Defining Current Objects

Defining an object as current allows you not to take the complete 3D shape into account. This proves useful for the analysis or the better understanding of the design.

What is a Current Object ?

A current object is a feature or a geometrical element indicating the location for the next object you will create, in the specification tree. New objects are created just below the current object. Once created, a new element in turn becomes the current object.

A current object also allows you to restrict the view of the 3D shape to some features only. Defining an object as current affects the 3D area. The application shows all the features located above the current object included, in the specification tree, not the features located below the current object.

There is always only one current object in the specification tree.

How to Define Current Objects

Current objects can be defined as current in two ways:


  • By using the Define in Work Object contextual command. For some reasons, you may want to define objects as current yourself. You can do that using the Define in Work Object contextual capability as explained above.
  • Automatically: when creating features, the application automatically defines objects as current. When editing features (double-clicking them), these features become current too.

More About Define in Work Object

You should keep in mind the following:


  • When deleting a current object, the feature located just above it becomes the current object.

  • Some objects cannot be defined as current. These objects are (non-exhaustive list):

    • 3D shapes
    • Sketcher elements
    • Reference planes
    • Relations
    • Constraints etc.

  • Define in Work Object is available for geometrical sets, but not for objects located within geometrical sets.