Modeling In Context

Editing a Part Studio within the context of an Assembly is initiated from the Assembly:

1. In an Assembly, insert parts from one or more Part Studios and position them as desired by adding Mates and relations, or by using the triad manipulator.
2. From the Instances list or graphics area, right-click on a part you want to edit (called the primary instance) and:
   1. If this part has no associated Contexts, Select Edit in context.
   2. If this part already has one or more associated Contexts, select an existing context or select Create new context from the Edit in context submenu:

      

3. The Part Studio containing that part opens. The assembled parts are visualized in the Part Studio (ghosted) around the primary instance in the same spacial relationship as in the Assembly. In addition, all parts originally in the Part Studio are opaquely displayed, in the same position as they were when created.

   

4. As you edit, selecting a reference point on another part of the assembly (other than the primary instance) does the following:
   1. An Assembly context (snapshot) is created.
   2. All the geometry and positions of the components is captured in the Assembly (and the information is stored in the Assembly context snapshot).
   3. If this is the first Assembly context created in this Part Studio, the Assembly contexts list is created above the Features list in the Part Studio (where the snapshot is located). Otherwise, the current context is added to this Assembly contexts list.

For example, if you rotate the primary instance around the axis of a ghosted part from the Assembly, when the ghosted part's axis is selected, it acts as the reference point for the context, and a new Assembly context is created.

You are able to use as many reference points as needed (selected reference points are highlighted in purple). These references are never lost or broken, so your parts never fail.

5. Make edits as desired, referencing faces, edges, or parts of the Assembly as needed. (Note that nothing automatically updates, you can manually update your Part Studio or Assembly when you want, see Update context, below.)

   You can also create multiple Contexts of the same Assembly in various articulated positions and update a Context, manually, in the Part Studio or Assembly if desired. You can also switch between them and rename them.



1	List of Context objects in this Part Studio
2	Button to return to the Assembly (Go to assembly); use the slider to increase or decrease the opacity of the parts shown in transparency
3	Ghosted parts involved in the Assembly, at the time Edit in context was initiated
4	Newly created Feature (Transform) referencing the line of the assembled parts (shown in both the graphics area and the Features list)
5	Opaque parts originally created in this Part Studio; in the position they were created
6	Reference line from the ghosted part used for the Transform feature

6. When finished editing, navigate back to the Assembly, in any of the following ways:
   1. Click Go to assembly at the top of the graphics area.
   2. Select the Assembly tab at the bottom of the window.
   3. Right-click in the empty space and select Go to assembly.

Edits are now visible in the Assembly.

The shears and handles shown in Main Assembly are defined in separate Part Studios. Notice that the blade and limit plate do not meet:

To ensure that the limit plate and blade meet, select the limit plate (the part to edit), right-click and select Edit in context to open the Part Studio in which the limit plate was created, visualized with the assembly:

Extrude up to face, using the blade as a reference point for the Extrude feature:

Return to the Assembly (click Go to assembly) and see the edits there.

If the design intent was clear at the outset, all the parts could have been designed in a single Part Studio. This example assumes the assembly had already been built with parts from different Part Studios, so Edit in context is the best option.

You have the ability to create a new Part Studio using the present Context of the Assembly with the Create Part Studio in Context Assembly tool.

• You are able to turn off a Context to make unrelated edits at any time by selecting None in the Assembly contexts list above the Feature list.
• Parts created without referencing the part being edited in-context are not automatically inserted into the Assembly.
• Best practice is to rename a Context immediately with a meaningful name; many Context objects can be created for a single Part Studio.
• Edit in context and select an existing Context when:
  • You need to add additional geometric relationships
  • You need to edit existing geometric relationships

  To edit in context and select an existing Context: open the context menu, select the name of the existing Context you wish to edit and select "Edit in context."

  

• If there are multiple contexts, when a context is selected from the Assembly contexts dropdown at the top left, the features associated with the context are indicated by the in-context arrow icon highlighted in yellow. In the example below, when Context 1 is selected from the dropdown, the Extrude 2 feature's arrow icon is highlighted yellow, indicating it is associated with this context. When Context 2 is selected from the dropdown, the Extrude 3 feature's arrow icon is highlighted yellow.

