How can I make individual part files from a multibody part?
SolidWorks 2004 introduced the ability to work with multibody parts (parts with more than one continuous volume) This can be useful to develop designs that are more easily conceptualized and modeled using a single part file, but will be manufactured as an assembly of parts. This is sometimes referred to as the "master model" technique.
To create separate part files for each of the bodies in a multibody part file, follow these steps:
1. Create the multibody part. [Look for keyword "multibody" in the SolidWorks Help index for more about this step.]
2. Choose Insert - Features – Save Bodies. Since you already have multiple bodies in your part, you do not need to select a Trim Tool for the Split feature. (Note – prior to Solidworks 2007, you didn’t have Save Bodies, and would instead select the Split command. Then as now, the Split can also be used to spawn part files from each selected body, even if no actual cutting had been done within the Split dialog).
3. Within the dialog, click on one of the callouts seen in the graphics window to designate a filename and location for the part file for that body. (Or you can double-click in the list of Resulting Bodies in the PropertyManager).
4. Repeat step 3 for all the bodies for which you wish to create new part files.
5. (Optional) Select Consume Bodies in the PropertyManager ONLY if you wish the spawned body to disappear at this point from the master model.
6. Click the green OK button. The new part files have been created. They will update associatively when the original part is changed.
7. (Optional) Right-click on the Save Bodies feature in the FeatureManager and choose Create Assembly. Click "Browse" to specify a name and location for the assembly. Click OK to generate a new assembly using the part files created in step 6. Each part comes into the new assembly in a Fixed state, aligned to the assembly origin. Since the parts were all derived from the same origin in the first place, they all end up in the exact correct locations in the new assembly.
8. Save all open documents.
