Multibody Parts Versus Assemblies

Multibody parts should not replace the use of assemblies. A general rule to follow is that one part (multibody or not) should represent one part number in a Bill of Materials. A multibody part consists of multiple solid bodies that are not dynamic. If you need to represent dynamic motion among bodies, use an assembly. Tools such as Move Component, Dynamic Clearance, and Collision Detection are available only with assembly documents.

You can save an assembly as a multibody part document. This enables you to save complex assemblies as smaller part documents to facilitate sharing files. For example, you have a design of an intricate motor assembly and a potential customer wants to know if it fits in their frame. You can save the motor assembly as a part document and send the part file to potential customers without risking design integrity or transmitting a large assembly document file.

To save an assembly as a multibody part document:

1. Open an assembly document.

2. Click File, Save As.

   The Save As dialog box appears.

3. Set the Save as type to Part (*.prt, *.sldprt).

   A set of options appears at the bottom of the dialog box.

4. Select one of the following:

• Exterior Faces to save the exterior faces as Surface Bodies .

• Exterior Components to save the visible components as Solid Bodies .

• All Components to save all components as Solid Bodies .

Components that are hidden or suppressed are not saved when you select All Components.

5. Click Save.