Referencing: Use Case 1 (3-D)

Itemising is performed with the same start value, e.g. 10, in each assembly. This is usually the classical use case in mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineering normally works with assembly drawings and also creates a one-level assembly bill of materials (BOM). If a steel engineer works with large constructions, itemising is also frequently carried out within "assemblies", i.e. the use case described here also applies in this case.

With referenced parts, it is not possible to determine uniquely whether the user wants to adjust the part attributes generally - i.e. also the item number and the link to the part masters.

We provide 2 examples below:

The user has fitted the part in different assemblies. The part attributes should not then normally be adjusted, as the specifications for item number, quantity, part master link - e.g. the same referenced part in red, green and blue - can frequently vary.
The user has fitted the same part multiply in one assembly, i.e. the item number is identical in most cases. If, however, an identical part needs to contain additional information for the BOM - e.g. Comment = "Only assemble this particular part on the construction site" - this is done via the part attributes. This means that the user also assigns another item number in order to avoid parts being grouped and to enable the remark to be output in the BOM.

Recommendation for Configuration and Application

In ALG3DPAR.DAT, the entry for

Adjust position (item) number/part attributes when updating files 0:Only sub-parts, 1:Never 2:Main parts and sub-parts

should be set to 0.

This ensures that, when a part is updated, the part attributes of the part itself are not adjusted. If the part has been fitted in other assemblies, the item numbers assigned there are retained, which is usually required in the use case.

If the part to be updated also has sub-parts, the part attributes of the sub-parts are completely adjusted. This is the case, for example, when a referenced assembly is updated.

To adjust specific attributes of identical parts, you can use the Update identical parts function in the Referencing context menu. Once the geometrical update (including the part master link) has taken place, the prompt "Adjust item number and BOM attributes?" is displayed. If you answer Yes to this prompt, all identical parts in the drawing are assigned the attributes of the active part.

The prompt is, however, only displayed if the corresponding entry in ALG3DPAR.DAT is set to "0". Otherwise, adjustment is performed generally or never.