Steve,
I'll try to answer your question by giving an examples of how each of these link types can be used.
Standard Components - Standard Components exist in applications like AutoCAD Mechanical. If you create an instance of a Content Center bolt, then a component for that bolt is fully defined in the assembly. In theory, you could have thousands of drawings that all contain the exact same bolt component definition. Since these definitions should never change, the standard component link did not care if it was up to date when changing the state of the linked item. Note: This is now configurable in the new lifecycle engine. (see below)
Inventor doesn't use standard components. Instead it creates a single ipt file for the bolt and has the various iam files reference the ipt file.
Subcomponents - CAD files usually have a single root level component that is the main reason for the file's existence. These files can also contain subcomponents that help flesh out the BOM for that component. Virtual components and part references are examples of subcomponents that can be created in a CAD file. Often, customers want the root component and subcomponent links to be treated differently.
In Vault Professional 2016, you can select specific link types on the lifecycle transition actions for:
- Check that associated item file links are up to date.
- Check that associated item file links are released.
Example: I have an IAM file with a virtual component called Grease. I assign item to the file. This creates an item for the assembly and another item called Grease. The assembly item has a primary link to the assembly component in the file. Grease has the file's virtual component as its primary subcomponent link.
As an admin, I could set the transition actions up so that:
- I can only release the assembly item if the link is current and the iam file is released
- I could release the Grease item even if the link is stale and the iam file is in any state.
Bill Schwerin
Autodesk
Sr Principal Engineer
