Design Accelerator component file structure

[iMax]

I've just paid attention to structure of 3D-model of compression spring generated using DA (Design Accelerator).
Result is the assembly containing subassembly.
Subassembly consequently contained the only part.

...a bit complicated as for me, but...

Using just the part itself makes it impossible to edit later the spring with DA.
Using the subassembly within other assembly - the same - can't be edited with DA.
...just for satisfying curiosity...
What makes Design Assistant "understand" which component can be edited and which can't?

[pauldoubet]

I just let DA take care of the how and why. The only issue I have had with this is combining two subassemblies with the part number of spring or spring1 at a higher level of assembly. You will be much better off to allow the software to manage this assembly/part relationship for you and name the springs according to what they are used for so the part numbers don't roll up in your parts list at some higher level of assembly. To edit the DA part at a higher level you have to open the assembly that the DA component was created in originally.

[iMax]

Nevertheless, the question is still interesting for me:
What makes Design Assistant "understand" which component can be edited and which can't?

[pauldoubet]

Nevertheless, the question is still interesting for me:
What makes Design Assistant "understand" which component can be edited and which can't?

I can't answer the question technically speaking, but their is a link to the assy/part file and I just had one today that got broke by not migrating some older files before I started editing them. The problem part was a V belt transmission as they call it, right click and no option to edit with DA appears. You can see the rational for the assy/parts of DA when you think in terms of multiple pulleys and the belts or chains and sprockets. I recently did an assy with a 10 groove pulley on a jackshaft driving four different pulleys and everything worked correctly the first time. And it never failed to update thru several edits to component location, etc.

Enjoy DA!