Display a reference set at all assembly levels

This example shows how the Apply to All Assembly Levels option works with subassembly reference sets to provide different display options for an assembly.

In the following figure, a simple vise assembly is shown as it is saved, with the Entire Part condition displayed for every component.

The assembly contains four subassemblies and some piece parts.

As the example begins, the subassemblies do not have any defined reference sets.

	Handle
	Piece parts
	Moving jaw, including handle
	Fixed jaw
	Guide

1. Open the assembly with the Model reference set displayed for every part that has it, and the Entire Part display condition for other parts.

   1. Choose File tab→Open.

   2. In the Open dialog box, click Options.

   3. In the Assembly Load Options dialog box, in the Reference Sets group, arrange the list with Use Model at the top, and Entire Part second.

   4. Click OK.

   5. In the Open dialog box, select the vise assembly part and click OK.

   The assembly is opened with every Model reference set displayed.

   

2. Define a Model reference set in the handle subassembly, and in that reference set, use a simplified body to replace the detailed thread in the screw.

   The Model reference set for the screw component has a detailed thread feature.

   

   It is possible to have so much small detail in components that your display regeneration time is affected.

   The screw part has three references sets, as shown in the following figure.

   	Model
   	Simplified
   	Symbolic

   You can create similar reference sets in any part by constructing whatever geometry you require.

   1. With the handle subassembly as the displayed part, display the Model reference set for all components.

   2. Change the reference set of the screw to its SIMPLIFIED reference set.

      

   3. If necessary, create a Model reference set in the handle subassembly.

   4. Edit the Model to contain all of the components in their current condition.

      When you add a component to a reference set in an assembly, the assembly level reference set records the reference set that the component is displaying.

      If the components are already selected, deselect all components and then select them again with their currently displayed reference set.

   5. In the Reference Sets dialog box, from the list, select Model and click Information.

      The Information window should show that for the Model reference set, all components except the screw are displayed with their Model reference sets. The screw is displaying its SIMPLIFIED reference set.

      If the components are not displaying the reference sets described, remove the incorrectly displayed components from the reference set, display the reference sets you want for those components, and add the components to the reference set again.

   6. Save the handle subassembly, and close all parts.

3. Open the vise assembly to display the Model reference set you created in the handle subassembly, with a simplified display of the screw.

   You can use the same steps as you used to open the assembly initially, except this time, in the Assembly Load Options dialog box, you must clear the Apply to All Assembly Levels check box.

   The assembly shows the model reference set for all components except the screw.

   

   This happens for the following reasons:

   • The handle subassembly has a model reference set that includes the simplified reference set of the screw and the model reference set of the other piece parts.

   • The Apply to All Assembly Levels check box is clear, so the search for reference sets ends at the handle subassembly. The handle subassembly is opened displaying the model reference set that you defined.

   • The other subassemblies do not contain a model reference set, so they are loaded displaying their Entire Part reference sets. The Entire Part is only a display condition, not a true reference set, so the search for model reference sets continues to the subassembly piece parts.

   To open the assembly as it is now saved, and to display the Model reference set for all piece parts, select the Apply to All Assembly Levels check box. Although the subassembly Model reference set is found, each piece part is checked and, if it has a Model reference set, the Model reference set is displayed.

4. Define a Drawing reference set in the handle subassembly.

   The Model reference set with its detail thread is too complicated for most drawing requirements, and the SIMPLIFIED reference set does not show the threads.

   A drawing reference set typically includes simplified geometry, special symbols, silhouettes, or any other geometry that renders your drawing clearly and permits fast view display and update.

   1. With the handle subassembly as the displayed part, display the model reference set for all components except the screw.

   2. For the screw, display the SYMBOLIC reference set.

   3. Define a DRAWING reference set, and add all of the components with their currently displayed reference sets.

   4. Save the subassembly and close all parts.

5. Open the assembly with the DRAWING reference set at the top of the hierarchal list.

   1. In the Assembly Load Options dialog box, in the Reference Sets group, arrange the list with DRAWING at the top, Use Model second, and Entire Part third.

   2. If necessary, clear the Apply to All Assembly Levels check box.

   The assembly again shows the model reference set for all components except the screw. The screw is displayed with its SYMBOLIC reference set.

   

   This happens for the following reasons:

   • The handle subassembly has a DRAWING reference set that includes the SYMBOLIC reference set of the screw and the model reference set of the other piece parts.

   • The Apply to All Assembly Levels check box is clear, so the search for reference sets ends at the handle subassembly. The handle subassembly is opened displaying the DRAWING reference set that you defined.

   • The other subassemblies do not contain any reference set, so they are loaded displaying their Entire Part reference sets. The Entire Part is only a display condition, not a true reference set, so the search for reference sets continues to the subassembly piece parts.

   • None of the piece parts has a DRAWING reference set, but they all have a Model reference set.