Simplify Large Assemblies

A large assembly may contain hundreds of parts and subassemblies.

The following are the available methods for simplifying assembly parts and subassemblies:

  • Using a mock-up
  • Hiding from geometry

  • Hide the subassembly assembly structure.

Benefits of Simplification

Simplifying a large assembly has the following effects:

  • Improved system performance, reduced assembly update time. Subassembly is replaced by a single part and label in the assembly tree.
  • In pre-planning, you can make space reservations by creating main assemblies comprising mock-ups and only then begin modeling the components.
  • You can create a view of the assembly where certain parts are visible and others are hidden.
  • Faster update of the drawing.

What is a Mock-up?

The mock-up is the simplified part that depicts the original part or the assembly in the higher-level assembly.

The mock-up is saved in the original model. Either the original model or its mock-up can be visible in a higher-level assembly, not both.

Mock-up is the most effective of the methods, as it retains its association with the original model. Geometric constraints added to the original model in an assembly are retained, although the model is replaced with a mock-up. You can add dimensions to mock-ups in the assembly drawings.

When should you avoid using mock-ups?

Avoid using a mock-up in the following cases:

  • When the designing of subassemblies is unfinished or under work.
  • When parts belonging to the subassembly are changed often and the relations between parts edited.
  • When drawings are made of the model. Instead of mock-ups, it is more sensible to create different configurations for the parts, because dimensions are associated to the model even if the configuration changes. The section projection created from a mock-up is inaccurate. It do not correspond a section projection made of the original model.
  • It is preferable to create a configuration of a part model by hiding features unless the part model is imported to the system and therefore has no feature history.
  • When you want to collect roll-out parts lists or perform weight calculations.