Linked record objects let you use separate but connected items to
represent product structures.
The application saves linked records
in a separate record object that has a primary reference link to a document record.
Primary references are similar to standard references but can also drive field values,
thumbnail images, BOMs, related files, and other references. You can check out and edit
linked references without checking out the primary reference.
Linked records allow companies to have file data stored in SOLIDWORKS PDM that
is controlled by one group but available to other groups with read-only access. For
example, an engineering department controls the file data and a manufacturing department
has read-only access to it.
You can create a linked record from a document record or independently before a
document record exists or is approved. In the latter, a primary reference would not
exist but you can add it later.