An in-context feature updates automatically if the update path is available. The update path is contained in the assembly where you create the reference. If the update path is not available (for example, if the assembly document is closed), updating occurs the next time you open the assembly that contains the update path.
To help you examine the update paths for the in-context features of an assembly, you can display update holders
in the FeatureManager design tree. You can:
- Select an update holder in the tree to highlight the corresponding sketch in the graphics area.
- Right-click an update holder and click List External Refs to lock, unlock, or break the external references.
To show or hide all update holders:
- Right-click the top-level assembly name or icon
and click Show Update Holders.The update holders appear near the bottom of the tree.
- Right-click the top-level assembly name or icon again and click Hide Update Holders.
The update holders are hidden.
Update Path Example
Consider the example of an assembly that contains two components: a mold base and a design component.
In the context of the assembly, you create a cavity feature in the mold base, with an external reference to the design component. The update path for the cavity feature is therefore contained in the assembly.
Now, suppose that you change the design component and you need to update the mold base accordingly.
- If the assembly is open, the cavity feature in the mold base updates automatically when you make the changes to the design component.
- If the assembly is closed, the cavity feature cannot be updated to reflect the changes until you open the assembly, thereby making the update path available.