To Place a Component
1. In an open assembly, click
. The
Open dialog box opens.
2. Select the component to be placed and click Open. The Component Placement tab opens with the selected component in the graphics window. A component can also be selected from the browser and dragged into the graphics window.
3. Click
to display the component in a separate window, or click
to display the component in the graphics window (default). Both options can be active at the same time and can be changed at will.
4. Use the dragger to position or to move the component until it snaps to an interface placement option.
5. Click
to disable the dragger.
6. Select a constraint set type, User Defined is the default to configure a user-defined set. Select a predefined set type to define a connection and select component references for each constraint.
7. If you selected a predefined set, its constraints appear automatically in the constraint list. If you selected User-Defined, Automatic is selected by default. Select a reference on the component and a reference on the assembly, in any order, to define a placement constraint. When a pair of valid references is selected an appropriate constraint type is automatically selected. You can also open the Placement tab. Choose a constraint type from the Constraint Type list. (Display the list by clicking Automatic or the adjacent arrow), and then select references.
8. Once a constraint in a user-defined set has been defined, a new constraint is automatically activated, until the component is fully constrained. You can define additional (up to 50) constraints by clicking New Constraint in the Placement tab or right-click in the graphics window and choose New Constraint from the shortcut menu. Each constraint is listed in the Constraints area as it is defined. The component's current status appears in the STATUS area.
Press and hold CTRL to reactivate the current constraint. Click a reference (component or assembly) in the graphics window to deselect it, and then select a new reference. Release CTRL to activate the next constraint.
9. Constraints in user-defined sets can be selected and edited. You can change the references or constraint type.
10. To delete a constraint, right-click and select Delete from the shortcut menu.
11. To configure another constraint set, click New Set. The previously configured set collapses and a new set appears with the first constraint displayed. Choose a predefined set type or configure a user-defined set.
12. Click
when component status is
Fully Constrained,
Partially Constrained, or
No Constraints. The system places the component with the current constraints. A component cannot be placed in the assembly if the status is
Constraints Invalid. You must complete the constraint definition first.
A component can be left as Packaged with incomplete constraints. A Packaged component is one that is included in the assembly but is not fully constrained. Most predefined constraint sets leave components packaged. This allows the required movement of the component in the assembly. Packaged components follow the configuration file option package_constraints behavior.
Remove or add additional constraints to resolve conflicts. Clear the Constraint Enabled or Set Enabled check box to disable a constraint or a set.
System constraint orientation assumptions are enabled by default. Clear the Allow Assumptions check box to disable system placement assumptions.