Defining Multiple Representations
of a Component

This task shows how you can define multiple graphic representations of a component.
You define multiple graphic representations of a component when you need to show more than one version of the same component. For instance, you may need to show a switch in an open position and a closed position. Creating these two representations of the same component allows you to place any one of these. The example below assumes you have built a component and a graphic (see Building a component and  Building a graphic) that you want to use as a representation of the component.

  1. Click the Build Graphic button and then click the component for which you want to create a representation.

    The Build Graphic dialog box displays.
    The image below shows the component, the graphic which you want to define as a graphic representation above, and the Build Graphic dialog box.
    The Build Graphic dialog box shows a list of graphic representation names you can use.

  2. Select one and click the graphic.
    The Defined value changes to Yes in the Build Graphic dialog box.

  3. Click Close. The graphic is defined as a representation of the component switch.

  4. To disassociate a graphic from a component, bring up the Build Graphic dialog box using the Build Graphic icon , select the graphic and click the Remove button.
You cannot define another component as a graphic representation. You must build a graphic to use as a graphic representation.

You can define a graphic representation of a component that is in the catalog. To do so you must open the CATProduct document where catalog components are stored, create one or more graphics in the document, and follow the steps above.