[rui_wang · Accepted solution]

@wimann 

Could you please try below steps? Hopefully it would resolve your question. 

1. Precondition, you have replaced the family template successfully. 
2. Go to Family table -> Add a new column with the setting which was mapping the parameter added by you.
3. 
4. Go to Family Properties dialog -> Template Parameters -> under Table Columns, select the column which was added in Step#2, then mapping this the Template Parameters. 
5. 
6. Go to Family Properties dialog -> Category Parameters, mapping the Category Parameters with Table Columns (the one which was added in Step#2). Click OK to finish. 
7. 
8. Go to Family table, make the column to Key Column if you want. 

Please feel free to let me know if you have any more questions or suggestions about this. 

Thanks,

-Rui

[Anonymous]

Rui,

Thank you very much! This is EXACTLY what I needed. I've implemented your steps at it has worked like a charm.

At first I read your steps only through email and while formatted strangely and a little hard to follow, I got through it and figured out where you were leading me. It was only after I followed the link to this thread that I realized you included pictures (which didn't show in the email) that would have made it much easier to follow.

Either way, Thank you.