Mechanical Browser (legacy) panel

The Mechanical Browser (legacy) panel offers a central location to view and modify parametric properties of mechanical parts and assemblies.

Parameter list

Displays a list of all the parameters and constraints in the drawing. They are organized in expandable categories which may include user parameters, 2D dimensional constraints, 3D dimensional constraints, 3D geometric constraints, block parameters and array parameters.

A context menu displays when right-click the main component name:

Update: Updates the hierarchy of mechanical components for the current drawing in case referenced drawing files of sub-components have been modified.

Visual style > All by Viewport: Applies the current visual style to all components in the assembly.

Switch all to local: Converts all external components in the model to local components.

Switch all to external…: Switches all internal components to external components.

Select all: Selects all components with the same definition.

Select same: Selects all components with the same name and the same parameter values.

Highlight all: Highlights all components with the same definition.

Highlight same: Highlight all components with the same name and the same parameter values.

Create exploded view: Creates a block with an exploded representation of the current assembly.

Dissolve: The selected feature is removed from the part, but it will keep its geometry. However, design intent (spatial and parametric relationships between the feature’s faces) associated with the geometry of a dissolved feature is removed.

Delete: This is the analogue of the SMDELETE command. In this case the feature is removed from the browser and geometry is changed depending upon the type of the feature.

Disable: The feature will remain in the Mechanical Browser, but the part will behave like the feature was dissolved. It is beneficial in contrast with dissolve, that feature still updates on geometry changes and you can turn it on when you want, avoiding recreating it or recognizing by SMCONVERT.

Right-click menus offer additional tools for components:

Open: Opens the referenced drawing.

Open a copy: Opens a copy of a component insert as a new drawing.

Update: Reloads all referenced components from external files and updates BOM tables.

Replace…: Replaces a component insert.

Note: Replacing a local insert turns it into an external insert.

Set material to component: Opens the Physical Materials dialog box, which allows you to assign a physical material to the component.

BOM status: Controls the appearance of the component in BOM tables.

Right-click menus offer additional tools for parameters:

Geometry-driven: If checked, it makes the parameter geometry-driven.

Create design table: Creates a design table to drive parametric block parameters.

Animate: Animates models by means of parameters.

Link to parameter: Links subcomponent parameter to the main level parameter.

Note: Right-click on a 3D constraint argument and choose the Replace option to replace the current argument with a another one.

Properties

Specifies the properties of the selected item.

Note: Select a Sheet Metal Body to display the Measurements properties in the Mechanical Browser panel.

Group by entity

Groups 3D constraints by entity. Expand an entity to view its associated constraints.

Group by type

Groups 3D constraints by type. Expand a constraint to view the affected entities.

Sort Alphabetically

Lists mechanical components and 3D constraints alphabetically. Otherwise, they are listed in the order they are added to the assembly.

Settings

Expressions of constraints: Controls whether the numeric value or the assigned parameter name displays.
Components parameters: Expressions at sub-components control the visual representation of sub-component parameters: numeric value or assigned parameter name.
Expressions of components parameters: Sub-component parameters control the visibility of sub-component parameters.
Sub-components of standard parts: Parameters at properties add a parameters section for the selected instance to the Mechanical browser properties

Show search

Toggles the search field and associated tools on and off. You can also press CTRL+F to toggle Search.

Search field: Searches the parameter list for the character string you enter. The arrow tools to the right of the search field enable you find the next or previous occurrence of the text string.

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