VariCAD enables you to define connections between part files and assembly files. Parts can be created and edited in their own files and then inserted into assemblies. If a part is edited, the change is transferred to all assemblies that contain the part. In addition, you can change a part within the assembly file and update the original part file, as well as other assemblies that contain the part. It is generally faster and more efficient to edit parts in their own files, since there is much less data in these files. But editing within the assembly can be handy if you need to edit only a small detail, especially a detail that affects other parts.
If the current file contains any parts inserted from another files, the file becomes as assembly file, and "Assembly" is displayed on the right side of the Status Bar. If the file contains a part used in an assembly, or an object identified as a part, "Part" appears on the Status Bar.
Using links between parts and assemblies provides many advantages. However, you do not have to use links when working with multiple solids. Unlike other CAD systems, VariCAD provides freedom and flexibility when working with assemblies.
There are several ways to create assembly-part links:
While editing an assembly file, changes can be saved to part files as well as to the current assembly file. When opening an assembly file, the parts are loaded as they were last saved then the parts are updated from the part files. Therefore, if parts are changed after the assembly was saved, the changed parts will be used.
If part files cannot be located, a list of broken assembly links is displayed and you can use the following methods to resolve them:
If you choose not to resolve any links, the parts will remain as they were saved last in the assembly.
VariCAD allows you to work with multiple open files. While working in the assembly file, you can open part files from the assembly. Transferring changes between parts is managed by the following function:
![]() | Assembly Changes Transfer Settings - DSO |
This function enables you to define links between open files - from part to assembly, assembly to part, or both. When changes are transferred, undo-redo history is lost when the file becomes active (windows are switched).
![]() | Open Part File from Assembly - EDE |
Select the part, and its file opens. If the part in an assembly is changed, changes are transferred into a newly open file automatically only if the transfer is allowed (see above).
![]() | Create Link from Part- DIA |
Defines an object as a part and exports it to its own file. The current file becomes the assembly, and the part-assembly link is established.
![]() | Break Link from Part - CSI |
Breaks the assembly link for one group defined by the selected solid.
![]() | Break All Links from Parts - CAI |
Break all part-assembly links in the current assembly. The current document loses the assembly status.
![]() | Create Link to Assembly (Assemblies) - DEE |
Defines the selected object as a part. The current document becomes a part file.
![]() | Break Link to Assembly (Assemblies) - CDE |
Break the part definition. The file is no longer a part file.
![]() | Change Link to Assembly (Assemblies) - ROI |
If a file has a defined part, use this function to define a different part. Corresponding parts in all assemblies are changed according to this selection.
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