assembly copy

Unfortunately, saving a backup saves every single component in the assembly, including those that might be "library" parts (like screws, washers, etc.) The only "fix" I've used is manually deleting the offending duplicate parts.

The way I avoid the naming conflicts is to manually copy the assembly I want to another directory. I then exit Creo, start fresh, and work only in the new directory, renaming everything I want. Once the naming is complete, I move the copied assembly to the directory I want it in, and start the rest of the work.

The backup command takes the object being saved and all the files it needs and saves them in the directory specified.  It's quite handy for making stand alone packages of assemblies as a result, because you know everything needed will be there. That means, if you are using backup on your sub-assy and the top level assy is going into the backup directory too, your sub-assy is dependent on your main assy.

Backup, as you've found, also makes the copy in the backup directory the working copy.  The easiest way around this, assuming that you want to keep working on the original, is to backup twice.  First, backup to the backup folder, then backup again back to your working directory.  If your original assy consists of parts from various other directories, this won't work, you'll have to backup, erase from memory then re-retrieve the original.

The backup command also forces you to keep the same names, there is no opportunity to change names.

To make a copy of just the sub assy, use the File > Save As > Save A Copy command.  This will only bring the sub-assy, regardless of any dependencies on the top level assy.  Keep in mind that your copy will carry those same dependencies to the original top level assy, however.  Save a copy forces you to use a new name for the sub-assy, but the components inside can be the same name or a new name, depending on their parent child relationships.

ok, thanks for all replies..

It seems itsn't possible to do it with just one click...