2 minute read
Components within Components
Fig. 3-13: The Component view settings are adjusted, and the rest of the model is made more visible.
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Fig. 3-14: The Component view settings are adjusted: Similar components become more vivid, while the rest of model is faded even more.
You need to know when you’re working in a component or group instance instead of the rest of the model. Entering a component or group instance is easy. It is so easy that you can do it accidentally by double-clicking on a component or group. The difference in contrast and the clarity of objects are your important clues. Make sure you are familiar with these important indicators of component instances.
Components and groups can be located, pasted, or created within other components.
Example: Enter the group instance of one of the cubes. Next, select two of the smaller adjacent faces, right-click, and select Make Component. Name the faces Cube Faces and select OK. The two faces are now a separate component within the Cube component (Fig. 3-15).
Fig. 3-15: Create a component by selecting two faces within the Cube component instance.
Because they are the same component, every version of the cube will have this new component created within their instance (Fig. 3-16). Exit the cube instance.
Fig. 3-16: The Cube Faces component is created in all instances of the Cube component.
Select the Cylinder component, and select Copy from the Edit menu (or press Ctrl+C) (Fig 3-17). Reenter any of the Cube instances, select the Cube Faces component, and enter that component instance.
To ensure the model view is in the correct component instance, simply compare the contrasted model geometry as mentioned previously. While in the Cube Faces instance, go to Edit and select Paste (or Ctrl+V) (Fig. 3-18). This will paste a version of the Cylinder component within the Cube Faces instances.
Fig. 3-17: Select and copy one of the Cylinder components.
Fig. 3-18: Enter the Cube instance and then enter the Cube Faces instance. Paste the cylinder into the Cube Faces component. The Cylinder will be pasted into all instances of the Cube and Cube Faces components.
