About the Component Placement User Interface
The Component Placement tab consists of commands, tabs, and shortcut menus. Click 
to open the Component Placement tab.
to open the Component Placement tab.Commands
The commands are context-sensitive to the set type and constraint selected.
• 
By Interface—Places a component using an interface.
By Interface—Places a component using an interface.• 
Manual—Places a component manually.
Manual—Places a component manually.◦ User Defined—Creates a user-defined constraint set.
◦ 
Rigid—Allows no movement in the assembly.
Rigid—Allows no movement in the assembly.◦ 
Pin—Contains a rotational movement axis and translation constraints.
Pin—Contains a rotational movement axis and translation constraints.◦ 
Slider—Contains a translational movement axis and rotation constraints.
Slider—Contains a translational movement axis and rotation constraints.◦ 
Cylinder—Contains a 360° rotational movement axis and translational movement.
Cylinder—Contains a 360° rotational movement axis and translational movement.◦ 
Planar—Contains a planar constraint to allow rotation and translation along the reference planes.
Planar—Contains a planar constraint to allow rotation and translation along the reference planes.◦ 
Ball—Contains a point alignment constraint for 360° movement.
Ball—Contains a point alignment constraint for 360° movement.◦ 
Weld—Contains a coordinate system and an offset value to "weld" the component in a fixed position to the assembly.
Weld—Contains a coordinate system and an offset value to "weld" the component in a fixed position to the assembly.◦ 
Bearing—Contains a point alignment constraint to allow rotation along a straight trajectory.
Bearing—Contains a point alignment constraint to allow rotation along a straight trajectory.◦ 
General—Creates a user-defined set of two constraints.
General—Creates a user-defined set of two constraints.◦ 
6DOF—Contains a coordinate system and an offset value, to allow movement in all directions.
6DOF—Contains a coordinate system and an offset value, to allow movement in all directions.◦ 
Gimbal—Contains a coordinate system on the part and a coordinate system in the assembly to allow rotation in all directions about a pivot axis.
Gimbal—Contains a coordinate system on the part and a coordinate system in the assembly to allow rotation in all directions about a pivot axis.◦ 
Slot—Contains a point alignment to allow rotation along a non-straight trajectory.
Slot—Contains a point alignment to allow rotation along a non-straight trajectory.• 
—Changes the orientation of a predefined constraint set.
—Changes the orientation of a predefined constraint set.• 
—Converts a user-defined set to a predefined set or vice versa.
—Converts a user-defined set to a predefined set or vice versa.• Current constraint list—Click the arrow to see the constraints applicable for the selected connection set. When you click a constraint, it appears as selected. When a user-defined set is selected, the default is 
Automatic. For a constraint with an offset, the value box becomes available. Type a number for the offset value.
Automatic. For a constraint with an offset, the value box becomes available. Type a number for the offset value.◦ 
Distance—Offsets the component reference from the assembly reference.
Distance—Offsets the component reference from the assembly reference.◦ 
Angle Offset—Positions the component at an angle to the assembly reference.
Angle Offset—Positions the component at an angle to the assembly reference.◦ 
Parallel—Orients the component reference parallel to the assembly reference.
Parallel—Orients the component reference parallel to the assembly reference.◦ 
Coincident—Positions the components reference coincident with the assembly reference.
Coincident—Positions the components reference coincident with the assembly reference.◦ 
Normal—Positions the component reference normal to the assembly reference.
Normal—Positions the component reference normal to the assembly reference.◦ 
Coplanar—Positions the component reference coplanar to the assembly reference.
Coplanar—Positions the component reference coplanar to the assembly reference.◦ 
Centered—Centers the component reference and the assembly reference.
Centered—Centers the component reference and the assembly reference.◦ 
Tangent—Positions two references of different types so that they face each other. The point of contact is a tangent.
Tangent—Positions two references of different types so that they face each other. The point of contact is a tangent.◦ 
Fix—Fixes the current location of a component that was moved or packaged.
Fix—Fixes the current location of a component that was moved or packaged.◦ 
Default—Aligns the component coordinate system with the default assembly coordinate system.
Default—Aligns the component coordinate system with the default assembly coordinate system.◦ Automatic—Shows available constraints in the list after you choose a reference.
Automatic—Shows available constraints in the list after you choose a reference.• —Flips the direction of an offset.
—Flips the direction of an offset.The following boxes appear when interfaces are configured for the component in the Constraints group:
• Interface to Interface—Matches the component interface to an assembly interface.
• Interface to Geometry—Matches the component interface to assembly geometry.
• Configured Interfaces list—Displays a list of all interfaces configured for the component.
• 
Auto Place button—Click to automatically place the component using defined interfaces.
Auto Place button—Click to automatically place the component using defined interfaces.Move and Display commands:
• 
Display Dragger—Toggles the display of the dragger.
Display Dragger—Toggles the display of the dragger.• 
Separate Window—Displays the component in its own window as you define constraints.