  

• To change the configuration of context instances, open the context menu, and select Change configuration (shown in the first image below). This opens the Change configurations dialog, where you can change the configuration of the context instance set in the Assembly tab (shown in the second image below). To confirm the changes, press the enter key. A blue bubble message will appear stating the confirmed changes to the context configuration (shown in the third image below):

  

• To hide or show context instances, open the context menu, and select Hide/show context instances (shown in the first image below). This opens the Hide/show context instances dialog, where you can filter the Assembly instances and toggle their visibility with the eye icon (shown in the second image below):

  

  You can also Hide/show and select Mate connectors in context.

• To hide one or more context instances from the Part Studio, select the instances you want to hide in the graphics area, then right-click and select Hide context instance(s) in the context menu (see the first image below). Click Restore context view state on the context menu to restore the context view back to its original visibility (shown in the second image below):

  

Once you have created a Context, you can make changes either in the Part Studio or in the Assembly and choose to update that Context in the Part Studio if you wish. This enables you to work in a Context in the Part Studio and not affect your Assembly unless you want to update your Assembly with the changes. The same is true for changing the Context from within an Assembly. You can make changes to the Assembly, then switch to the Part Studio and update the Context there to view the changes if you wish. Updates are never applied automatically.

To update a Context in an Assembly: Select the part edited in context, right-click and select Update context. Then, select the context you want to update:

To update a Context in a Part Studio: Select the Context in the Assembly context list, click and then Update context:

Part Studio contexts require at least one part of the Part Studio to be inserted in the Assembly that the context is referring to, and this Part needs to be set as Primary instance of the context.

Update Notification

While in the context, if a change is made to a feature on which the context is based, a filled blue circle icon appears next to the Assembly contexts label at the top left, and any context in the dropdown menu (shown in the first image below). For example, if an extrude is applied to a part prior to, and on which the context relied, you will see the icon. In the Assembly, this icon is visible next to the in-context part and any subfolder to which it belongs, along with a tooltip to indicate the update is available and for which contexts (shown in the second image below). If there are more than three contexts, the tooltip indicates the first two contexts with "and more" as a suffix.

Example

The original Context below was created with a straight purple blade:

The blade was then edited to have a curved edge:

In the Assembly, select Update context (of the limit plate) to update the shears with the curved blade. Since the limit plate was extruded up to the face of the blade, when updated, the limit plate is recalculated up the face of the new, curved blade:

Since it's possible to have multiple Contexts in one Part Studio, this example shows a Part Studio with two Contexts: one that references a ball valve in the closed position, and another that references the ball valve in the open position. A stop is modeled in each Context, so the final design has a stop for the open position and the closed position.

In the Part Studio, the ball valve in the closed position, in context:

In the Part Studio, the ball valve in the open position, in context:

The final design of the stop mechanism in the Part Studio:

Set primary instance

The primary instance is created when you edit a part in context and is indicated by a solid arrow beside the feature in the Feature list (in the Part Studio) and beside the part in the Instance list (in the Assembly). The primary instance defines the anchor part (the part selected for the Edit in context command) for the placement of the ghosted assembly in the Part Studio; all other assembly components appear in the Part Studio in relationship to that primary instance.

You have the ability to change the primary instance of a Context at any time and may wish to do so especially in the case of a broken or missing primary instance:

1. In the Assembly, select a part.
2. Right-click to access the menu, and select <context name> > Set as primary instance.

The new primary instance is marked with a solid arrow in the Parts list, and the previous primary instance (if present) is marked with a dashed arrow .

Rename Context

Context objects are given a default name when they are created. To avoid confusion, rename each Context with meaningful names as it is created.

In the Part Studio that contains the Context object:

1. In the Assembly Contexts list (located above the Feature list), select the Context from the dropdown.
2. Click the that becomes active when the Context name is selected.
3. Select Rename.
4. Type a new name and press Enter or click .

Selecting a workspace to edit

When working in one workspace and inserting a part from a version, when you select to Edit in context, the Select a workspace to edit dialog opens (since you cannot edit the part in an immutable version). This allows you to select the specific workspace in which to edit the part:

In the dialog, select the specific workspace (Main or B2, in this case) in which to edit in context.

