Learn about managing symmetrical block definitions - Intergraph Smart 3D - Help - Hexagon

Intergraph Smart 3D Planning

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Parts (structural part items, connection items, edge features, holes, and so forth.) that are defined in the Molded Forms and Structure tasks can exist as part of a group of similar structures, meaning that a part in starboard side can have a counterpart on the port side as shown in the following illustration:

Plates 4 and 5 are not symmetrical due to the centerline (CL) - Plate 5 is wider than Plate 4.

Using the Planning task, the planner creates blocks and assemblies. In the following illustration, an assembly structure that includes Plates 5 and 6 has been defined in block B01 (port side). All the parts in block B02 (starboard side) remain unassigned:

Using Mirror Assembly , you can specify that the assembly structure in B02 be the same as that in B01. In so doing, changes to the assembly structure in B01 are reflected in B02 and vice versa. The Mirror Assembly command copies part of the assembly hierarchy structure of one block to another and finds symmetric parts in the other block to assign to the assemblies created.

Symmetrical parts are found based on symmetry relations created when Tools > Board Management Service is run from the Structural Detailing task. For more information, see the Structural Detailing User's Guide available from the Help > Printable Guides command.

Only that part of the assembly structure where symmetric parts are found is copied. If no symmetric parts are found in the other block, no mirroring is done. In the following illustration, plate 4 is not assigned to the assembly because it has no counterparts on the starboard side:

Unassigned parts (those with no symmetrical counterparts) are assigned to the assembly manually.

Mirror Assembly is a one-way operation. Using the command, however, does not direct the software to continuously listen for new or edited symmetric parts or assemblies. The Tools > Synchronize Hierarchy command is the corresponding bi-directional synchronization of unassigned parts in symmetrically related blocks and assemblies. If new parts have been added, the command allows for an update of the assembly hierarchy structure without the loss of non-symmetrical assembly hierarchy deviations made in either side. Synchronization of the hierarchy builds on the relationships formed between symmetrical assemblies and blocks when using Mirror Assembly or when manually set by the planner.