Subassemblies

A subassembly is a saved assembly used as one component inside another assembly. Use it to keep a big build tidy, or to reuse a group of parts such as a hinge set or a motor mount. Assemblies need the Pro plan.

What you get: a subassembly row such as Subassembly1<1> in the Model tree that holds the parts you picked, saved in your account as an assembly of its own, rigid to begin with.

When to Use It

• Place a whole saved assembly into a bigger one
• Group parts you already placed into one unit
• Make a unit rigid so it moves as one piece, or flexible so its parts can still move inside it

Step by Step: Place a Saved Assembly

1. Open an assembly and click + Insert on the assembly row of the Model tree (see Insert Components).
2. Find the saved assembly in My models. It shows an assembly icon and the word assembly under its name.
3. Click it, then click in the view to place it. It is rigid to begin with.

Step by Step: Form a Subassembly from Parts You Placed

1. In the Model tree, click a component, then Ctrl-click or Shift-click more rows to pick several. Only rows directly in this assembly count.
2. Right-click one of the picked rows and choose Form New Subassembly... The menu shows how many are picked, for example "(2 picked)".
3. Type a name in the box (it starts as Subassembly1) and click Form. The question reads "Name the new assembly. It is saved in your account, and the N picked components are replaced by it here."
4. A message says, for example, "Formed Subassembly1<1> from 2 components. It is also saved in your account." When mates moved into it, it also says how many. The picked rows are replaced by one row, Subassembly1<1>, marked rigid.

Mates between the picked parts move inside the new subassembly. Mates that tie a picked part to something outside stay in the main assembly. The parts don't move.

The Subassembly Menu

Right-click a subassembly row in the Model tree for:

Open a subassembly row in the tree to see its parts. A Mates folder inside it lists the mates saved in it. To change those, use Open Assembly.

Tips

• A subassembly is linked. When the saved original changes, the assembly offers an update (see Assemblies: Saving, Updates and Sharing).
• If the original is deleted, the subassembly stays as a (frozen copy) with a lock icon.
• Parts inside a subassembly can't be deleted one by one from the outer assembly. Open the assembly, or dissolve the subassembly.
• The Bill of Materials can show a subassembly as one row or open it up. See Bill of Materials.

Common Mistakes and Messages

• "An assembly cannot contain itself, not even through another assembly." Pick a different assembly.
• "Subassemblies can be nested up to 8 levels deep."
• "An assembly can hold up to 500 components, counting everything inside its subassemblies."
• "Pick the components for the new subassembly in the Model tree first." Click rows in the tree before you choose Form New Subassembly.
• "... is inside a subassembly. Pick components of this assembly itself." Form only works on rows directly in this assembly.
• "Only a subassembly directly in this assembly can be dissolved."
• "The new assembly could not be saved." Forming saves a new assembly to your account. Check you are signed in and try again.
• "This assembly is shared with you to view only." A shared assembly can't be changed.

Related

• Assemblies: Subassemblies and Patterns
• Insert Components
• Mates: Standard Mates
• Assemblies: STEP Assemblies