Feature Scope in Assemblies

When you create an assembly feature, you specify which components you want the feature to affect.

Optionally, you can propagate the feature to the part file for each affected component.

Pattern features inherit the feature scope from their seed feature.

Specify the following options under Feature Scope in the PropertyManager:

Feature Scope

  All components Applies the feature to all components in the model every time the feature regenerates. If you add new components to the model that are intersected by the feature, these new components are regenerated to include the feature.
This option results in slower performance. When possible, use Selected components.
  Selected components Applies the feature to the components that you select. If you add new components to the model and want the feature to affect them, right-click the feature and click Edit Feature, and then select the additional components to affect.

If you do not add the new components to the list of selected components, they remain intact.

  Propagate feature to parts Adds the feature to the part file for each affected component.
Assembly features cannot be propagated to Toolbox parts.

In the part, the feature appears at the end of the FeatureManager design tree and includes external references to the assembly feature. If you pattern the feature in the assembly, the pattern feature propagates to the part file.

For sketch-based features, a derived sketch is created in the part. You edit the feature in the context of the assembly. If you want to edit the feature from within the part document, you must break the external references.

In the part document, you can right-click the feature and click Make Independent to break the reference.
  Auto-select Available if you click Selected components. Automatically selects all components intersected by the feature. Auto-select is faster than All components because when you change the feature, only the components on the initial list are regenerated instead of all components in the model.

If you click Selected components and clear Auto-select, you must select the components in the graphics area that you want to include.
Components to Affect Available if you clear Auto-select. Lets you select the components to affect. Select components in the graphics area or flyout FeatureManger design tree.

Editing the Feature Scope

To edit the feature scope:

  1. Right-click the feature in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Feature.
  2. Make changes under Feature Scope in the PropertyManager, then click .