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Table Of Contents
414 | Chapter 16 Assembling Parts
Using the Desktop Browser
As you assemble parts, a graphical hierarchy of the assembly is illustrated in
the Desktop Browser. Each 3D constraint applied to an assembly component
is listed below the component. You can tell at a glance which constraints
exist between which components, because the other component to which
the constraint applies is shown in the hierarchy. When you hold the cursor
over a constraint, feature, or tweak in the Browser, a tooltip displays perti-
nent data. For instance, the offset value is displayed for a mate constraint,
type and size data is displayed for a hole feature, and a distance value is dis-
played for a tweak. In scenes, explosion factors are displayed in a tooltip.
Using the Browser, you can both edit the hierarchy of an assembly and move
components into an empty assembly file. To restructure the hierarchy, you
either drag components, or use the cut and paste options in cases where the
Browser display is long and detailed. The design constraints for restructured
assemblies remain unchanged.
For more information about using in the Browser to restructure assemblies,
see Restructuring Assemblies on page 504 in chapter 18.
You can use the Browser to add, change, delete, and copy, and to localize and
externalize component definitions. To see how this works, edit the mate con-
straint on the hexbolt. Then change the color of a part, make copies, and
externalize a component definition.
To edit an assembly constraint with the Browser
1 Change your display to two viewports.
Command
2
2 Zoom to enlarge the hexbolt.
Context Menu In the graphics area, right-click and choose Zoom.
3 In the Browser, right-click the Mate pl/pl constraint under HEXBOLT_1, and
choose Edit.