Configurations To Help Show Operation

[MORECREO]

I'm using Creo 7

I've been trying to somehow combine the mechanisms feature with simp reps. Currently, I have multiple instances of a sub assembly in my top level assembly. The multiple instances are to show different stages of my machine. Each instance is shown in a different state (example cylider up/cylinder down / slide up/ slide down. 

In the Solidworks world, I would just have multiple configurations and if I click on one it then shows me what I want to see. Is there a Creo Equivelant to this?

The mechanisms feature sort of worked, except I had to drag all the components, then if I wanted to shown and hide items I then first had to exit mechanisms/hide/go back to mechanisms.

Example Situation

Config 1) Cylinder up / gate open (I dont need to show it moving, just show it up and in postion with the ability to edit the view (hide/show)

Config 2) Cylinder down/ gate close (same as the last item)

Config 3) Cylinder down/ gate close/ cylinder 2 up

There has to be an easier way what am I missing?

[MORECREO]

Clarification on my Solidworks reference, In SW I would have multiple configurations for an assembly all imbedded into that .asm file.

Creo, so far, requires me to place multiple instances of my sub assemblies into my model and use simp reps to simulate movement.

I plan to eventually have fewer Solidworks references as the community helps me master Creo. LOL

Your help is very much appreciated!

Thank you!

[IbrahimTayyab]

Hello,
I am not that familiar with what you are explaining but in the effort of trying to save you time while you wait for someone more knowledgeable these links seem to cover a wide variety of methods to do what you are explaining.

https://community.ptc.com/t5/System-Administration/How-to-create-multiple-configurations-within-an-assembly/td-p/224664

https://community.ptc.com/t5/3D-Part-Assembly-Design/Is-there-an-automated-way-to-toggle-between-constraint-sets/td-p/43587

https://community.ptc.com/t5/3D-Part-Assembly-Design/Multiple-Assembly-quot-Placement-States-quot/td-p/315284

[tbraxton]

Creo mechanism snapshots are what you are looking for. Start with this link for an intro.

About snapshots

[MORECREO]

I have spent some time experimenting with snapshots already, but I was unable to hide/unhide components while taking snapshots.

Example...

Stage (1) - Move part over to drop area (part shown here) (snapshot one taken)

Stage (2) - Part is moved over and dropped (part is gone) (snapshot taken)

-In this second stage "Snapshot" I am unable to hide or suppress items while in the mechanism function. 
 - Just the ability to hide/show items while scrolling through snapshots is a huge advantage, but I have been unable to do that.

If thats not correct I will look into it more. 

Thank You!

[tbraxton · Accepted solution]

Snapshots are used to configure the kinematics of the mechanism in mechanism mode.

To control the visibility of components displayed in an assembly the simplified rep would be used. Simplified rep functionality is available in part mode and assembly mode (not mechanism mode). Based on your description you would create an assembly simplified rep for each snapshot that you want to display of a given assembly and set that rep to be active before entering mechanism mode.

Assuming you have the assembly constraints that accurately model the kinematics of your design you should be able to do all of this while in the model tab (not mechanism mode). This can be accomplished by dragging the components to put the mechanism in the desired position to create a snapshot or use previously defined snapshots saved with the model.

Create a simplified rep to control which elements of the machine design are displayed in assembly mode and then set the snapshot when in the model tab by using the drag component functionality which allows you to create snapshots in assembly mode.

[pausob]

Note that mechanism snapshot can be saved as exploded assembly state using this function: 

-->

So you can then use the above as part of the combined states make-up in order to display your mechanism in the various configurations.  To hide / display the components in different ways, you then have many options: using styles (hide/ wireframe / transparent), appearances, layers, and simplified reps...