Magnetic Mates

You can use magnetic mates to position assets that are created by using the Asset Publisher tool.

With the Asset Publisher tool, you define connection points and a ground plane. As you insert and move the assets within proximity of each other, use magnetic mates to snap the asset into position relative to other assets. You lock the magnetic mate by clicking the Lock mate icon near the cursor.

To enable magnetic mates, click Tools > Magnetic Mate ON/OFF .

Cycling Through Connection Points

When inserting a component with a magnetic mate, you can cycle through the connection points by using keyboard shortcuts. Use the left bracket [ to cycle through connection points on the moving component. Use the right bracket ] to cycle through connection points on the static component.

To use the keyboard shortcuts to cycle through connection points:

Select the component to use in a magnetic mate. With the component selected, use [ or ] to cycle through the connection points.

To customize the keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Open an assembly and click Tools > Customize > Keyboard.
  2. In Category, select Others.
  3. Under Command, select Cycle connection point (moving component) or Cycle connection point (static component) to change the keyboard shortcut.

Example - Magnetic Mates

In this example, you use magnetic mates to connect two train tracks on a floor in an assembly.

The steps in this example are:
  • Create a ground plane (floor).
  • Add a connection point to the first (straight) train track.
  • Add a connection point to the second (curved) train track.
  • Insert the tracks into the assembly and use magnetic mates to attach them.
  1. To create the ground plane, with the floor assembly open in the graphics area, click Insert > Reference Geometry > Ground Plane .
  2. In the graphics area, click the top face for Ground Plane.

  3. Click .
  4. To add a connection point to the first track, with the straight train track open in the graphics area, click Tools > Asset Publisher .
  5. In the graphics area, select the face shown for Ground Plane.

  6. Select the edge shown for Connect point under Connecting Points.

    When you select a linear edge, the midpoint is chosen.
  7. Select the face shown for Connect direction.

  8. Click Add Connector.

  9. Click .
    The FeatureManager design tree updates to include Published References containing Ground Plane and Connector1.
  10. To add a connection point to the second track, with the curved train track open in the graphics area, click Tools > Asset Publisher .
  11. In the graphics area, select the face shown for Ground Plane.

  12. Select the edge shown for Connect point under Connecting Points.

  13. Select the face shown for Connect direction.

  14. Click Add Connector.

  15. Click .
    The FeatureManager design tree updates to include Published References containing Ground Plane and Connector1.
  16. To insert the assets into the assembly, with the floor assembly open in the graphics area, click Insert Components (Assembly toolbar) or Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly.
  17. In the PropertyManager, in Open documents, select the straight track and drag the pointer with the attached track to the graphics area as shown.

  18. Click to place the track on the floor.
    The track mates to the floor because ground mates are included.
  19. In the PropertyManager, in Open documents, select the curved track and drag the pointer with the attached track to the graphics area as shown but do not release it. As you drag the curved track towards the straight track, notice the magnetic mate snap line that appears as you drag the curved track closer.

  20. Click to release the curved track so that it snaps to the straight track.