Creating Contextual Components

You can define a 3D part as a contextual component.

  1. Create a 3D part.
    A node is added in the tree.
  2. Design the below shape using the commands available in the Generative Wireframe and Surface, and Part Design Essentials apps.


    For more information, see Generative Shape Design User's Guide and Part Design User's Guide.

  3. Save the 3D part.
  4. Define the created 3D part as a contextual component to position it.
    1. From the Compass, click Steel Outfitting Design.
    2. From the Component section of the action bar, click Contextual Definition .
      The Set Up Wizard dialog box appears.
    3. In the Reference box, select the 3D part.
    4. Optional: Under Space Reservation, select a volume other than the geometry of the component.
      Note: This volume is reserved for the component and taken into account during the interference checking.
    5. Click .
  5. Create an engineering template using the created contextual component.
    1. From the Compass, click Engineering Templates.
      The Engineering Template dialog box appears.
    2. Assign a name to your new engineering template and click OK.
      The Components tab appears by default.
    3. From the Engineering Template section of the action bar, click Add Reference to Template Definition to set the Single_HandRail_Holder as a component.
      For more information, see Engineering Templates Capture User's Guide: Adding a Reference to a Template Definition.
    4. From the Engineering Template section of the action bar, click Add Inputs to Template Definition to select InputSurface and InputPoint objects.
      For more information, see Engineering Templates Capture User's Guide: Adding Inputs to a Template Definition.
    5. Select the Inputs tab and then select InputPoint.
    6. Edit the name as InputPoint_Multi
      • Add the “_Multi” string at the end of name to select the multiple inputs while executing Contextual Instantiation command.
      • You can add the “_Multi” string to multiple inputs, but only one of them can be used for multi instantiation.
    7. Save the template.