Show component's feature tree during placement

Is there any way to show a component's feature tree while
placing/constraining it in an assembly? I know you can show the
component in its own window, but that window does not have a feature
tree. Also, I've noticed that if you are placing a component that
already exists in the assembly it will show a feature tree. My
instincts lead me to believe there is a config.pro option that will
show the feature tree whether or not the component is already in the
assembly. I've looked for such an option, but no cigar. Any help is
appreciated.

-Mahir

 

There is not any way that I know of. The component is not
added to the Model Tree until Component Placement has been
closed (wf2*).

If you are trying to get at a blanked or hidden feature there
are a couple of methods that I know of that might help a bit ...

_ Unhide All in the separate component window.
_ If you've put features on layers you can switch the
Layer Tree to the component being placed (yep, even
if no other instances have been placed) and show them
or select them for placement reference from there.


* > Also, I've noticed that if you are placing a component

How so? What version?


Is there any way to show a component's feature tree while
placing/constraining it in an assembly? I know you can show the
component in its own window, but that window does not have a feature
tree. Also, I've noticed that if you are placing a component that
already exists in the assembly it will show a feature tree. My
instincts lead me to believe there is a config.pro option that will
show the feature tree whether or not the component is already in the
assembly. I've looked for such an option, but no cigar. Any help is
appreciated.

-Mahir

 

Hmm. I tried to recreate this, but couldn't. I guess I was mistaken.

Thanks for the other tips, though. I have been able to constrain pretty
much any component without much trouble using the same procedures, but
there are times when access to the feature tree would be nice.
Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to weed through a bunch of
planes/axes/pts/csys when I already went to the trouble of naming them
something meaningfull. Thanks for the help, though.

-Mahir

 

Regarding your first question, about a configurable option to show the in
situ component's feature tree, no, sorry, there is none. The tree, for
assembly, has never been "context sensitive": it does not and never had
changed based on which is the focus ~ assembly or component being assembled.
It has always displayed just the assembly component tree. I agree that it
ought to display both and in side-by-side windows. And, even if working in a
single assembly window, the the tree should be vertically split between the
assembly's component tree and the component's feature tree while focus
shifts as you switch from assembly to component.

The only thing I can suggest that might ease the pain and disappointment
slightly is the Search function. This will locate features and allow you to
pick them, even if they are hidden or on blanked layers. And it lets you do
this at any level of the assembly, including in the component you are
placing. It's like a very eleborate 'pick from list' that shows you stuff
that's not even visible on the screen, like your specially named datums. And
it doesn't require that you plan 3 steps ahead to make sure your model is
'prepped' for assembly. It's maybe not as handy as the model tree and
picking features from there but it actually started life as the model tree
search function and in 2001, I think it was actually located within the
Settings menu. Based on increasing use of and familiarity with the Search
function, I'd say it's one of the sharper tools in Pro/e. In some cases,
it's the most efficient selection method, in others, it just adds to your
selection repertoire and choice of methods. If you haven't already done so,
make its serious acquaintance. That small effort will pay big dividens.

David Janes

 

Look into Component Interfaces.

 

Alright, I suppose it is what it is. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Just realized a small tidbit. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I
had seen ProE show the feature tree of a component being placed when it
was a component already in the assembly. I couldn't reproduce this at
the time, but now I know why. The feature tree is only shown if you
copy and paste the part. Nothing fantastic, but every little bit helps.

-Mahir

 

The feature tree is only shown if you copy and paste the part.

Yes, it does. Thanks.