About Symbolic Representations
Symbolic representations are not represented as solid models but as symbols in the assembly. Symbolic representations contain minimal geometry which improves system performance time. However, you can apply mass properties to symbolic simplified representations.
You can assemble a symbolic representation in an assembly using the Open Rep dialog box. An example of using a symbolic representation would be fasteners in an assembly. Usually, descriptive symbols with parameter information identify the components in a drawing. Symbolic representations can retain parameters, relations, mass properties, Family Table information, and they appear in the Bill of Materials (BOM).