Work with Item File Links

When files are assigned to Items, they are given specific Item File Link types. The Item File Link type defines how the Item relates to the linked file.

After a link has been created you can modify the link type or remove the link. Removing the link will disassociate the file from the Item.

Note: Item File Links are not the same as attaching a file to an item. For more information regarding attaching files to items please see Attach a File to an Item in the previous section.

Item File Link Types

Primary  A file with a primary link is the primary definition for the Item. Properties are read from this file on Item assign and update. Properties can be written back to the file as well. When the Item is released the primary link file will be locked. A state change cannot be executed if the link needs updating.
Secondary    A file with a secondary link is a secondary or duplicate definition for the Item. Properties are not read from this file on Item updates, though properties can be written back to the file. When the Item is released the secondary link file will be locked. A state change cannot be executed if the link needs updating.
Primary Subcomponent(Vault Professional 2013)    A file containing the primary definition for a subcomponent. Properties are read from and can be written back this file. When the Item is released the file will be locked.  A state change can be executed if the link needs updating.
Secondary Subcomponent(Vault Professional 2013) A file containing a secondary or duplicate definition for a subcomponent. Properties are not read from this file, though properties can be written back to the file. When the Item is released the file will be locked.  A state change can be executed if the link needs updating.
Standard Component     A file with a Standard Component link contains standard content. Properties are read for the Standard Component only at Item assign, and properties are written back to the file. When the Item is released the file is locked. Subcomponents also receive Standard Component links.
Tertiary    A file with a tertiary link is a design document file such as an .idw, .ipn, or .dwg file. These links are automatically assigned when the corresponding model file is assigned to Item. Files with Tertiary links are locked when the Item is released.

Subcomponent Links

Subcomponents are components which are not defined by a single unique file, but instead are defined internally as part of a file. Subcomponents can be virtual components in Inventor, or part references and structured components in AutoCAD Mechanical. Subcomponents are often defined multiple times in many different files and assemblies.

A subcomponent link is established when a part (component) is defined within a file, but it is not the component defined by the file.

For example, in AutoCAD Mechanical, the user can have a whole assembly drawn and defined in one file. The assembly would receive a primary link to an item because the file is the definition of the assembly. All subassemblies and parts in the assembly would get subcomponent links from the assembly file to items.

In Inventor you can get subcomponents by using virtual parts. For instance, a user may add a virtual part for grease to their assembly. There is no physical part file modeled for grease, so it is solely defined within the assembly. That virtual grease component would receive a subcomponent from the assembly file to an item.

Primary and Secondary Subcomponent Link Rules

There are primary and secondary subcomponent links. 

If a file is assigned to an item, and a subcomponent is found for which there is no existing Item, then a Primary Subcomponent link will be assigned to the file. If a pre-existing item is found then a Secondary Subcomponent link will be assigned.

If a Primary Subcomponent is later defined in its own file, then a Primary link will be assigned to the new file and the Primary Subcomponent link will change automatically to a Secondary Subcomponent link.

Basic Item File Link Tasks

Follow these instructions to perform basic Item File Link tasks. 

Change an Item File Link Type

  1. Select an Item in the Item Master.
  2. Right-click and select Edit...
  3. Select the General tab in the Item dialog.
  4. In the Associated files: field select the file for which you would like to change the link type.
  5. Right-click and select a different link type.
  6. Save and close the Item.
Note: Tertiary link types cannot be modified.

Remove an Item File Link

  1. Select an Item in the Item Master.
  2. Right-click and select Edit...
  3. Select the General tab in the Item dialog.
  4. In the Associated files: field select the file for which you would like to remove the link to the Item.
  5. Right-click and select Remove Link.
  6. Save and close the Item.
Note: Tertiary link types cannot be removed as described above.

Remove a Tertiary Link to a .IDW

  1. Select an Item in the Item Master.
  2. Select the General tab.
  3. In the Associated files: field select the .idw file for which you would like to remove the link to the Item.
  4. Right-click and select Go to Folder.
  5. Open and check out the .idw file.
  6. Delete all views for the part or assembly to which the Item is assigned.
  7. Save and check in the .idw file.
  8. Go to the Item Master and select the Item.
  9. Right-click and select Update. After update is complete the link to the .idw file will be removed from the Item.
Parent topic: Items