Creating a Generic Model

This task shows you how to create a generic model that is used to create a component family. When creating a family, you are requested to provide a model and a table of parametric modifications applied to the model. A preliminary search of tables is performed. If several tables exist in the model, you must choose the one that defines the family. The model can be a part (defined by a Product Reference aggregating one or several Representation instances), or an assembly. The generic model must contain all objects/relations needed to update it after applying parametric modifications for a given row in the table. After selecting the model and the table, all family items are generated (each row of the table defines a family item). Those items are initially not resolved models. Bear in mind that family items are not parts or assemblies but just objects that represent final (resolved) models.

Warning: The deletion/replacement of the design table of a generic model is not supported.

Before you begin: You must have saved a product containing a table in database.
See Also
Creating a Table
Managing Component Family Modifications
Using the Maturity Change Mode
Changing the Maturity of the Generic Model
Changing the Maturity of Resolved Models
  1. From the Compass, click 3D Modeling Apps and select Component Family Definition.
  2. Create the generic model. To do so, do the following:
    1. In the Component Family tab, enter the name of the family in the Title box.
    2. Click the Component Family Model tab
      In the Component Family Model tab, you can now decide to create a Standard Family or a Design Family:
      • Standard Family: A family type ensuring that all items are generated with the same generic model iteration. The generic model maturity must be specified to a target state (customizable) that guarantees that this model cannot be modified any longer. Use Change maturity of Generic Model to change the model maturity. The family evolution cannot use the current revision of the generic model. It must use a new revision of the generic model. This mode is adapted to standard components and families that seldom change.
      • Design Family: A family type that lets you apply modifications to the family without using other revisions. You can generate a first item. Then modify the generic model table (add an element, or modify an existing row), then apply the modifications to the family and generate another element. You can also modify the generic model at any time. Consistency between different items of the family is not guaranteed. Generic model modifications (including table modifications) can be propagated to the family with an impact control using the Manage Component Family modifications command: The models whose table row was modified become obsolete as well as the generated models.
      Important: If a root product containing a design table or a product table is loaded in session, this product appears in the Generic Model box of the Component Family Model tab and the design or the product table name appears in the Table box.
  3. Click Choose the generic model of the component family in the Generic Model box to select the model you want to use.
  4. Enter the name of the model in the Search box and click .
  5. Select the model from the list and click OK.
  6. Select the table from the Table list.
  7. Select the maturity from the Maturity management list.
    The Maturity Management box allows you to specify the behavior of the resolution mechanism for the family item regarding maturity changes:
    • If defined as Automatic Change, the maturity of the resolved items is modified during resolution.
    • If defined as Manual Change, the maturity of the resolved items is the default one, but it can be modified using the Change Maturity of Resolved Models command .
    Note: The resolution is the generation of components corresponding to the family item.
  8. Click OK.
    The Component Family editor opens.

Notes:
  • Once in the Component Family editor, the Maturity Change mode enables you to switch between an Automatic or a Manual mode at any time and not only when creating a Component Family. To change the maturity mode, right-click or double-click the maturity mode in the tree and modify the maturity change in the Change Maturity Mode dialog box.
  • You can also modify the family type. To do so, right-click or double-click the family type in the tree and modify it in the Change Family Type dialog box.