Creating PowerCopy Features

This task shows how to use create PowerCopy elements, to be reused later.
A PowerCopy is a set of features (geometric elements, formulas, constraints and so forth) that are grouped in order to be used in a different context, and presenting the ability to be re-specified according to the context when pasted.
This PowerCopy captures the design intent and know-how of the designer thus enabling greater reusability and efficiency.

Open the PowerCopyStart.CATPart document.

  1. Select the Insert ->Knowledge Templates -> Power Copy menu item.
    The PowerCopy Definition dialog box is displayed. 

  2. Select, from the specification tree, the elements to be included in the PowerCopy. 

    The PowerCopy Definition dialog box is automatically filled with information about the selected elements. 
     
     

  3. Define the PowerCopy as you wish to create it:

    The Definition tab lets you assign a name to the PowerCopy and presents its components in the 3D viewer.
     
    The Inputs tab lets you rename the reference elements making up the PowerCopy.
     
     
    You can do that for clarification purposes as to their roles,  by selecting the elements in the viewer and entering a new name in the Name field.
    In this example, we renamed all three elements and in brackets you still can read the elements' default name based on their type.
     
    The Parameters tab allows you to define which of the parameter values used in the PowerCopy you will be able to modify at instantiation time.
     
     
    Simply check the Published button.

    Use the Name field to give a more explicit name to the element.
     
    The Documents tab shows the complete path and role of Design tables that are referenced by an element included in the Power Copy.
     
     
    The Icon tab lets you modify the icon identifying the PowerCopy in the specifications tree. 
     
     
    A subset of icons is available from the Icon choice button.
    If you click ... the Icon Browser opens, giving you access to all the graphic icons installed with the CATIA software.

    Use the Grab screen button to  capture an image of the PowerCopy to be stored with its definition in the catalog (see Saving PowerCopy Features).
     
     
    Use the Remove preview button to delete the image captured with the Grab screen button.

  4. Click OK to create the PowerCopy.

    The PowerCopy is displayed close to the top of the specification tree.
     
    • Double-click the PowerCopy in the specification tree to display the PowerCopy Definition dialog box and edit its contents.
    • A formula is automatically included in a Power Copy definition when all its parameters are included.
      Otherwise, i.e. if at least one parameter is not selected as part of the Power Copy, you have to manually select the formula to make it part of the definition. If you do so, all the formula's parameters that have not been explicitly selected, are considered as inputs of the Power Copy.
       
    Once your PowerCopy is created, do not delete the referenced elements used to make up the PowerCopy.