Now that we added a feature to the Design Library, we can now add it to a new part. Adding features from the Design Library are as easy as drag-and-drop, so easy even an AutoCAD user can do it ( I Kid).  There are two types of features you will drop into a part; features with references and without references. Today we are going to concentrate on inserting features without references.

Dragging Features from Design Library

First thing you need to do is create your base extrusion.

Find the feature you wish to add to your part in the Design Library. If you are not sure about the item, hover over the icon to see the description.

When you find the feature, drag the item onto a face in your part. A preview  will be shown on the surface of the part as you drag it. When you are satisfied with it’s general location, release the mouse button.

When you drag-and-drop the item from the Design Library onto the part, you will need to complete the information in the PropertyManager. The Placement Plane section describes the plane that the feature was placed. If the feature from the Design Library has multiple configurations, you may select the desired configuration in the Configuration section. Selecting Link to library part will allow the feature to be updated in the part when the parent feature in the design library is updated.

Depending on the configuration selected, the Size Dimensions window will display the primary dimensions of the feature.

Locating the Feature on the Part

The feature added to the part needs to be located. Click the Edit Sketch button in the PropertyManager.

Apply the necessary dimensions to the sketch to fully define the location of the feature. When the sketch is defined, click Finish in the Library Feature Profile window.

Dissolving the Library Feature

Once the feature is added and located on the part it will be shown in the FeatureManager as one Library Feature. This is fine in most cases but occasionally you may find it necessary to edit the features after they have been placed on the part.

Right-click on the Library Feature in the FeatureManager and select Dissolve Library Feature.

The library feature becomes the individual features, that can be edited just like any other feature.

Conclusion…

I hope over the past few weeks, you learned a few things about the Design Library that will having you singing it praises to your co-workers. I find I use one aspect or another of the Design Library almost daily and I would hate to live without it. It is a huge time saver and it should be a tool in everybodies design arsernal.

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