Submodels
Working with submodels
This is good practice for large models or models that re-use certain parts that consist of more than one part and has steps too. A submodel can also have one part and can be used to point out the usage or placement of that part in the instructions. Creating a submodel is easy in an editor like LDCad.
Generally, up to 4 levels of nested submodels are the maximum you should use in LPub3D. You can have more, but that is not recommended.
An LDraw file with submodels is mostly saved as mpd file rather then an ldr file, for example yourmodel.mpd vs. yourmodel.ldr.
Though this is not a necessary or absolute must.
The main model and submodels are mostly stored in one file, but you can have a file reference a separate file to use as submodel, though this is not preferred.
There are 3 options to use a submodel in your layout:
As one step per page (single-step page)
As more then one step per page (multi-step page)
As a callout
Once LPub3D encounters a submodel, the first step of the submodel will be rendered as a single step. Right-click anywhere on a blank space of the page to add next step(s) or convert to a callout.
Examples of usage
Take a look at the official instructions for set 40252.
On page 6, step 6, you start building a typical submodel. The instructions are shown as what we call in LPub3D a multi-step page.
On page 8 step 11 there is even a submodel in a submodel. We call these nested submodels. In this case, a callout is used to show the instructions. Another example is on page 15 step 24. This is a submodel in the main model and shown as a callout.
On page 34 step 51 is a single step submodel to point out where that part is going in the instructions, also shown in a callout.
Practice with set 40252
Continue to work with the file you worked with before or download a version of the file here to work with
In the menu go to Configuration > Build Instructions Setup... > Submodel Display Setup
Check <Show submodel at first step>, <Set as default> and <Add meta command>
Set the border to have Round Corners and left/right margins to 0.5000 (left input field)
Click [OK]
Navigate to page 5 where the first submodel is encountered
Right click on any blank part of the page and choose <Add Next Step>
Right click on the assembly image of step 1 and choose <Add Divider After Step>
Right click on a blank part of the the white box where the complete rendered Submodel is and choose <Change Submodel Placement>
Change Relative To to <Parts List> and click the [Top:Left] button and then [OK]
Save the file to continue working with later lessons
The result should look something like the image below:
Continue to learn about Callouts.
Read and learn more about Page Pointers