What are Internal and External Components in Fusion 360?
Issue:
You would like to know the difference between internal components and external components in Fusion 360.
- What are internal components in Fusion 360?
- What are external components in Fusion 360?
Solution:
Solution:As of the November 2020 Fusion 360 update - The New Component dialog includes the choice of Internal and External.
Internal Components
An Internal Component is a component that is contained entirely within the current design. Internal Components are used with the "Top-Down" assembly technique, where all parts are created in the same design file.
By default, a new internal component will be nested underneath the active component in the Fusion 360 Browser. Use the Parent selector (pictured below) to relocate the component in the Browser.
External Components
An External Component (or xref) is a component that is contained in a separate design and referenced in the current assembly (design file). External Components are used with the "Bottom-Up" assembly technique, where all parts are separate design files that come together in a single assembly file.
External Components are the same as using "Insert Into Current Design" to place a design file (component) within another design file.
External components require a Location (of the Data Panel) where the individual file will be saved. Select the location selector option to change where the file will be saved. By default, a new external component will be nested underneath the active component in the Fusion 360 Browser. Use the Parent selector (pictured below) to relocate the component in the Browser.
Edit External Components
Use Edit in Place (hover over the component in the browser > select pencil icon) to edit external components within the context of an active design file. Alternatively, open the separate design file to edit without the context of the assembly.