Save a copy of part but reference orignal part

[ptc-5471878]

I have 3 similar parts to design. So I decided to make one part that has features that all three parts share. Now I want to be able to copy this base part 3 times and start adding features unique to each of the three parts. The issue I am having a problem with is I also want those 3 copied parts to reference the base part. So if I change a feature in the base part then my 3 unique parts will also update.

How do I copy the base part 3 times and have those copies reference the original part?

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[DARYLREECE · Accepted solution]

You want to look into Merge/Inheritance. You'd have the parent part and then pass the features to the 3 parts by using Insert, Shared Data, Merge/Inheritance.

[TomD.inPDX]

...or learn more about family tables. This allows you to make unique parts within one file if they enough alike to manage it this way.

[Dale_Rosema]

How unique are the 3 parts from each other. If you have a lot of differences, I probably would not go with family tables (and I use them frequently). If they are fairly similar with only a few differences, then that would be a good option and the "generic" would be a hodge podge of all the feature on the part and you just turn on/off the features in the family table.

Thanks, Dale

[ptc-5471878]

Thanks for the help everyone. I've done a little be with family tables and the parts are not that different from each other so I will probably go that route. Going to take a look at the merge/inheritance first though.

Thanks Again!