Create an Item

Create non-model file-based items using the New Item command.

Creating new items allows you to track items that are not modeled yet but that are required to fully describe the finished product. Items may be purchased parts, consumables (e.g., grease or fluids), documentation, or packaging. You can enter item attributes and attach files managed by the vault to the new item. Items can be added to the BOM of another item using the BOM editing functionality.

User-defined items can be designated as one of the following:

• Assembly: the item represents a group of designs. For example, to create a group of parts, such as a repair kit that is shipped with a product.
• Document: the item represents information that needs to be tracked, such as a design specification or set of instructions.
• Electrical: item represents a component of an AutoCAD Electrical project.
• Electrical Project: item represents an AutoCAD Electrical project.
• General: an item type that does not meet another classification.
• Part: item represents a part without an associated CAD file. Select when creating non-modeled parts.
• Process: item represents a process, such as heat treatment where an attached file has the specification.
• Product: item represents an entire product.
• Purchased: item represents a part to be purchased

Note: Custom item categories that are created using the Item Categories dialog are also available in the list.

An item number based on the default item number format is generated. The item number can be edited after the item has been created in the item master.

Create a New Item

1. Select the Item Master view.
2. Click New on the tool bar.

   If the administrator has granted you permission to assign item categories, select a category and click OK to continue to the new item record.

   The default item category is Document. To change the item category, click the drop-down arrow and select a new category.

3. In the Item Title text box, enter an item title.
4. In the Item Description text box, enter a brief description of the item.
5. From the Units drop-down list, select the default units for the item.
6. To attach files in the vault to the item, select the Actions menu > Attachments. The files attached to the item are displayed in the Associated Files list. Click attach and browse to the file that you want to associate with the item.

   Item properties and BOM data is extracted from the file and the item record is updated with the new data.

   If Assign Items to Children is turned on, items are automatically created for children files.

   Note: No items are created for file components. These components are added to the BOM as excluded and unassigned rows.
7. To link a file to the item, perform one of the following actions:
   • Right-click in the Associated Files box and select Add Link. Browse to the files that you want to link to the item and click Open.
   • Drag-and-drop files into the Associated Files field.
   • Copy a file from the vault and paste it into the Associated Files field.
   The first file added in the Associated Files field will be the primary link to the item. Additional files are secondary links. If multiple files are added at the same time, a random file is selected as a primary link. If a primary link already exists, all additional files become secondary links.

   Note: AutoCAD Mechanical Users–If the AutoCAD Mechanical file has no top-level assembly or has more than one component, the file is attached to the item instead of linked to the item. If the file has a top-level assembly, the assembly becomes the primary link to the item. If the file has no assembly but has only one component, the component becomes the primary link.
8. Right-click in the Properties list and elect Modify Attached Properties to attach properties to the new item.
   Note: If you recently saved the item record, you must click Edit to continue making modifications to the record.
9. Click Save to save your changes.

   If desired, proceed to the other item record tabs to add comments, turn on items in the bill of materials, or add the item to a change order.

10. When finished, click Save and Close.
11. If you want to keep the record open but want to be able to edit other items, click Exit Edit Mode.