Is the "open" dialog box the only way to insert a part into an assembly?

[tthomasson]

If I want to insert another instance of a part (or subassembly) into my assembly, is the only way to do this by using the Assemble button and the "open" dialog box? Is there not an easier/quicker way to insert another instance of a part, such as "copy" or "insert another instance of" or "insert again" etc. via a right-click menu?

For example, another popular CAD program will let you ctrl+drag a part (or subassembly) from the assembly tree into the assembly. This means you don't have to "browse" or search for a part every time you want to insert another instance of it.

I'm using Creo 2.

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[dschenken · Accepted solution]

You can select the item and then look for the Repeat option, which will use the same references that were used to assemble the component that was selected.

You can also Copy/Paste, which can allow more options.

[TomD.inPDX]

I just recently figured out how to use "repeat". Very nice way to quickly copy a component.

Select the constraints you want repeated in the dialog and click add... start picking assembly references.

Also look for the temporary assembly reference option... create_temp_interfaces yes ...in config.pro

[TomD.inPDX]

And, of course, patterns.

[tthomasson]

Thanks for the responses. I'm talking specifically about situations where patterns don't work.

Copy/paste is my favorite answer - I hadn't tried that yet.

Repeat is OK, but it only lets me place the component using the same mates in the same order as the "parent instance". It works pretty good for things like bolts and washers where the mating is always the same, but it's frustrating when the child "repeat-part" is a wierdo-part that needs to be mated differently.