Deep copy/Replace referenced part FAQ

What does it mean when the system says I have to "replace the referenced part"?

You may encounter a disabled button that is not usually disabled, accompanied by a tooltip that looks something like:

"You cannot ______ because the part is referenced by multiple quote items; to do so, replace the referenced part with a new version."

Below is an example of an action, switching the primary file, where you may encounter this situation:

This means that the part you are working on is currently being referenced by multiple quote items, and the action you are trying to perform is blocked because it will manipulate data that is being referenced in other quote items. This includes if the part is being quoted multiple times within the same quote.

To create an exclusive set of data for just the quote item you are currently working on to reference, you must replace the referenced part with a new version. Alternatively, you can perform a "Deep copy quote item" action that will generate a new quote item with an exclusive copy of the part data, where you can make your edits there. Both of these actions will create a new part in your part library. To replace the referenced part with a new version or deep copy a quote item, you can use one of two actions by clicking the 3 dots on the left sidebar: "Deep copy quote item" or "Replace referenced part with new version".

What is the difference between "Deep copy quote item" and "Replace referenced part with new version"?

"Deep copy quote item" will create a new entry in your part library and create a new quote item directly beneath the quote item you have copied:

You should use "Deep copy quote item" when you are using a "template part" workflow, where you have similar parts in the same quote package, and you want to use the structure and data from a part you just created as a starting point for another line item.

"Replace referenced part with new version" will create a new entry in your part library, but it will not create a new quote item:

You should use "Replace referenced part with new version" when you want to manipulate data on the part within the quote item you are currently working on. This will be most commonly used after you have copied a quote, made a revision of a quote, or added a part to a quote from the part library.

Why do I even need to replace the referenced part with a new version?

You need to replace the referenced part with a new version because the action you are trying to perform will manipulate data stored on the part that is being referenced in other quote items. A part is where the primary file, geometry, and assembly structure is stored. When you are quoting a part, you are actually working with an object called a component. A component is where all of your materials, operations, and other pricing logic lives. This pricing logic references the underlying data stored on the part to automatically populate variables like volume, bend count, quantity per assembly, etc. In the quotes page, doing certain actions like switching the primary file, merging line items, making/converting to assemblies, or updating the assembly structure is actually changing data at the part level as well as at the component level. To preserve the data associated with other quote items, we require that you have an underlying referenced part that is only referenced by a single quote item to perform these types of actions. Replacing the referenced part with a new version will essentially sever the connection to other quote items, and allow you to manipulate the part data freely.

What actions are disabled if a part is referenced by multiple quote items?

Editing custom part attributes
Manually editing part geometric properties
Upload component file
Add manual sub assembly
Add manual manufactured component
Add manual purchased component
Delete component from flat BOM
Delete node
Switching the primary file
Changing purchased component reference
Converting to purchased component
Converting to manufactured component
Update node quantity
Move node up
Move node down
Make assembly
Merge quote items as supporting files
Merge quote items as components

When will these actions be disabled?

You can run into a situation where you have an underlying part that is referenced by multiple times by doing any of the following actions:

Copying quotes
Making quote revisions
Adding parts to a quote from the part library
Duplicating quote items in a quote

What's the difference between Deep Copy vs. Duplicate Quote Item?

Duplicate Quote Item: This action creates another instance of the quote item. There will not copy the underlying part data, and thus will not create a new entry in your part library.

Deep Copy: This action is essentially re-uploading and copying the part. There will be a new part in your part library after this action is completed. The only quote item associated with this part file will be the one you just created with the action.

I created a copy/revision of my quote, are the items deep copied or duplicated?

Creating a copy or revision of your quote will duplicate the quote items, not deep copy. The part will now exist in both the original and new quote and may require you to manually deep copy the item if attempting to perform one of the actions listed above.

How do I view the other quote(s) a part file exists on?

Navigate to the part viewer and then click on the Quotes/Orders tab ($ icon) in the left navigation. This will list all quotes and orders that the file is tied to, with the quote/order status next to it.

Tip - Are you getting chat notifications and getting confused about which quote it is referring to?