Assemblies, Parts, and Bodies

Use the Part Browser and the right-click menu options to organize your model into a hierarchy of assemblies, parts, and bodies.

A part assembly is a collection of different parts and/or other assemblies.

A part is an engineering representation of a physical part in the model.

Solid bodies and surface bodies reflect the content within each part. Solid bodies contain a solid, and surface bodies contain a group of surfaces.

In the Part Browser, parts and assemblies are represented by , solid bodies by , and surface bodies by .

Create a New Part

Right-click in empty space in the Part Browser and select Create > Part.
An empty part is added to the model structure.

Rename Parts and Assemblies

  1. Right-click on a part or assembly in the Part Browser and select Rename.
  2. Type a new name then press Enter.

Move Bodies Between Parts

Do one of the following:

  • Right-click on a solid body or a surface body in the Part Browser and select Move to new part.
    A new part containing the select bodies is created.
  • Drag-and-drop bodies into existing parts in the Part Browser.

Split a Part By Bodies

Right-click on a part in the Part Browser and select Split > By bodies.
A new part is created for each body.

Convert Solid Bodies to Surface Bodies

This option is useful if you're required to use surfaces from different solids in order to form a new solid.

Do one of the following:

  • Right-click on an assembly, part, or a solid body in the Part Browser and select Destroy solid topology.
    Right-clicking on a part destroys the solid topology of all its associated bodies; an assembly destroys the solid topology of all its parts.
  • Select a solid in the modeling window then right-click and select Edit > Destroy solid topology.
The solids are split into a collection of surfaces.

Convert Surface Bodies to Solid Bodies

Do one of the following:

  • Right-click on an assembly, part, or a surface body in the Part Browser and select Fix surface bodies.
    Right-clicking on a part fixes the surfaces of all its associated bodies; an assembly fixes the surfaces of all its parts.
  • Select a surface or group of surfaces belonging to a surface body in the modeling window then right-click and select Edit > Fix Surface Body.
Surfaces within the selected surface bodies are fixed by stitching free edges and patching free edge holes. The solid bodies are then constructed out of closed shells.
Note: When you are ready to validate the model, all bodies should be solid bodies.

Change the Color of Parts and Assemblies

  1. Click the color swatch in the column of the Part Browser.
    A color palette displays.
  2. Optional: Change the color scheme using the drop-down menu.
  3. Choose a new color to represent the selected parts or assemblies.
Tip:
  • Click to assign and save custom colors.
  • If multiple parts/assemblies are selected, click to automatically assign unique colors to them.

Delete Empty Parts

Right-click in empty space in the Part Browser and select Delete empty parts.
Parts that don't contain a body are removed from the model.

Delete Empty Assemblies

Right-click in empty space in the Part Browser and select Delete empty assemblies.
Assemblies that don't contain parts are removed from the model.