Exit edit in context

Use this command when you want to end an edit in context session and return to the Part Studio without a Context and without creating a Context object.

While editing In-Context in the Part Studio:

Right-click either in the white graphics area, or on the part being edited and select Exit context or click the X in the gold banner at the top of the graphics area:

In the Assembly, select Edit in context from the context menu of the part you want to edit. The Part Studio containing that part opens. The assembled parts are visualized in the Part Studio (ghosted) around the primary instance in the same spacial relationship as in the Assembly. In addition, all parts originally in the Part Studio are displayed, opaque, placed as they were created.

For example, the shears and handle shown below are defined in separate Part Studios. Notice that the blade and limit plate do not meet:

To ensure that the limit plate and blade meet, select the limit plate (the part to edit), open the context menu and select Edit in context to open the Part Studio in which the limit plate was created, visualized with the assembly:

Extrude up to face, using the blade as a reference point for the Extrude feature. Return to the Assembly (tap Go to assembly) and see the edits there.

If the design intent was clear at the outset, all the parts could have been designed in a single Part Studio. This example assume the assembly had already been built with parts from different Part Studios, so Edit in context is the best option.

Edit a Part Studio within the context of an Assembly:

1. In an Assembly, insert parts and position them as desired by adding Mates and relations, or by using the triad manipulator.
2. Double-tap on a part to use as the reference point (primary instance) and select Edit in context from the context menu.

   The Part Studio containing the selected part opens with the entire Assembly visualized in a ghosted state.

3. Make edits as desired, referencing faces, edges, or parts of the Assembly as needed. (Note that nothing automatically updates, you are able to manually update your Part Studio or Assembly when you want, see Update context, below.)

   Select a reference point on another part in the Assembly (aside from the primary instance) creates a Context object above the Feature list.  You are able to use as many reference points as needed. (Selected reference points are highlighted in purple.)

   Be aware that you are able to repeat these steps and create many Contexts of an Assembly in the same Part Studio as well as switch between them, so be sure the rename the Context with a meaningful name.

4. When finished editing, navigate back to the Assembly, in any of the following ways:
   1. Tap Go to assembly at the top of the Graphics area.
   2. Select the Assembly tab at the bottom of the window

Note the edits are visible in the Assembly.

Once you have created a Context, you are able to make changes either in the Part Studio or in the Assembly and choose to update that Context in the Part Studio if you wish. This enables you to work in a Context in the Part Studio and not affect your Assembly unless you want to update your Assembly with the changes. The same is true for changing the Context from within an Assembly. You have the ability to make changes to the Assembly, then switch to the Part Studio and update the Context there to view the changes if you wish. Updates are never applied automatically.

To update a Context in an Assembly: Select the part edited in context, access the context menu and select Update context.

To update a Context in a Part Studio: Select the Context in the Assembly Context list, tap the horizontal-dot menu and select Update context.

Set primary instance

The primary instance is created when you edit a part in-context and is indicated by a solid arrow beside the feature in the Feature list (in the Part Studio) and beside the part in the Instance list (in the Assembly). The primary instance defines the anchor part (the part selected for the Edit in context command) for the placement of the ghosted assembly in the Part Studio; all other assembly components appear in the Part Studio in relationship to that primary instance.

You have the ability to change the primary instance of a Context at any time and may wish to do so especially in the case of a broken or missing primary instance:

1. In the Assembly, select a part.
2. Open the context menu and select the Context and then Set as primary instance.

The new primary instance is marked with a solid arrow in the Parts list, and the previous primary instance (if present) is marked with a dashed arrow.

Rename Context

Context objects are given a default name when they are created. To avoid confusion, rename each Context with meaningful names as it is created.

In the Part Studio that contains the Context object:

1. In the Assembly Contexts list (located above the Feature list), select the Context from the dropdown.
2. Tap the vertical-dot menu that becomes active when the Context name is selected.
3. Select Rename.
4. Type a new name and tap the checkmark.

Exit edit in context

Use this command when you want to end an edit in context session and return to the Part Studio without a Context and without creating a Context object.

While editing in context in the Part Studio:

Tap the x in the gold banner at the top of the graphics area.

