Family Table Structure
Family Tables are essentially spreadsheets, consisting of columns and rows. It is possible for any instance of a Family Table to also have its own Family Table. This enables creation of Family Table trees, also referred to as nested Family Tables.
Family Tables consist of the following three components:
1. The base object (generic object or generic) upon which definitions of all other members (instances) of the family are based.
2. Any attributes that may vary between the instances and the generic: dimension and parameter values, features and assembly components to be table-driven, user-defined feature and pattern table names, geometry tolerance and other types.
3. Names of all family members (instances) created by the table and the corresponding values for each of the table-driven objects.
Each row contains the instance name and corresponding values of the attributes in it; columns are used for attributes.
The column headings include the names of all of the dimensions, parameters, features, members, and groups that were selected for the table. Dimensions are listed by name (for example, d9) with the associated symbol name (if any) on the line below it (for example, depth). Parameters are listed by name. Features are listed by feature number (for example F107) with the associated feature type (for example [cut]) or feature name on the line below it.
The generic model is in the first row in the table. Only modifying the actual CAD part, or suppressing or resuming features, can change the generic’s table entries. You cannot change the generic model by editing its entries in the Family Tables.
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Family Table names are not case-sensitive.
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For each instance, you can define whether a feature, parameter, or assembly name is used in the instance either by indicating whether it is present in the instance (Y or N) or by providing a numeric value (in the case of a dimension). All dimension cells must have a value, either a number or an asterisk (*) which indicates that the generic's value is to be used.
All the family members automatically share all aspects of the generic model that are not included in the Family Table. For example, if the generic model has a parameter called Material with a value Steel, all instances have the same parameter and value.
You can scroll horizontally through a Family Table to see additional information. The Instance Name column remains visible as you scroll.
