General Information about Groups

Various single components, bolts and special parts can be combined to form groups - i.e. a support with welded endplates and stiffeners.

The groups can be hierarchically structured in subgroups, standard component part groups and assemblies. Each parent group can itself contain subordinate groups of a lower type.

The group structure existing in the model is taken into account for the parts lists and when the model is automatically detailed and transformed into 2D workshop drawings. Many of the settings can be done separately for assemblies, component part groups, subgroups and single components.

Certain functions apply to the complete group, even if you only select one part of the group.

After the command has been selected, the main window opens where the available functions can be selected. Click on the corresponding button to apply them. Most of the commands can be directly selected via a separate menu command.

To permit rapid processing of several groups one after the other, some functions are self-loading (loop version). If you want to cancel the function, you have to press <ESC> or the right mouse button.

In the settings, you can specify for which group commands a loop version is required and for which not.

Structure of Component Part Group

OpenBridge Modeler-material groups consist of a main part and the associated accessory parts. You can choose any assignment, or it is automatically set for some commands on request.

In addition, you can add subgroups to component part groups. In order to do so, just insert the main part of a subgroup into the material group.

In practice, these component part groups mostly correspond to the dispatched parts that are delivered to the site in a preassembled condition. Such a combination is recommended but not mandatory. You can decide how to best combine the parts.

Structure of Subgroup

Like standard component part groups, OpenBridge Modeler-subgroups consist of a main part and the associated accessory parts. In practice, these subgroups mostly correspond to the purchase or stock parts that in a preassembled condition are again used in component part groups or in assemblies. 

Subgroups and standard component part groups are based on the same logic and therefore nearly behave identically.

Structure of Assembly

OpenBridge Modeler-assemblies consist of any component parts without having a determined main part. This permits to form free groups of parts and structures.

In addition, component part groups and subgroups can be inserted into an assembly as well. In order to do so, just insert the main part of the subgroup or of the material group into the assembly.

In practice, assemblies mostly correspond to several material groups, subgroups and single parts which are combined on the site.