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External referenced issues

Hi all,

I'm doing a project for a client in SW2006 (SP5.1) having some issues with referenced parts. I've got a bunch of parts that have "in context" sketch relationships referenced in higher-level assemblies.

Now, I'm having some troubles with the relationships going "out of context" when I open the parts without the assembly. Despite ticking the "open all references" in options, whenever I open the parts in isolation (without the master assembly open) the configurations fall over and fail to update as they are "out of context". Is there any way you can force SolidWorks to open any referenced parts/assemblies when you open a part with referenced "in context" relationships? I was pretty sure there was but the option I thought it was doesn't seem to be doing it much.

The option I've chosen is: Tools--->Options--->System Options--->Load Referenced Documents--->All

The only other option I'll have, I fear, is to get the part open and working properly then "lock" the external references... which is less than desirable.

I generally steer clear of in-context references where I can, and I can engineer them out.... but the client has already generated a lot of data using this and I'm reluctant to go through and make wholesale backtrack changes if I can help it.

Reply to
George.Maddever
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This is how SolidWorks operates. It is the norm.

If you need to work on something without the assembly open then go to the part's FILE/EXTERNAL REFERENCES and lock all the references. Then you will have to remember to un-lock the external references if you change anything.

The very nature of an in-context feature demands that the assembly which mediates changes between parts be open when references are to be loaded.

TOP

Reply to
TOP

Thanks TOP,

That's exactly what I've done and it seems to be working, although it's not ideal... thanks for the tip nonetheless :)

Reply to
George.Maddever

I find myself forgetting that I've locked something down. I think the symbol for external references changes to let you know. You just have to be aware that you have used that technique and be on the lookout when making changes.

TOP

Reply to
TOP

In the end, I decided to ditch the in-context references and just break all the links and define things manually.... the client is not a SWX guru and I weighed up the damage they could do tinkering around with the model with and without in-context relationshps... figured it was better to spend the time and "weed out" all of the links.

Reply to
George.Maddever

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