Edit References option to remove reference

[kdirth]

I would like to see an option to remove a reference in the Edit References tool.

Many times I make changes to a part model that removes references for a later feature that does not have a replacement.  I would like to be able to use Edit References to replace and/or remove lost references without needing to edit definition.

[Chris3]

Is this a duplicate of this idea?

https://community.ptc.com/t5/Creo-Parametric-Ideas/Add-quot-remove-missing-ref-quot-to-reference-dialog-boxes/idi-p/493919 

If not then what happens to the parent/child relationships that need those references?

[kdirth]

Not the same issue.  This relates to using Edit References.  The other idea refers to removing more than one failed reference in Edit Definition.  I agree that there would be a possibility that further reference problems could occur.

My suggestion results from changing a shape, say from 5 sides to 4 sides.  The round created for 5 sides will fail because of the missing edge.

[Chris3]

That use case solution already exists. If you use intent edges rather than picking them one by one then it won't fail. If you have more use cases it may help your cause to clearly define them so that PTC can understand them better.

[kdirth]

I do try to use intent edges when possible, but many times work on models created by others.  The latest issue I had involved a pair multi sided shapes with two sides drafted and rounded.  I had to remove one of the sides with draft and round, causing the draft and round to fail do to lost references.  Many times while fixing a failed model, I will edit references for a round, replace many of the references, but have others that don't have a replacement.  I could select an edge that is already selected (now selected twice) but don't feel that is a good practice.

[Chris3]

So in that case the idea is for the parent feature that needs that reference to be deleted? suppressed? What if it is a reference in a single feature but a different reference set? What happens then? Does the entire feature along with the references that are still valid get suppressed? I am just trying to understand how this idea would work.

[S_Edgenear]

I was about to post some request for improvements in dealing with lost references when I saw this post, so I'll comment here just this suggestion.

Since Edit References is better suited to replace all references for all downstream features, I would prefer for it to stay this way, with a one to one relationship. I would prefer for PTC to modify the Edit Definition code to improve it there. Namely, adding a right mouse button option to remove all lost references, isntead of one b one, if we want to work as we currently do, only speeding up the process, or, better yet, add a right mouse button option to also "Reroute" or "Replace" reference, instead of only "Removing" reference. This way, we can choose to re-connect missing references inside Edit definition, avoiding the need to use the Edit References in most cases, and also have the flexibility to delete or remove no longer needed references, or adding new ones (for example, to try to complete a edge chain). Also, when using the Edit Definition command, and if the software detects that the feature failed due to missing references before Edit Deinition, a normally hidden button could be added and shown, that would invoke "Edit References" funcionality inside "Edit Definition". The idea is to speed up the process when we have many missing references, since it would allow "auto-advance" mode to the next missided reference whenever we click a reference to be repalced. This would avoid having to constantly right click to invoque the context menu to replace a missing reference, and having to scroll down to the next group of missing references.

Creo's way of dealing with missing references is in general very good and advanced, in relation to other CAD packages, but if we improve this bit further, it will give PTC's customers even better ways to deal with part changes making the process less time consuming and having to do less repetive tasks/mouse movements.

[S_Edgenear]

I also use design intent when selecting edges or surfaces when possible, but there are lots of situations when we have to select them one by one, especially if we use merged or inherited geometry, or deal with imported geometry.