Blocks need some help please
Hi Guys, Getting on with my suspension layout using Blocks. In the tutorial it mentions “Link to File”, not overly informative, so I thought I would post on here. After I have made the sketch, saved it, made Block and saved that too….. Then applied the block into my layout sketch… now when I want to adjust a dimension, I’m just editing the block there and then, but in my mind it should be linked back to the original sketch so that is updated to.. am i right???? is that the correct way to do it??? guidance will be very much appreciated… thanks. PS, once I’ve got this last bit sussed i’ll post the model up here for veiwing…… should be a laugh anyway 
Ben 4:38 pm on November 24, 2009 Permalink
Yes they should be linked and ‘parametric’ it may require more than one rebuild to make it all work and in my experience it is necessary to have both the assembly with the layout sketch and the part open at the same time for this to work properly
yakboy 8:12 pm on November 24, 2009 Permalink
Hi, Ben, which file should be used as the linked file?? I tried to link but was only given the option of linking to the solidblock file of each part?? is this correct? I’m confused between the layout sketch, the sketch of each part file and the block file of each part !!!! hair pulling out time !!! thanks in advance..
Ben 9:01 pm on November 24, 2009 Permalink
Can you attach a file here (Don’t forget to attach all files for this i.e. parts, assembly(s), drawings. Best way is to save it all into a folder and then zip up the folder) ZIPPING the file before uploading is critical and or use the solidjott addin and attach the model
yakboy 1:52 am on November 25, 2009 Permalink
Right, I’ve saved,zipped,scratched my head…. lots so hopefully it’ll work ok. If it doesn’t I’m a numpty !!!!
Something just isn’t working, I’ve zipped using WinZip, I have a zipped folder containing all the parts etc of my suspension, when I hit the Browse button I can navigate to the folder, but can’t upload just the folder, as soon as I select the folder it just opens it and does not insert the link to upload….. any answers??
Ben 8:38 am on November 25, 2009 Permalink
Something occurred to me. There is a setting in windows that tells it to open zip files like a folder. I have no idea where this setting is but if you can find it and turn it off then you should be able to upload…
Here is the file…
Attachment – solidjott
Ben 10:18 am on November 25, 2009 Permalink
Well the file is not quite all there unfortunately so here is what we need you to do Click ‘file-pack and go’ and choose the save to zip file option and put it somewhere where you will not forget it. Next try and attach it to a comment here and if that fails email it to me and I will attach it.
Also let us know what assembly sketch is driving the part sketches
yakboy 4:33 pm on November 25, 2009 Permalink
Hi Ben, just removed and reinstalled SW 2009, haven’t re installed solidjott yet as I’m waiting to see how stable my computer is, all this firewall, anti virus etc etc I really don’t understand, so I’m going to run things how I know cos it works… for now anyway!! you said in the last reply “Also let us know what assembly sketch is driving the part sketches”" does this mean that to put all the blocks together and cycle the linkage, it should be put together as an assembly using mates?? I had made my linkage sketch and saved it as a part file, is this wrong? I have also noticed that when using the “link to file” or editing a block then saving it, the mates or relations dissappear, I’m really doing something really really wrong aren’t I???? See told you I was a student, not very good but I keep at it and WILL learn…….:-)
Ben 9:18 pm on November 25, 2009 Permalink
You may be a student but the questions you have are very valid and most experienced people dont even know that blocks exist little alone link to file stuff. So as a student you are doing awesome to be tackling this stuff, it will benifit you big time in the future. Now that you said that each block has a file then all should change fine and be linked parametrically (there is a way to make a ‘assembly sketch’ with blocks that can then be made into parts and that is the method I would have used. Anyhow we will take a look at your files once they are up on the site.
As far as mates go if you say delete a line and put in a new one and have used the first lines extrusion for a mate it will blow up. Basically it is no longer line one it is now line two. Also sometimes changing a dimension effectively changes the surface or solid enough that it is no longer the same surface and therefor the mate selections do not exist any more.
yakboy 11:14 pm on November 25, 2009 Permalink
Ahhhh you make it sound so easy !!!!! the files you kindly attached a few comments ago, is all of it, the highest level is the one called “linkage1″. Thats my starting point or file should I say, all the other parts,sketches,assemblies are my long way round trying to get to where i want to be…. if you get my meaning?? just as a suggestion, once you have had a look, picked yourself up off the floor, could you possibly do an idiots type “how to do this” starting at the beginning and sending me off in the right direction………?? because i’m finding my way around and i just waste so much valuable time going around in circles…. my point being, i can be working on a part, trying to do a certain command or whatever, i may stumble across the key which does what i want, but i won’t understand why it did it? or how to do it again.. because at that point i’m totally confused and frustrated and probably just punching buttons to see what happens….. I really need to streamline the way i work and get this right…. many thanks for your patience.. nige
CBL 7:59 am on November 26, 2009 Permalink
yakboy,
I cannot find the files you said that Ben had attached “a few comments ago”. Can you use the Permalink link to reference the post?
Ben 8:45 am on November 26, 2009 Permalink
http://solidjott.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/solidjott.zip
CBL 11:47 am on November 26, 2009 Permalink
Ohh, that one. I thought that was the SolidJott add-in you had posted for yakboy.
CBL 11:50 am on November 26, 2009 Permalink
That zip file does not contain all the files referenced in the assy.
yakboy 6:37 pm on November 26, 2009 Permalink
Hi CBL, you’re dealing with a” fumbling around in the dark student” here don’t forget, I am realising I haven’t built this according to normal practice, so the files probably aren’t as you would expect !!! thats one reason for me being here is to get it right. I had problems with the “link to file” bit, so the assembly is a mess. As I mentioned to Ben, the “linkage1″ part file is where I was putting the blocks together, but this i think was the wrong way to go about it. So, I asked Ben if it would be possible for an “idiots guide” to how I should go about this process from the beginning….?? thanks you
yakboy 5:24 am on November 29, 2009 Permalink
just a quick try to upload a file to see if I’ve got things working
yakboy 6:43 am on December 2, 2009 Permalink
just trying again…many appologies !! ok so why doesn’t the file I browsed and linked as an attachment onto this comment.. show up in this window????? very confused… or does a site mod have to do it?? Anyway, further to my quest for a solution I have actually managed to upload the whole file into the libray (off the dashboard) if anyone is willing to take some time and help me sort out this mess….. many thanks, this is such a brill site… please keep up the great work you do Ben et all…..