Create Scenarios from CAD Files

You can import CAD files into aP Design, to:

• Create a new component and a new scenario.

• Update an existing component and overwrite an existing scenario.

• Update an existing component and create a new scenario. In this case, a new scenario is created and all existing scenarios for the updated component persist.

After you import CAD files, you can then work in aP Design with scenarios and components created from that CAD file.

Update CAD Files

After changing scenarios and components in aP Design, you can update your original CAD file with these changes, including changes to geometry, embedded threading, tolerance, surface roughness, and welding information.

You can update the CAD file for a component using:

• The Update CAD File button on the toolbar of the Explore tab, or the Evaluate tab. See Update a CAD File.

• The Assembly Explorer, if the component is part of an assembly. See Update a CAD File in the Assembly Explorer.

The scenario for the component must be private.

Import Large Assemblies

You can import up to 20 CAD files into aP Design at one time. To import larger assemblies (containing 20+ components), you can:

• Export these files directly from your CAD application to aP Design, using a Cost in aPriori plug-in. See Work with CAD Applications.

• Use successive multi-file imports. If you do this, then aPriori recommends that you import the sub-component CAD files first, starting with the lowest level part files, and working up level-by-level to the top-level assembly.

Topics and Examples