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Show Component Pattern direction/rotation axis in browser like a constraint

Show Component Pattern direction/rotation axis in browser like a constraint

The assembly browser lists the constraints on a component, so we can see and manage its relationships with other components. However, there's one type of relationship that's completely hidden, not listed anywhere, so it's easy for it to get lost or broken.

 

When we create a Component pattern (rectangular or circular), we have to select an axis to use as the direction or rotation axis, very similar to how we select an axis for a constraint. Also, just like in a constraint, the axis is from now on required for the component pattern to function properly. If the axis gets lost, the pattern breaks.

 

Even though this relationship is created similar to a constraint, and it's required for the assembly to function just like a constraint, it's not listed anywhere in the browser like a constraint is. This makes it very easy to accidentally break the pattern, such as by deleting whatever contained the axis, or by promoting/demoting the pattern without the thing that contained that axis (or vice-versa).

 

It would be much easier to be aware of and manage these component pattern axes if they were listed in the browser, as a relationship, between the component pattern and the axis source, like this:

 

Pattern axis in browser.png

1 Comment
Anonymous
Not applicable

This has happened to me many times in the past. I remove one component from an old assembly, and suddenly, bolts fly all over the screen!!

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