Selecting a workspace to edit

When working in one workspace and inserting a part from a version, when you select to Edit in context, the Select a workspace to edit dialog opens (since you are not able to edit the part in an immutable version). This allows you to select the specific workspace in which to edit the part.

In the Assembly, select Edit in context from the context menu of the part you want to edit. The Part Studio containing that part opens. The assembled parts are visualized in the Part Studio (ghosted) around the primary instance in the same spacial relationship as in the Assembly. In addition, all parts originally in the Part Studio are displayed, opaque, placed as they were created.

For example, the shears and handle shown below are defined in separate Part Studios. Notice that the blade and limit plate do not meet:

To ensure that the limit plate and blade meet, select the limit plate (the part to edit), open the context menu and select Edit in context to open the Part Studio in which the limit plate was created, visualized with the assembly:

Extrude up to face, using the blade as a reference point for the Extrude feature. Return to the Assembly (tap Go to assembly) and see the edits there.

If the design intent was clear at the outset, all the parts could have been designed in a single Part Studio. This example assume the assembly had already been built with parts from different Part Studios, so Edit in context is the best option.

Edit a Part Studio within the context of an Assembly:

1. In an Assembly, insert parts and position them as desired by adding Mates and relations, or by using the triad manipulator.
2. Double-tap on a part to use as the reference point (primary instance) and select Edit in context from the context menu.

   The Part Studio containing the selected part opens with the entire Assembly visualized in a ghosted state.

3. Make edits as desired, referencing faces, edges, or parts of the Assembly as needed. (Note that nothing automatically updates, you are able to manually update your Part Studio or Assembly when you want, see Update context, below.)

   Select a reference point on another part in the Assembly (aside from the primary instance) creates a Context object above the Feature list.  You are able to use as many reference points as needed. (Selected reference points are highlighted in purple.)

   Be aware that you are able to repeat these steps and create many Contexts of an Assembly in the same Part Studio as well as switch between them, so be sure to rename the Context with a meaningful name.

4. When finished editing, navigate back to the Assembly, in any of the following ways:
   1. Tap Go to assembly at the top of the Graphics area.
   2. Select the Assembly tab at the bottom of the window

Note the edits are visible in the Assembly.

Once you have created a Context, you are able to make changes either in the Part Studio or in the Assembly and choose to update that Context in the Part Studio if you wish. This enables you to work in a Context in the Part Studio and not affect your Assembly unless you want to update your Assembly with the changes. The same is true for changing the Context from within an Assembly. You are able to make changes to the Assembly, then switch to the Part Studio and update the Context there to view the changes if you wish. Updates are never applied automatically.

To update a Context in an Assembly: Select the part edited in context, access the context menu and select Update context.

To update a Context in a Part Studio: Select the Context in the Assembly Context list, tap the horizontal-dot menu and select Update context.

Android Set primary instance

The primary instance is created when you edit a part in context and is indicated by a solid arrow beside the feature in the Feature list (in the Part Studio) and beside the part in the Instance list (in the Assembly). The primary instance defines the anchor part (the part selected for the Edit in context command) for the placement of the ghosted assembly in the Part Studio; all other assembly components appear in the Part Studio in relationship to that primary instance.

You are able to change the primary instance of a Context at any time and may wish to do so especially in the case of a broken or missing primary instance:

1. In the Assembly, select a part.
2. Open the context menu and select the Context and then Set as primary instance.

The new primary instance is marked with a solid arrow in the Parts list, and the previous primary instance (if present) is marked with a dashed arrow.

Rename Context

Context objects are given a default name when they are created. To avoid confusion, rename each Context with meaningful names as it is created.

In the Part Studio that contains the Context object:

1. In the Assembly Contexts list (located above the Feature list), select the Context from the dropdown.
2. Tap the vertical-dot menu that becomes active when the Context name is selected.
3. Select Rename.
4. Type a new name and tap the checkmark.

Exit edit in context

Use this command when you want to end an edit in context session and return to the Part Studio without a Context and without creating a Context object.

While editing in context in the Part Studio:

Tap the x in the gold banner at the top of the graphics area.

Selecting a workspace to edit

When working in one workspace and inserting a part from a version, when you select to Edit in context, the Select a workspace to edit dialog opens (since you are unable to edit the part in an immutable version). This allows you to select the specific workspace in which to edit the part.