Problem with components

[blake77]

After I make each piece I make it into a component. When I make a unit such as a frame or cabinet then I also make the whole a component. The problem is that often when I go back and select a component to edit instead of giving me to option to edit it gives me the option to make a component.

[Dave R]

I've never seen that. So you're saying when you right click on the nested component, Edit Component isn't available? What happens when you double click on the component with Select? Does that open the component for editing? (It should.)

Could you post a component that shows that behavior?

[Jim]

I'm guessing the "Replace Selection with Component" option is not always being selected in the Make Component dialog.

This can happen when only part of a set of connected geometry is selected.

[Dave R]

Good catch Jim.

If the geometry you are selecting to make a component connected to unselected geometry, and you don't tick the box for "Replace selection with component", a component is created but isn't used in place of the selection. So the loose geometry is still there and there'd be no component to right click on. If you look in the In Model component library, you'll see that the component is there.

Another possible problem that I have seen frequently is the first part is made into a component. Then the next part is drawn, all of it's geometry along with the first component is selected and another component is made. This creates a nest of the first component and a bunch of loose geometry. This sort of work flow creates all kinds of problems later.

[blake77]

Thanks. I will start paying closer attention to the "replace with component" option and see what happens. If I still have problems, I'll let you know.

[Dave R]

Ken, if there's no unselected geometry attached to the selected stuff when you are making the component, the Replace Selection with Component box will be automatically checked. If, when you are making the component, that box is not checked automatically, it is your clue that you have unselected geometry attached.

There are times when it is handing to select only part of the geometry you have drawn for making a component. An example in my work flow is crown moldings around cabinets. I'll often draw the crown around the three sides of the case using Follow Me and then, when I know I have the correct profile, I'll split it into components so it will be accurately represented in the cut list. For most parts however, I draw one the geometry for one component before I move on to the next part. I generally use a triple click of the Select tool on the geometry to ensure I get all of the attached geometry selected before I make a component. Making one component at a time in most cases is easier and there are fewer chances for errors.