Derived parts

A derived part is a new part that references an existing part to copy bodies and other information such as sketches, work features, and parameters associatively. You can add features to the derived part. When new features are added to the base component or when derived features are edited, the derived part updates with the changes. There are two ways to create a derived part; through a "push" method, or through a "pull" method. This section details the steps to create a derived part using the "pull" method. The Make Part (Part file) command “pushes” a derived part out from the source. You can also use the Derived Component command to insert existing parts into a part file as bodies.

Derived parts have valuable application when you want to control changes to models. You can modify the original model and update all derived parts to incorporate changes automatically.

How do I know which Derive style to use?

Use the following guide to choose the derive style that best suits your needs.

Single solid body merging out seams between planar faces	Use this option to create a single body part file from a multi-body part. Edges between parts or solid bodies that share a planar face are merged.
Solid body keep seams between planar faces	This option merges the selected bodies in a multi-body part into a single body in a part file. The new part retains the edges between different parts or bodies that share a planar face. The resulting part retains the original appearance of the included parts or bodies that share a planar face. Produces the best results for a drawing view because all edges and seams are retained.
Maintain each solid as a solid body	This option is the default for creating a part file from another part file. Use this option to: Create a part from another part file. Create a multi-body part from another multi-body part file.
Body as a work surface (Derived Part only)	Creates a part file in which individual solid bodies are converted to individual surface bodies. The resulting surface bodies cannot participate in the Combine operation or interference checking. A surface body can be used as a Split Tool in the Split command.
When you create a derived part, the derived icon in the browser matches the style option used.

Prepare to derive a part

On the ribbon, click Manage tab Insert panel Derive , and then select the part from which to derive bodies.

To create a single solid body part from the source part, the new part file should not contain any solid bodies prior to the derive operation. To create a multi-body part file, create solid bodies as required and import one or more solid bodies into the part file. You can also choose to include sketch geometry, work features or bodies as surfaces. For inclusion in the new part:

• Only visible, exported 2D or 3D sketches can be selected. The sketch must be unconsumed or shared.
• Only visible, exported work features can be selected.
• Only visible, exported surfaces can be selected.
• Only visible solid bodies can be selected.

Two or more derived part features can be created within a part using the same or different base parts.

When the Show All Objects check box is selected, all derivable objects are listed regardless of their Export status. To hide non-exported objects, turn off the check box.

Derive from a part

If the source is a part file, the default Derive style selection is to maintain each solid as a solid body. If the source part contains multiple solid bodies, you can choose to import the selected bodies as a single body or as multiple bodies. Only visible solid bodies are selectable. If all bodies are visible, no bodies are selected by default.

All features of the selected part are combined into a single feature in the browser of the derived part. By selectively including individual 2D and 3D sketches, work features, and parameters from the base part, you can define individual features from those sketches in the new part.

Derive a work surface instead of a solid from a part

You can use derived work surfaces to define sketch planes, work geometry, and features such as extrude to surface or split. Derived surfaces cannot be used in a Combine operation with a solid body.

To create a derived surface from a part instead of the default derived solid bodies; select Body as Work Surface in the Derived Part dialog box.

Use Derive to insert a component in a part file

You can use the Derive command to insert a part file on disk as new bodies in a part file. A part can be inserted as a single or multiple solid bodies (if the source part contains multiple solid bodies), or as a work surface.

Export objects

Turn on the Show All Objects check box in the dialog boxes to display both exported and non-exported objects in the tree control; an arrow icon identifies the exported objects.

You can mark objects for Export while you edit the base component. On the ribbon, click Manage tab Author panel Export Objects .

Export parameters

When you select Exported Parameters in the Derived Part dialog box, any parameter that was marked for export in the original part file is brought into the new file and can be used to create new geometry.

Note: To mark a parameter for export in a part file, open the Parameters dialog box and click the Export Parameters check box of the parameters to export. Alternatively, click Manage tab Author panel Export Objects .

In the parameters dialog box of the new derived part, exported parameters are grouped in parameters folders. The parameters folder shows the file path and file name of the base body. If there are multiple parameters with the same name, each is incremented to establish a unique name.

How are derived parts used?

One of the common uses of a derived part is to explore design alternatives and manufacturing processes. However, there are many other uses for a derived part. Following are some examples of ways you can use a derived part.

• A casting blank can be machined several different ways.
• A standard length of tubing can be machined in different configurations.
• From a multi-body part, derive one or more parts.
• From a solid, use a derived surface as a layout.
• From a part, derive parameters to use in a new part. You also can use Link Parameters from the Parameters dialog box.
• Derive parameters to use in a new part. You also can use Link Parameters from the Parameters dialog box.

Can a derived part be a different size from the original part?

When creating a derived part, you can scale it larger or smaller than the original part or create a mirror of the original part using any of the origin work planes. You can update the derived part when changes are made to the original part.

Do changes to an original part affect the derived part?

Changes made to the original part are reflected in the derived part after an Update is performed. The derived feature shows in the feature browser to indicate that it must be updated.

Can a derived part be edited?

A derived part can be opened by double-clicking it in the browser, or by right-clicking it in the browser and choosing Open Base Component. The original file is opened and you can make your changes. To reflect your changes, update the file containing the derived part.

You can also edit a derived part by right-clicking it in the browser and choosing Edit Derived Part. Use this option to change the parameters you set when the original derived part was created. Updates are automatically reflected in the current file.

Can a derived part be unlinked from the original part?

You can break the link to the original part if you no longer want to update the derived part. Right-click the derived part in the browser, and then select Break Link. The derived part becomes a regular feature, and its changes are saved only in the current file.

You can suppress the link if you want to disconnect the link temporarily from the source. From the derived feature, right-click and select Suppress Link with Base Component. To reestablish the link, use Unsuppress Link with Base Component.

You can use Select from base on the Derived dialog box and go to the source part to make selections. Then use Accept selection to transfer the selections from the source to the derived file.