Use the Create Reference function to create, or insert, a new reference in a file. Using this feature, you are able to select a design file in which to create a new reference, and dictate how and where the reference is to be placed, through the Creating a New Part Reference dialog box that appears during the process. All new entities created will be added to the active level of the referenced part. As per standard operation, if the active level is not marked as visible in part reference display (Ref Display), the entities will not be visible once they have been added.

Part references, when created (inserted), can be defined associatively, in terms of orientation, rotation, and origin as you will see below. If the Warn about associations when deleting entities setting under Tools>Options>Misc is enabled, you will be warned when you attempt to delete an entity to which a part reference is associated. If the association is broken, however, the part reference will retain the orientation, rotation, and/or origin that it held at the time the association was broken.

Placing a Reference:

The settings that determine how a part reference is to be placed are specified in the Options tab of the Creating a New Part Reference dialog box. Once the settings have been configured, follow the steps below to manually place the part reference in the design file.

Indicate a reference base point for the reference, using the Universal Position Menu. Note that the origin of the referenced file is placed at the base point of the reference.

Indicate a point on the X axis. Note that you will not be required to input a point on the X axis if the Key In Rotation option was used to specify placement through the Creating a New Part Reference dialog box.

The reference will be placed where you specify, and at the rotation specified through the Options page of the Creating a New Part Reference dialog.

Circular References:

The following is an example of a circular reference: Part A references Part B. In model mode of Part B there is a reference to Part A. Since references only see the model mode geometry, Part B can have a reference in a layout to Part A without creating a circular reference. Another example would be: Part A references B, which references C, which references D, which also references A.

When a part reference is added that causes a circular reference, an error dialog is displayed. A warning is also displayed when you load or unsuppress a part reference that causes a circular reference. In both instances, the reference that created the circular reference is suppressed.