Separate Window—Displays the component in its own window as you define constraints.• 
Main Window (default)—Displays the component in the graphics window and updates component placement as you define constraints.
Main Window (default)—Displays the component in the graphics window and updates component placement as you define constraints.Both window options can be active at the same time.
Status—Displays placement status: No constraints, Not fully constrained, Fully constrained, Connection definition is incomplete.
Tabs
• Placement
Use this tab to enable and display component placement and connection definition. It contains two areas:
◦ Navigation and Collection area—Displays sets and constraints. Translation references and motion axes are displayed for predefined constraint sets. The first constraint in a set activates automatically. A new constraint activates automatically after a valid pair of references is selected, until the component is fully constrained.
◦ Constraint Attributes area—Context-sensitive to the constraint or motion axis selected in the navigation area. The Allow Assumptions check box determines the use of system constraint assumptions.
• Move
Use this tab to move the component being assembled for easier access. When the Move tab is active, all other component placement operations are paused. The following options are available on the Move tab:
◦ Motion Type—Specifies a motion type. The default is Translate.
▪ Orient Mode—Reorients the view.
▪ Translate—Moves the component.
▪ Rotate—Rotates the component.
▪ Adjust—Adjusts the component's position.
◦ Relative in view plane—(default) Moves the component relative to the viewing plane.
◦ Motion Reference—Moves the component relative to a component or reference. This option activates the Motion Reference collector.
◦ Reference collector—Collects references for component motion. Motion is relative to the selected references. A maximum of two references can be collected. Choose a reference to activate the Normal Parallel options.
▪ Normal—Moves the component normal to the selected reference.
▪ Parallel—Moves the component parallel to the selected reference.
◦ Translation/Rotation/Adjust Reference box—Options for component motion for each motion type.
◦ Relative—Displays the component's current position relative to its position before the move operation. For reference only.
• Options
This tab is available only for components with a defined interface.
• Flexibility
This tab is available only for components with defined flexibility. Click the Varied Items option to open the Varied Items dialog box. Component placement pauses when the Varied Items dialog box is open.
• Properties
◦ Name—Displays the component name.
◦ 
—Displays detailed component information in the browser.
—Displays detailed component information in the browser.◦ Backup References check box—Updates the placement of a component during the next regeneration, regardless of whether the parent is present or not.
Shortcut Menus
Right-click in the Placement tab or graphics window to access shortcut menu commands.
Navigation Area Shortcuts
For a selected constraint:
• Disable—Deactivates the selected constraint.
• Enable—Activates the selected constraint.
• Delete—Deletes the selected constraint.
• Retrieve Refs—Retrieves missing references from the master representation when a simplified representation is in session.
For a selected set:
• Disable—Deactivates the entire constraint set.
• Enable—Activates the entire constraint set.
• Delete—Deletes the entire constraint set.
• Save as Interface—Saves the constraint set as an interface.
• Retrieve Refs—Retrieves missing references from the master representation when a simplified representation is in session.
For a selected collector:
• Remove—Removes the selected reference.
• Information—Opens the Information dialog box to display reference information.
Graphics Window Shortcuts
As constraints are defined for a set, they appear in the graphics window. Distance or Angle Offset drag handles and offset values also appear. Use the handle to set the value or double-click the value to edit it.
To define sets and constraints without using the Component tab, right-click in the graphics window. The following commands are on the shortcut menu:
• Both collectors, Select component item, Select assembly item—Provides collectors.
• Move Component—Allows movement of the component being placed.
• Clear—Clears the active collector.
• Disable all constraints—Deactivates all constraints in all sets.
• Enable snapping (default)—Enables snapping to an interface placement option.
• Flip Constraint—Flips the orientation of a component.
• Flip Connection—Reverses the original orientation of all motion axes in the connection.
• New Constraint—Adds a new constraint.
• Default Constraint—Configure a default constraint (only available for the first component in an assembly).
• Fix Constraint—Makes the constraint a fixed constraint.
• Retrieve Refs—Retrieves missing references from the master representation when a simplified representation is in session.
• Add set—Adds a new constraint set.
• Save as Interface—Saves the active constraint set as an interface.
• Convert to Connections—Converts a user-defined set to a predefined set.
• Convert to User Defined—Converts a predefined set to a user-defined set.
• Assumptions—Allows or disallows the application of system rules about constraints.
To set properties for connections, drag the connection to the desired location and right-click it. The following commands are on the shortcut menu:
• Set Regen Value—Sets the regeneration value to the current location of the drag handle.
• Disable Regen Value—Disables the regeneration value.
• Set Maximum Limit—Sets the maximum limit to the current location of the drag handle.
• Disable Maximum Limit—Disables the maximum limit.
• Set Minimum Limit—Sets the minimum limit to the current location of the drag handle.
• Disable Minimum Limit—Disables the minimum limit.
• Flip Connection—Reverses the original orientation of all motion axes in the connection.