Assemblies: Start and Insert Parts

An assembly puts several saved models together in one scene. Making or changing an assembly needs the Pro plan or higher (Pro Plus and Pro Max count). Anyone can view an assembly that was shared with them.

Starting an Assembly

• File, New, Assembly starts an empty one. On a plan without assemblies it tells you "Assemblies are on the Pro plan."
• File, New, Assembly from This Model turns the saved model you have open into the first component. It only shows when a saved model is open.
• Opening a STEP file that holds several components opens it as an assembly too (see the STEP Assemblies page).

While an assembly is open, the Features tab is named Assembly and holds the assembly tools (Insert, Move, Rotate, Mate, Exploded View, Configurations, Bill of Materials and so on). The Model tree opens by itself to list the components.

The Assembly Buttons

While an assembly is open, the Features tab shows assembly buttons in five groups:

• Components: Insert, Move, Rotate
• Mates: Mate, Diagnose
• Patterns: Linear Pattern, Circular Pattern
• Views: Exploded View
• Evaluate: Interference, Clearance, Bill of Materials

Inserting Components

For the full steps and every option see Insert Components.

Click + Insert on the assembly row of the Model tree. You can also right-click the assembly row and choose Insert Components..., or click Insert on the Assembly tab. The Insert Components window has two lists, Open models and My models (with a search box).

• Pick a model, then click in the view to place it. Ctrl-click picks several.
• Place at origin drops the model on the assembly origin. For the first part you can also click the origin marker in the view, or double-click right after placing it.
• The pin keeps the window open, so each click places another copy. Done closes it.
• Graphics preview shows the part following your pointer.
• Rotate before placing has X, Y and Z buttons and a degrees box (90 to begin). Shift-click a button to turn the other way. While placing, Tab turns the part by 90 degrees about the last axis used (Y to begin) and Shift+Tab turns it back.
• Hold Alt while the part follows the pointer to place it with a SmartMate (see the Standard Mates page).

Fix or Float on Insert

The Fix / float component on insert options are Only fix first component (the default), Fix and Float. A fixed component cannot be moved. A floating one can be dragged and is held in place only by mates.

Names and Limits

Each placed part gets an instance name such as Bracket<1>, Bracket<2>. Instance numbers are never reused: if you delete Bracket<1> and insert another, it is Bracket<3> when Bracket<2> exists. An assembly holds up to 500 components (counting everything inside its subassemblies) and 2000 mates.

An assembly that has never been saved stays open only as long as its tab does. See the Saving, Updates and Sharing page to keep it.