Part Import Tool

Use the Part Import Tool to place another ParametrIQ drawing (.piq) in this one as a part: a lock tab, a standard insert, a logo drawn in ParametrIQ. The part is drawn full size and kept in the drawing's part library, by the file's name. Parts you use often can be kept in the Parts panel instead, and dragged onto the drawing.

Usage

1. Click Choose Drawing… and pick a .piq file, or type the file's path in File.
2. Click^* where the part's origin goes. The part follows the cursor until you do.
3. Click^* a point in the direction its X axis should point. The part turns to face the cursor.
4. Choose the layer for it (its elements keep their own layers).
5. Leave Embed in drawing ticked to keep the part's drawing in this one's library, or clear it to link it to its file: the drawing then reads it whenever it is opened, so changing the part's file changes every placing of it. The file box takes a web address too. See Linked files and web addresses.

Switching between files

To show one of several drawings depending on a variable (a different insert for each style of box, say), tick Switch Between Files:

1. In Switch On (a variable or expression), type the variable (or any expression) that picks the file: STYLE.

2. In Cases (one per line: value: file), list the files, a line each: the value the file is shown for, a colon, then the file. Each Choose Drawing… adds a line, numbered after the others. A DEFAULT: line is shown for any other value.

   1: C:\Inserts\tab.piq
   2: C:\Inserts\slot.piq
   DEFAULT: C:\Inserts\plain.piq
   

3. Place it as above. The one shown as you place it is the one the variable picks now.

They are placed together as one SWITCHPART on the same points. Change the variable and the other file's drawing is shown in its place; only the one shown is exported.

Scoping: the part takes this drawing's sizes

The part keeps its own points and variables, but each of its variables with the same name as one of this drawing's takes this drawing's value. A box drawn with L, W and D is drawn at this drawing's length, width and depth, and changes when they do; a variable of its own defined on them (TUCK=D/2) follows. Name a variable in this drawing the same as one in the part (FLAP=25) to set it from here. Its other variables keep their own values.

A part, not loose elements

• None of its points is drawn. The points its lines are drawn on, and its part markers, can be snapped to: clicking one makes a point of this drawing's defined from the part's (P10=@5.P3), which follows the part (see Parts). Select the part by its lines, and move or turn it with the selection box or by its two points. It is always full size.
• Exports write its elements on their own layers, as if they were the drawing's own.
• The file is read once: the drawing keeps its own copy in its part library (PARTDEF), named after the file, with the file's name for reference. Imported again, the same drawing is placed by the same name, not kept twice; it can be placed on any page.

See this in action

^*Depending on the chosen snap mode, several clicks may be required to define the point parametrically. Read more about Snap Modes

See also: PART, PARTDEF, SWITCHPART, IMPORT, Vector Import Tool.

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