#### Referencing One CAD File for Multiple Part Programs

In previous versions of PC-DMIS, creating a new part program that used the same IGES file as other part programs automatically created a new .cad file. In version 3.5 and above you can have multiple parts reference a single .cad file. This is especially useful for multiple part programs that use the same CAD model. If you are using large CAD models, you can save a substantial amount of disk space by referencing just one CAD file for multiple part programs.

To reference a .cad file used in another part program:

1. Select the File | Import | CAD By Reference... menu option. An Open dialog box appears.

2. Navigate to the directory containing the file to import.

3. Click Import when ready to import the file. PC-DMIS will import the CAD file.

4. Follow the instructions in the "To Import a Data File into a Part Program" topic in this chapter, and when the Import Data dialog box appears, select CAD Reference as the data type for importation, then continue with the importation process.

Note: Circular references to .cad files aren't possible and will always display an error message. An error would occur, for example, if you created a new part program, imported an IGES file, saved the part program, and then later attempted to import its own .cad file.

Once imported, using the View | CAD Info menu option to view information about a CAD element will display the file path for the referenced CAD file (see "Viewing CAD Information" in the "Editing the CAD Display" chapter).

Note: Be aware that modifications made to the CAD model¾either the original CAD model or a referenced CAD model¾will be made to all other part programs based on that CAD model. For example, if you make changes to the original CAD model, any models referenced from the original will have the same changes made. Conversely, if you make changes to a referenced model, then the original model also has the same changes made.