Replacing Content Center Family Template

Creating custom Inventor Content Center Libraries (CCL) is one method of configuring an existing CCL to match the standards of your company.  You can add an ERP number, change the part number so the parts list reflect your naming standards or editing out all the entries you just do not need.  I know one company that removes all of the fine thread fasteners from their custom ANSI socket head cap screw library.  This article will outline the process of replacing the family template of a custom CCL.

First of all what does replacing the family template do.  Well it all depends on your imagination.  Basically any parametric feature(s) and property change or addition can be added to all the members in one quick operation.  Below are three examples.  The structural angle is configured with parametrically controlled holes on both legs.  In one library a standard ANSI library CCL was copied and a parametric pin end was added and in another one the dull battleship gray color was changed to polished gunmetal.  Keep in mind that all these additions were made to a custom CCL in just one click for every member of library.

I will be using the addition of the pin end to a standard CCL as my example.  All the steps from this point on required you to have CCL administrative rights.  I will be using an Inventor desktop CCL but a Vault CCL would follow the same process.  The first step is to create a read-write CCL  to created your custom CCL within.  This is done from the Inventor Project file manager.

Next step will be to make a copy of the standard CCL I will be modifying into my custom CCL BtDB.  This is done in the CCL editor which is found under the Tools tab, Content Center panel if you do not have a file open.   You can also find it under the Manage tab if you have a file open.

In the Editor, find the standard CCL you want to copy.  In my case, I am using the ANSI Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw - Inch.  Right click on the library and choose "Save Copy As..

In the Save Copy As dialog box, make sure you are creating an "Independent family".  Fill out the other fields to suit you needs.  Below are my entries, just make sure they are unique.  If you have more than one custom CCL also be sure to select the one you want to publish to in the first field.  Select "OK" to continue and start the copy.

Navigate to the new Library View and right click on the custom CCL you just created.  Select "Family Properties" from the context menu.  

This step is optional but I highly recommend it in order to make easier to manage and search for your custom CCL.  Fill in the three marked fields with your company name or abbreviation.   Select "OK" to finish and then "Done" in the lower right corner of the Content Center Editor to exit the application.

The next step is to create one custom part from you new CCL to parametrically modify.  This is done by simply placing a custom CCL part from you new library into an assembly and saving it with a special name.  In my case since I am adding a parametric pin end, I want to create the smallest screw in the library so my parameters will fit all larger members of the library.  I deleted a lot of screws, which my company does not use, so the smallest screw is a #8.  I will choose a #8 x 1" LG since I want some length to work with.

The next step is to add the parametric pin to the saved screw making sure to give the parameters descriptive names to make it easier to edit later during placement.  Below are my three parameters.  At this point you can add an iLogic global form to help with the sizing of the screw, this is purely optional.  Once finished, save and close the file.

The last step is to apply the parametric part to the entire custom CCL which will add the parametric features and any modified or custom properties.  Open up the Content Center Editor from the Tools tab as you did before and navigate to your custom CCL library entry.  Right click on it and select "Replace Family Template" from the context menu. 

Browse to your parametric part you just saved and then select "Open" to continue.  Be patient at this point and wait for the following dialog to appear.  You may receive a warning about a style library mismatch, just select "OK" to move forward.

You are all done.  Open up an assembly and try out your handiwork.  Remember, if you place a larger screw than the template part, it will look strange until you edit the parameters to suit.  Enjoy.