You can lock, unlock, or break the external references of components or features created in the context of an assembly and the external references of various types of derived parts.
When you lock the external references on a component, the existing references no longer update and you cannot add any new references to that component.
Once you unlock the external references, you can add new references or edit the existing references.
When you break the external references, the existing external references no longer update and cannot be restored. You can add new references to the component.
You can replace broken sketch relations with sketch relations that do no reference the assembly.
You can select a single item and list all its external references. You can lock, unlock, or break them all at once.
You can select the top-level assembly or a subassembly and list all components within its hierarchy that contain external references. (The individual references themselves are not listed.) You can lock, unlock, or break external references for all components listed or for just the ones you select.
To lock, unlock, or break the external references:
- In the FeatureManager design tree:
- For an individual item, right-click the feature, component, body, or part.
- For all items within the hierarchy of a subassembly, right-click the subassembly.
- For all items within the hierarchy of the entire assembly, right-click the assembly name at the top of the tree.
- Click List External Refs.
This operation is only available for items that have external references.
- View information and set options in the External References For dialog box.
Options vary depending on whether you selected an individual item or an assembly.
- Click OK.
You also have the option to not create external references when designing in the context of an assembly. See Controlling Creation of External References.