Sliding door wardrobe in WOODEXPERT (1/3) – Custom name, Insert similarly, Replace component

WOODEXPERT provides many tools that can help you design a set of furniture in a quick and easy way. In this article we present advanced component insertion methods.

Custom name

In order to use this function, assembly naming template must be properly defined. Make sure that it contains <customname> block.

Now we can use “Custom name” function. Right-click on a component in the library and select “Insert component (custom name)”. You will be asked to enter the name for this component.

The inserted assembly and its subsequent parts will get names according to defined templates. Thanks to that, it will be easy to match a part to a wardrobe.

Insert similarly

This function allows you to insert a component with same selectors as an existing one.

We will analyse three examples.

Example 1: Adding components to one body

I have inserted one Body to my project. Then I opened it in subassembly and inserted Back panel – overlay 1. When doing this, I had to select faces that define the inside of the body.

Now I would like to insert a shelf. Since it will be using exactly the same space as the back, I can use “Insert similarly”. I click the back (in the Feature Tree or the Graphic Area), in the component library I right-click Adjustable shelf and select “Insert similarly”. The shelf will be inserted into the model based on the same planes as the selected component (the back).

Example 2: Inserting a component next to an existing one

In this example I have already inserted a body into my project and I’d like to insert another one, with the same dimensions, right next to it.

For my first component I have selected planes and dimensions as follows:

I select the first body and insert the second one using “Insert similarly (custom name)”.

I will call my new body “right”.

The new body got the same selectors (planes and dimensions) as the first one. Now I’ll just switch the left plane of the new body. Instead of “yz” plane it should be the right side of the existing body.

Remember about adjusting the parameters. They will not be copied from the first component.

Example 3: Inserting a drawer

To one of the bodies I inserted: a vertical partition, a horizontal partition and inset drawer front. Now I would like to insert a drawer box. It seems that it will be a problem: I have obstructed the space from all sides.

However I can select the drawer front and insert the box using “Insert similarly”. The drawer box will be inserted in the same space as the front (left side – vertical partition, bottom – horizontal partition, front face of the side – back panel). Now I just need to point the back face of the drawer front as the front face of the drawer box. I will have to use “Select Other”.

Replace component

This function works exactly like “Insert similarly”, with one difference: before inserting a new component, the old one is deleted.

Let’s say I have inserted a horizontal partition to my body. However, I decide that instead I want to insert a vertical partition in the same space. I don’t have to remove the old component, insert the new one and once again select all the faces. I can just select the horizontal partition and insert the vertical partition with “Replace component”.

What’s next?

In other parts of the series we discuss saving your own components to the library and copying whole projects.

What other functions of WOODEXPERT would you like us to discuss? Leave your comments below.

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