The Content Editor gives you the ability to exit the editing environment temporarily and test the part/feature you are editing.
As soon as you click the Test button on the ribbon, AutoCAD Mechanical toolset displays the test environment and inserts the part/feature at 0,0. If the part/feature has been set up for multiple sizes, AutoCAD Mechanical toolset displays the size selection dialog box before inserting it. If the part/feature is set up for drag-resize, it prompts you to drag to specify the size.
The test environment is a clean copy of model space. The Insert button on the ribbon, lets you insert multiple copies of the part/feature you are editing into the test environment. You can perform any operation that you would typically perform on a part/feature that you insert in a drawing. Typically you verify if
- The part inserts as expected.
For example, does the Size Selection dialog box contain the correct parameters? Does drag resize work as expected?
- The general appearance of the part is as expected.
- The line properties change when layer properties are changed.
- Only the appropriate objects are shown as hidden edges when placed in a hide situation.
- The BOM updates correctly and descriptions are correct.
- AMPOWERVIEW works as expected.
- Geometries marked for arraying, copy themselves correctly.
- Areas marked for hatching fill with the appropriate hatch pattern.
We recommend that you test the part/feature you are editing at every stage. If you have changed the Family Table, we recommend that you save the changes before you start testing.
Once you finish testing, click the Close button on the ribbon to return to the Content Editor.