AutoDrop Reference

AutoDrop provides advanced tools to place standard components in assemblies.

Access

In the Place from Content Center dialog box:
- Select an AutoDrop enabled Family, and click OK.
- Double-click an AutoDrop enabled family.
From the Browser Bar Favorites drop-down menu, use drag the part to the graphic window, or double-click the selected AutoDrop-enabled family.

AutoDrop Cursor

The cursor shape differs for individual Content Center categories and target geometries. Generally, the cursor shape contains a symbol and a geometry icon.

No target geometry is selected, or the preview size is not updated yet.

Target geometry is selected, and the updated member fits the target geometry.

Target geometry is selected, but the updated member fails to fit the target geometry.

Select a conical hollow face

Used for a countersunk bolt. The target cone angle and the bolt head cone angle must be the same.

Select a shaft cylinder

Used for bearings, washers, retaining rings, and so on.

Select an edge on a shaft

Used for bearings, washers, retaining rings, and so on.

Select an edge in a housing

Used for bearings.

Select a hollow cylindrical face

Used for bolts, pins, bearings, and so on.

Select a hole edge

Used for bolts, nuts, washers, pins, and so on.

Select a tapped cylindrical face

Used for nuts.

Select a normal planar face

Used for nuts, bolts, washers, bearings, pins, and so on. Used as a secondary target after a cylindrical face was selected.

Select a groove edge

Select an inner groove edge

Used for external and internal retaining rings.

If you fully specify the target geometry, AutoDrop updates the preview size (if it was not up-to-date already), and displays AutoDrop toolbar with insertion commands.

Change size

Inserts the part and opens the Part Family dialog box where you can edit the component.

Bolted Connection

Opens the Bolted Connection Generator. Available for supported bolts only.

Apply

Finishes the current insertion, and continues with the given family, so you can insert more sizes. The default size is always the last one dropped.

Done

Inserts the component to the assembly and exits AutoDrop.

Follow Pattern

AutoDrop follows the pattern. If the target geometry is in a circular or rectangular pattern, the option is selected by default.Note: Not available for assembly patterns.

Insert Multiple

Inserts multiple components. Available if AutoDrop identifies several available targets like the selected target. For example, if several coplanar circular edges have the same diameter, the command populates components for all holes.

AutoDrop highlights the targets. A tooltip shows how many components are inserted.

Insert Multiple does not offer targets for insertion that are already occupied (even if the existing components are invisible or suppressed).

Flip

Changes the bearing side used for mating.

Not available if the bearing does not have iMates defined on both sides.