Rename configs on the fly

I know that you can't change the name of a config in a part that is open in
an assy, but why not? Sw tells you that you can't rename it because it is
in use. But it is also smart enough that if you rename the part config
without the assy open, then when you open the assy, it will find the correct
config. Sooooo, why can't those features be combined into a useful
opportunity? (Before I ran my mouth here, I just checked with SW2006 SP2.0
to make sure it still wouldn't - nope.)

WT

 

I totally agree -- think about it you can have an assembly open, its
drawing open, & a part open -- A user can do a file save as on the part &
the assembly dynamically points to the new saveas'ed part (no save as
copy) -- you do the same with the assembly & drawing automatically &
dynamically changes to the new filename. This SHOULD be capable with
configs too!

Steve T.

 

Wayne,

I agree with your desire and hope the program will eventually automate
it. (Strides are being made in that direction, for example, since it
used to be that one part could not be used to replace another in an
open assembly if the replacement part was also open in the same session
of SolidWorks.)

There is, however, a workaround for the time being:

1. Open the Assembly and the Component Properties dialog box for the
configured part. (Note: I think it's beneficial to use the "Suspend
Automatic Rebuild" option which is available from the pull-down menu of
the main icon in the Feature Manager.)

2. Set the Referenced Configuration to "Use named configuration" and
then select a configuration other than the one you want to rename.

3. Open the part file and make sure the active configuration is other
than the one to be renamed.

4. Rename the desired inactive configuration and then return to the
assembly where the NEW name will be found when the Component Properties
dialog box is re-opened.

Obviously, you'll need to decide if the steps above are more expedient
than simply closing the assembly, renaming the configuration in the
part file and then calling up the referencing assembly...

BTW, SolidWorks Explorer can NOT rename a part configuration if the
referencing assembly is open in SolidWorks.

Per O. Hoel
_________________

 

Agreed, however sometimes SW still doesn't want to relinquish its hold on a
part, even though you close the assy. Also, if the assy has 10 configs, you
have to make sure that none of the other configs reference that part config.

What I normally do is open that config in the part file, add a new config of
the desired name, go to the assy and change all appropriate references to
the new name config, go back to the part file and delete the old one. Same
basic procedure, just a bit different.

WT

 

+ 1, and the same for Dwgs.

JM