(The information in this topic contains file-specific information for the "General Import Procedure" covered in the "Importing CAD Data" topic.)
You can have multiple measurement routines reference a single CAD model. If you use large CAD models, to save disk space, you can reference just one .cad file for multiple measurement routines.
You can choose to import a .cad, .draw, or .PlanCAD file.
If you import a .PlanCAD file, the software imports both the plan features and the embedded CAD model.
If PC-DMIS detects changes in the original .PlanCAD file that you're referencing, it asks if you want to use the Change Manager to handle those changes. For information on the Change Manager, see "Updating Inspection Plans with the Change Manager".
The software only reloads the CAD model if the original .plancad file is modified.
You cannot have circular references to .cad files. These result in error messages. For example, an error occurs if you create a measurement routine, import an IGES file, save the measurement routine, and then later attempt to import its own .cad file.
Once imported, you can use the View | CAD Info menu option to view information about a CAD element and display the file path for the referenced CAD file. For information, see "View | CAD Info" in the "Editing the CAD Display" chapter.
Be aware that modifications made to the CAD model, either the original CAD model or a referenced CAD model, are made to all other measurement routines based on that CAD model. For example, if you make changes to the original CAD model, any models referenced from the original are also changed. Conversely, if you make changes to a referenced model, then the original model also has the same changes made.