Changing an assembly in SOLIDWORKS often involves modifying the individual components that make it up. One common and effective way to do this is by editing a component directly from within the assembly environment. This method allows you to make precise changes while seeing how they affect the overall assembly structure and fit.
Here's the straightforward process for changing a component, such as a part or a sub-assembly, directly from within your main SOLIDWORKS assembly:
Steps to Edit a Component from an Assembly
This workflow focuses on opening the component in its own window for editing, as outlined in the reference:
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Access the Component:
- In the assembly window, navigate to the FeatureManager design tree.
- Click or right-click the specific component (part or sub-assembly) you wish to modify.
- From the shortcut or context menu that appears, select Open Part (if it's a part) or Open Assembly (if it's a sub-assembly).
- Practical Insight: This action opens the component file in a separate SOLIDWORKS window, allowing you to edit it independently while still having the assembly readily available.
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Make Necessary Changes:
- With the component window now active, proceed to make the required modifications. This could involve changing dimensions, adding or removing features, adjusting properties, or any other necessary design alterations.
- For example: You might change the diameter of a hole, add a fillet, or modify an extrusion depth on a part. If you opened a sub-assembly, you could add or remove parts, change mates, etc.
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Save and Update the Assembly:
- Once you have completed your changes in the component window, save the component file.
- Close the component window.
- Key Point: When you return to your main assembly window, SOLIDWORKS will automatically recognize that the component has been updated and will refresh the display to show the changes.
| Step | Action | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Open Component | Click or right-click component and select 'Open Part' or 'Open Assembly' | FeatureManager Design Tree | Component opens in a new window |
| 2. Edit Component | Make design changes | Component Window | Component file is modified |
| 3. Save & Close | Save changes and close the component window | Component Window | Changes are saved to the component file |
| 4. Assembly Updates | Return to assembly window | Main Assembly Window | Assembly automatically reflects component changes |
Why Use This Method?
Editing a component from within the assembly context using the "Open Part/Assembly" method is beneficial because:
- It ensures you are editing the actual component file that is referenced by the assembly.
- Changes made this way are parametric and permanent, affecting all assemblies where that component is used (unless you use configurations or Save As with a new name).
- You can easily switch between the component window and the assembly window to check the impact of your modifications.
While SOLIDWORKS also offers "Edit Component" mode (often referred to as "In-Context Editing"), which allows changes within the assembly graphics area without opening a separate window, the method described in the reference is the standard way to open and modify the component file itself outside the direct assembly environment. Both methods are valid for changing components, but the "Open Part/Assembly" method is crucial for making broader changes to the component file directly.
Following these steps based on the provided reference allows you to effectively modify components, thereby changing your SOLIDWORKS assembly.
