Hi,
Is there a way to achieve the usage like in configuration feature of SolidWorks?
(It is a feature that allows one object in one file to have different features like length, any hole, extrusion, or material etc for different usages)
I use Blocks, Layer State Manager and partially Named Positions. But none can give any result of usage like a "configuration". While Named Positions of a block do not appear in a file, Layer States do not work also. Instead I use 2 methods:
1) I save my 2nd configuration of an object as a different file and each time I insert it and replace with the 1st block configuration.
2) I save all configurations of the object to different layers in one file, and hide unwanted layers after inserting the block.
Those all increase file/folder size. Also inserting same file into another, with different configurations (using shown/hidden layers) messes up because inserted files' layers have the same name with each other and objects go into the first inserted object's layer.
Is there a more practical way for solution yet? Adopting Named Positions or Layer State Manager to work in Blocks should be ok in my opinion.
Edit (26.01.2012):
I think a new pane called "Block State Manager" (like the one for Layers) would solve it. We will select some blocks and save them with a name. When we turn that Block State on, related blocks will be inserted and the unwanted ones will be removed and purged. Very similar to the layer management, but instead of hiding and showing blocks, it will insert and remove them. This will provide lighter files.
Please see update at the bottom.
First post (10.01.2012):
Hi, Is there a way to achieve the usage like in configuration feature of SolidWorks? (It is a feature that allows one object in one file to have different features like length, any hole, extrusion, or material etc for different usages) I use Blocks, Layer State Manager and partially Named Positions. But none can give any result of usage like a "configuration". While Named Positions of a block do not appear in a file, Layer States do not work also. Instead I use 2 methods: 1) I save my 2nd configuration of an object as a different file and each time I insert it and replace with the 1st block configuration. 2) I save all configurations of the object to different layers in one file, and hide unwanted layers after inserting the block. Those all increase file/folder size. Also inserting same file into another, with different configurations (using shown/hidden layers) messes up because inserted files' layers have the same name with each other and objects go into the first inserted object's layer. Is there a more practical way for solution yet? Adopting Named Positions or Layer State Manager to work in Blocks should be ok in my opinion.
Edit (26.01.2012): I think a new pane called "Block State Manager" (like the one for Layers) would solve it. We will select some blocks and save them with a name. When we turn that Block State on, related blocks will be inserted and the unwanted ones will be removed and purged. Very similar to the layer management, but instead of hiding and showing blocks, it will insert and remove them. This will provide lighter files.