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Connect components from a project into a design and share a component for other designs to use.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
5 min.
Tutorial resources
These downloadable resources will be used to complete this tutorial:
Transcript
00:03
There are several ways to connect and share Fusion components for use in other designs.
00:09
You can export a component from a design to a project folder, link a component into a design,
00:14
and break the link to external data, if needed, to enable local editing.
00:19
For this example, open the 80-20 Frame Fusion archive file.
00:24
You also need the T-Slot Bracket archive file.
00:28
Expand the Data Panel, open your project, and then click Upload.
00:34
In the Upload dialog, click Select Files, select the T-Slot Bracket.f3d file, and then click Open.
00:43
Click Upload to upload the part into the project.
00:47
If you find yourself working on similar designs repeatedly, having the components local to the design can add extra work.
00:55
For example, with this design, nearly all the parts on the canvas were imported directly from an online catalog.
01:02
While it is a convenient method, there are times when having a component part of the design is not very convenient.
01:09
If you know that you are going to use a component repeatedly,
01:12
it is good practice to store that component in the project, or in a folder of common files, and then link that component into the design.
01:20
Since you already have the components here, you can use the 90 degree plate that is already in the design.
01:27
in the Browser, find the plate, which is currently named 47065T271, then right-click and select Export.
01:37
In the dialog that opens, you can export a Fusion archive file, or any number of other file formats to a cloud project folder,
01:45
or you can export it to your computer.
01:47
Select Export to a project in the cloud and deselect Export to my computer.
01:54
Make sure that the cloud folder is set to the correct project.
01:58
Depending on your part naming standards, you can keep the part number or rename it to something like “90 Degree Plate”.
02:05
Once all the options are set, click Export.
02:09
At this point, nothing has changed in the design.
02:13
Now, in the Browser, right-click the plate and Delete it.
02:17
In the Data Panel, you see the 90 Degree Plate part in the project.
02:22
Double-click the part to open it.
02:25
Notice that the bodies are local to the component.
02:28
Next, click to open the 80-20 Frame assembly tab.
02:33
In the Data Panel, right-click the plate and select Insert into Current Design.
02:38
Once inserted, you can position it, apply joints, and work with it as if the part were local to the design.
02:44
In the Browser, a link icon indicates that this is external data.
02:49
As an external component, the plate could be used in dozens of designs.
02:54
If you want to reduce its weight, you might consider adding a hole.
02:59
Switch back to the 90 degree Plate tab.
03:02
From the Create group, click the Hole tool, then click the top face of the plate.
03:08
Make the Hole Type a Simple hole and set the diameter to 1.5 inches, then click OK.
03:15
Once the hole is added, be sure to save the design.
03:19
Change back to the Assembly tab and update the design by clicking the Update option in the File menu.
03:26
The new version shows in the project, and any design utilizing this plate will be updated.
03:31
You will see that the hole has been added and the design is up to date.
03:36
Next, in the Data Panel, right-click the T-Slot Bracket and select Insert into Current Design again.
03:43
You can reposition it and reorient it for a rough placement.
03:47
This component will behave just like the 90 degree plate, with this design being updated any time the component is modified.
03:55
However, if you would like to make a modification that is unique to this design, you can break the link to the external file.
04:03
In the Browser, select the T-Slot Bracket, then right-click and select Break Link.
04:10
Notice that you no longer see the link icon.
04:14
Once the link is broken,
04:15
the component becomes local to the design and can be modified without affecting the source file used in other designs.
Video transcript
00:03
There are several ways to connect and share Fusion components for use in other designs.
00:09
You can export a component from a design to a project folder, link a component into a design,
00:14
and break the link to external data, if needed, to enable local editing.
00:19
For this example, open the 80-20 Frame Fusion archive file.
00:24
You also need the T-Slot Bracket archive file.
00:28
Expand the Data Panel, open your project, and then click Upload.
00:34
In the Upload dialog, click Select Files, select the T-Slot Bracket.f3d file, and then click Open.
00:43
Click Upload to upload the part into the project.
00:47
If you find yourself working on similar designs repeatedly, having the components local to the design can add extra work.
00:55
For example, with this design, nearly all the parts on the canvas were imported directly from an online catalog.
01:02
While it is a convenient method, there are times when having a component part of the design is not very convenient.
01:09
If you know that you are going to use a component repeatedly,
01:12
it is good practice to store that component in the project, or in a folder of common files, and then link that component into the design.
01:20
Since you already have the components here, you can use the 90 degree plate that is already in the design.
01:27
in the Browser, find the plate, which is currently named 47065T271, then right-click and select Export.
01:37
In the dialog that opens, you can export a Fusion archive file, or any number of other file formats to a cloud project folder,
01:45
or you can export it to your computer.
01:47
Select Export to a project in the cloud and deselect Export to my computer.
01:54
Make sure that the cloud folder is set to the correct project.
01:58
Depending on your part naming standards, you can keep the part number or rename it to something like “90 Degree Plate”.
02:05
Once all the options are set, click Export.
02:09
At this point, nothing has changed in the design.
02:13
Now, in the Browser, right-click the plate and Delete it.
02:17
In the Data Panel, you see the 90 Degree Plate part in the project.
02:22
Double-click the part to open it.
02:25
Notice that the bodies are local to the component.
02:28
Next, click to open the 80-20 Frame assembly tab.
02:33
In the Data Panel, right-click the plate and select Insert into Current Design.
02:38
Once inserted, you can position it, apply joints, and work with it as if the part were local to the design.
02:44
In the Browser, a link icon indicates that this is external data.
02:49
As an external component, the plate could be used in dozens of designs.
02:54
If you want to reduce its weight, you might consider adding a hole.
02:59
Switch back to the 90 degree Plate tab.
03:02
From the Create group, click the Hole tool, then click the top face of the plate.
03:08
Make the Hole Type a Simple hole and set the diameter to 1.5 inches, then click OK.
03:15
Once the hole is added, be sure to save the design.
03:19
Change back to the Assembly tab and update the design by clicking the Update option in the File menu.
03:26
The new version shows in the project, and any design utilizing this plate will be updated.
03:31
You will see that the hole has been added and the design is up to date.
03:36
Next, in the Data Panel, right-click the T-Slot Bracket and select Insert into Current Design again.
03:43
You can reposition it and reorient it for a rough placement.
03:47
This component will behave just like the 90 degree plate, with this design being updated any time the component is modified.
03:55
However, if you would like to make a modification that is unique to this design, you can break the link to the external file.
04:03
In the Browser, select the T-Slot Bracket, then right-click and select Break Link.
04:10
Notice that you no longer see the link icon.
04:14
Once the link is broken,
04:15
the component becomes local to the design and can be modified without affecting the source file used in other designs.
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