Opinions on In-Context and InPlace Mates (Top-Down Design)

This topic was from an old thread. Im trying to find out more
information on creating "Sketch Part". I want to use the same sketch
in multiple parts. I also want to be able to use these parts in
different assys, so an assembly sketch wont allow me to do this.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group...d3bd2ab4921/560c76f561229d1f#560c76f561229d1f
Please post comments/suggestions.

 

You can embed a part with sketch in another part.

You can also put an envelope part in an assembly to drive other parts.

 

I tried what the person said in the thread above, but since the part
doesnt have an solids, I cant use it for a base part.

I currently have a weldment with 18 parts. Each part is looking at an
assembly sketch. We decided to make smaller versions of the weldment,
so I looked into using the parts in a new assy. This would work, since
they are all looking at the assy sketch on the original assy. I then
decided to make all new parts in the second (smaller) assy, but did a
COPY of the original assy so I can keep the parts looking at the assy
sketch. I then deleted 4 of the parts to make a shorter version of the
weldment. All of the other parts are exactly the same as the parts
from the original weldment, but have different part numbers.

trying to solve this dilemma the past couple of days, and a early
option was to break all relations on the original weldment so I could
use the same parts in the new weldment assy. This would also delete my
"design intent", since its in the assy sketch.

What do most people do in my situation? Is it good/bad practice to use
like parts in multiple weldments? Im curious to see if some companies
do this.

Please post comments/suggestions.