About Power Copies

A power copy is a set of features (geometric elements, formulas, constraints and so forth) that are grouped in order to be used in a different context, and presenting the ability to be completely redefined when pasted. This topic provides you with the information you need to create a power copy.

Power copies capture the design intent and know-how of the designer thus enabling greater reusability and efficiency.

This page discusses:

See Also
Creating Power Copies
Instantiating Power Copies

Power Copy Definition Dialog Box

In this dialog box, you can define a power copy using these options:

Definition:

The Definition tab lets you assign a name to the power copy and presents its components in the 3D viewer. You can enter the name of your choice in the Name box.

Inputs:

The Inputs tab lets you define the reference elements making up the power copy. You can rename these elements for a clearer definition by selecting them in the viewer and entering a new name in the Name box. In parentheses you still can read the default name of elements based on its type.

Parameters:

The Parameters tab allows you to define which of the parameter values used in the power copy you will be able to modify at instantiation time. Double-click the parameters to make them public. The Published Name option is then selected for each of them, indicating that the parameters can be modified at instantiation time.

Properties:

The Properties tab lets you modify the icon identifying the power copy in the tree. A subset of icons is available from the Icon choice button.

Note: Click ... to display all icons loaded on your session.

Grab screen lets you capture an image of the power copy to be stored with its definition. Click the Grab screen button. You can zoom in or out the image to adjust it.

Parameters Insert Object Dialog Box

In this dialog box, you can instantiate a power copy using these options:

Reference:

The Reference box lets you modify the icon identifying the power copy in the tree. A subset of icons is available from the Icon choice button.

Destination:

Destination is composed of a combo list corresponding to the relative position (Inside or After) and a box containing the destination feature.

The destination depends on the current feature as it is automatically filled with the latter. If there is no current feature, the box is empty.

  • When possible, you can modify the default destination, either by modifying the relative position or by selecting another destination feature.
  • The destination is filled with After when the destination is a geometric feature. In this case, the After box is grayed out.
  • The destination is filled with Inside when the destination is a functional set.

Name:

Name specifies the name of the instantiated reference.

Repeat:

Repeat repeats the instantiation. In this case, once you have clicked OK in the Insert Object dialog box, the latter remains open, the inputs to the power copy are listed and ready to be replaced by new inputs.