Family

 

 

Links/Videos:

 

 

This document allows you to define a part or an assembly family by adding codes and the corresponding values.

For example, a screw family will define the possible dimensions for a specific type of screw.

 

Creation stages / Use:

 

Create a new document by clicking the icon, then select the icon from the Advanced tab. it is also possible to create a family document by using the contextual menu from the tab of the part or assembly.

 

  1. If the document is created from the advanced tab, you have to drag from the projects tree, a part or an assembly in this document.

  2. From the generics folder of the entities tree, drag needed parameters and/or properties near the Code column.

 

 

  • By creating the family from the part or assembly tab, this one is directly linked to the family.

  • Parameters and/or properties can also be dragged in the Drivers folder. In this case, the value will be asked when inserting the family in the assembly.

  • Including a family with drivers, according to drivers values the instance can be not valid. Because it is not possible to modify a family instance it could be difficult to understand this invalidity. The command Copy for diagnostic available by right click (Others submenu) on the inclusion operation or on the shape if this one is available allows to copy the instance under the assembly node. This copy is modifiable and allows to analyze the problem.

 

Create as many line as there are codes in this family.

 

  • A line must be completely filled.

  • Each code generates an instance which can been seen under the family, in the projects tree.

  • If a code is used in an assemblage and if this code is deleted, the assembly will become invalid.

 

 

Available Options:

 

 

 

Select column title and then move it on the title line. Release the cursor when a blue echo appears behind another title to insert your selection.

 

 

 

Click on column title to sort it (sort ascending or descending).

 

 

 

A contextual selection on a column title allows to delete it.

 

 

 

A contextual selection on a column title allows to use the Values Unicity command. This option allows to check that each values of the column are different. Cells with same values will be highlighted in red. To deactivate this option, right click again on the title to use Remove Values Unicity.

 

 

 

A contextual selection on a column title or on table cell allows to use the Show Only Invalid Rows command. If the above option was used (Values Unicity) and it gave a result, this command allows to display invalid rows only. To deactivate this option, right click again on the title to use Show All Rows.

 

 

 

Right click on the first cell of a row allows to insert a new row.

 

 

 

Right click on the first cell of a row allows to delete this row.

 

 

 

Right click on the selection cell of a row allows to access to these two commands.

 

 

 

Allows you to open the part or assembly document linked to this family.

 

 

 

Allows you to import a TopSolid v6 exported catalog.

 

 

 

Allows you to update a derived catalog created with the Generic document command.

 

 

 

Allows you to view in the above section, the family instance with its parameters and properties.

 

 

Examples of TopSolid families modification possibilities:

 

 

  • Possibility to add codes to a TopSolid standard component: (equivalent to the TopSolid v6 alternative catalog).

  1. Copy/paste a TopSolid family in your library.

  2. Add needed codes with their corresponding values.

  3. Check in.

 

  • Possibility to add properties to a TopSolid standard component: (equivalent to the TopSolid v6 additional catalog).

  1. Open the TopSolid family.

  2. In the library, create a family.

  3. Drag the TopSolid family generic in this family.

  4. Use the File > Generic document command from the TopSolid button and select the TopSolid family as main family.

  5. Add needed properties/parameters by dragging them from the Generics folder from the entities tree.

  6. Check in.

 

Possibility to use a TopSolid standard component but with another matter:

  1. Copy/paste the TopSolid generic in your library.

  2. Open the part and change the matter.

  3. Use the File > Explicit family document command.