Support for long file names also now means that files, folders and layers can be given more descriptive names aiding manipulation. Mechanical Desktop extends these capabilities by allowing external parts to be activated and edited within the assembly. When an external part is being edited, all other parts are dimmed to indicate the current mode. The Assembly Catalog shows a hierarchical tree view of local and external files. An XREF part can now be used as a toolbody within a part model without the necessity to create an assembly as was the case in previous versions.
Part editing also uses a browser showing the hierarchical construction history.
Although this gives access to edit feature parameters, it is not possible to rotate the model on screen to improve visibility while an edit dialog is on screen. Similarly a feature is outlined on the model when it is selected in the browser but not once edit mode is entered. Feature dimensions appear instead but these do not necessarily aid visualisation of the entire feature. The edit mode itself is inconsistent between feature types with dialogs appearing for features such as extrudes but only dimensions on screen for fillets limiting editability to just radius size rather than the edge selection set or fillet type without recreating the fillet from scratch. Dynamic editing of sketch profiles is well implemented however allowing grips to be dragged within the applied constraints.