About Modifying Family Tables
There are several points to remember when modifying family members. The generic serves as the template for all instances; all of its features, dimensions, and characteristics are copied each time an instance is activated (though some may be suppressed).
Whenever an instance is regenerated, the system uses the generic to determine the basic parameter values and the status of all features. It then incorporates the changes listed in the Family Table. Any feature or parameter that already exists in an instance can be suppressed, resumed, or modified.
Observe the following rules when you are creating or using Family Tables:
• You can modify any common dimension, in the generic or any instance, even if other members of the family are in use. To modify the dimension, right-click a feature in the Model Tree and click Edit on the shortcut menu. The updated dimensions are propagated to the other family members after the active one is regenerated. The geometry in the other family members is updated after they are regenerated.
• You can modify a table-driven dimension in any instance either by editing the Family Table or double-clicking the table-driven dimension. The CONFIRMATION menu appears. Click Confirm to change the dimension and update the Family Table. In either case, only the particular family member is affected.
• You can add a feature or component to a generic model at any time. It is added as a common feature or component to all family members. If an instance is in use at the time, it is updated after regeneration.
• You can delete a feature or component from the generic model at any time. It is also then deleted from all other family members. If an instance is in use at the time, it is updated when its window becomes active.
• You can add a feature or component to an instance at any time. It is added as an item to the Family Table. It is enabled (resumed) in the particular instance and is suppressed in the generic and in all the other instances.
• You can delete a feature or component from an instance at any time. However, in actuality, you are only suppressing it. If the feature or component was not previously in the Family Table, the system now adds it to the table. It is suppressed in the particular instance and enabled (resumed) in the generic and in all the other instances.
Suppressing or resuming a feature or component in an instance, however, has only a temporary effect and the feature resumes its regular status after the next regeneration. Further, you cannot resume the feature or component of an instance even temporarily if it is suppressed in the Family Table.
You can suppress or resume a feature or component in the generic model at any time. If the feature or component is table-driven, its status in the Family Table is updated immediately. If it is not table-driven, any active instances in session are updated accordingly after regeneration.
• You can add or delete parameters to or from the model from either the generic or an instance. You can also modify or designate common parameters from either the generic or an instance. You can modify a table-driven parameter in the generic or an instance, either by editing the Family Table or using the Type list in the Family Table dialog box. However, only the particular family member and its children are affected.
You can modify any common parameter, in the generic or an instance, through the Type list, even if other members of the family are in session. The updated parameters are propagated to the other family members, and they are all automatically regenerated.
• You can change the name of a feature, datum, dimension, or other items in the generic only. The change is immediately propagated to the other family members in use.
• You can add reference dimensions, geometric tolerances, or surface finish information to any member of the Family Table. All members, including the parent, are updated.
• In most cases, relations for an assembly family instance are copied from the generic model. However, if a generic relation refers to a model that is replaced by a different family member in the assembly instance, the instance relation references the interchanged model.
For example, if the generic assembly BLENDER contains the relation d0:6=d1:5*2, where 5 is the coding symbol of a generic part COVER, and this part is replaced in the assembly instance BLENDER1 by an instance COVER1 (coding symbol 8), the relation for BLENDER1 is d0:6=d1:8*2.
• If you want to customize an instance, you can always create a duplicate part with a different name by choosing Save a Copy from the File menu, and then work on the copy.