PDXpert PLM Software
Application Note
Switching an existing item to a different type
Last update 2020-12-15
An item's assigned Part Type or Document Type permanently defines that item's attributes and behaviors. These include how the item number is assigned, its revision format and custom attributes, whether it displays a References or Files list, and similar rules. After the item is created, its Type cannot be changed. However, if you discover the original item has been assigned the wrong Type, its data can be copied into the correct Type to replace the original item.
This application note describes how to entirely replace one item with a similar item using a different type:
- Convert an existing item to a new Part Type or Document Type that will replace the original.
- Use the new item wherever the previous item has been used in BOM, Sources and References lists. If you wish, move the original part or document Number to the new item.
- Process a change form to update the affected items.
The goal is to simply change the type, so it's expected that the replacement item is interchangeable with the incorrect item.
Before using this procedure, you should understand the effects of converting an item; enabling the help topics mentioned.
setting; and removing or canceling the original item. See theConvert your item into the preferred type
- Open the saved item that you want to convert. We'll call this the old item.
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On the new item. The old item data is copied into the new item record with the new type's rules.
menu, select the command. Select the desired type of the -
Assign the new item a part number or document number.
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If you want the new item to use the number that's been assigned to the old item, then modify the copied number on the new item to make it unique. For example, if the old item number is 123456, then add a temporary suffix to the copied value, like 123456-NEW.
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If you don't want the new item to use the old item number, then replace the copied number with a new number.
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Continue editing the new item as needed, then lock the record (F2).
Replace your old item
Replace the old item on higher-level pending or released parent items using one of the following options. The parent items are shown on the Appears On lists of the old item. If there are no parent items shown on any of the old item Appears On lists, then skip steps 1 and 2 and just do step 3.
Option A. Replacing an old item that's never been released
If the old item has only one iteration, and that iteration is in a Pending state:
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Remove the old item from any in-process change forms that it appears on.
You may need to move the change form state to Submitted or Originated using the menu. If the change form is no longer needed, then delete the change: menu | command.
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On each pending parent item's BOM, Sources and References lists, remove the old item and add the new item.
The Markup Wizard tool BOM lists and/or document References lists.
option can update many part -
If you want the new item to use the number that's been assigned to the old item, then:
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Select the old item and then select the menu | command to detete the item.
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Unlock the new item. Remove the temporary suffix so that it now uses the old item number (123456).
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Option B. Replacing a released or canceled old item
If the old item has at least one Released or Canceled iteration:
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Remove the old item from any in-process change forms that it appears on.
You may need to move the change form state to Submitted or Originated using the menu. If the change form is no longer needed, then delete the change: menu | command.
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On each parent's BOM, Sources and References lists, remove the old item and add the new item.
Create a new pending iteration for each released parent item. Ignore all canceled parent iterations.
The Markup Wizard tool BOM lists and/or document References lists.
option can update many part -
If you want the new item to use the number that's been assigned to the old item, then:
You must have a role with administrator permissions to perform these steps.
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Use the
menu to enable the setting. -
Unlock the old item record, and replace the current number (for example, 123456) with a similar value that tells users that the item isn't useable, such as 123456-ERROR or OLD-123456. Lock the item.
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Clear the
setting. -
Unlock the new item. Remove the temporary suffix so that it now uses the old item number (123456). Continue editing the new item as needed, then lock the item.
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Process the affected items
Process a change form for the items that are affected by these activities:
- Release the new item.
- Release any parent items that have been revised, replacing the old item with the new item.
- Cancel the previously released old item, if it wasn't removed earlier. This blocks its use on other parent items.
You can cancel the old item on the same change form that releases the new item and the parent items' pending iterations.
Help guide topics
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Menu reference > Edit menu > Snapshot Convert…
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Menu reference > Item menu > Remove Object
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How to do other tasks > Use Administrator Override
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How to work with parts > How to start a part > Snapshot a part
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How to work with parts > Add, modify or remove BOM parts
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How to work with parts > Add or remove approved sources
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How to work with parts > Add or remove a part's references
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How to work with parts > Cancel a released part
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How to work with documents > How to start a document > Snapshot a document
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How to work with documents > Add or remove a document's references
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How to work with documents > Cancel a released document
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How to revise multiple markups > Use Markup Wizard
This application note was relevant to the PDXpert software release that was current at time of publication. Product changes since that time may affect its utility. We'd be happy to assist you in assessing the applicability of this note to your situation.
Working within PDXpert
- Designing an engineering change process and workflow
- Server: Fast file content searches using IFilters
- Server: Scheduled backup for the database and library
- Server: Running several PDXpert Application Servers on the same network
- Batch Import: Preparing file attachments for import
- Batch Import: Converting a PDX package for PDXpert
- Batch Import: Keep settings, remove test item records
- Batch Import: Creating release sets for imported data
- Batch Import: Bulk replacing item attributes
- PDX package: Compare all product data, not just the BOM
- PDX package: IPC-2570 package implementation
- PDX package: IPC-2570 security signing and password extensions
- Adding a custom SQL Server report to PDXpert
- Adding a custom SQL Server report to PDXpert 8.0 to 11.2
- Designing email notice templates
- Including labor time and cost in assemblies
- Materials management for regulatory compliance
- Switching an existing item to a different type
- What's the difference between Item Revision State and Item Lifecycle Phase?
- Copying an assembly BOM to another assembly
- PDXpert permissions: User access design
Working with other software applications
- Using Altium Designer EDA software with the PDXpert client
- Using Altium Designer EDA software with the PDXpert server
- Using Cadence OrCAD Capture CIS with the PDXpert client
- Using Cadence OrCAD Capture CIS with the PDXpert server
- Using Pulsonix EDA software with the PDXpert server
- Importing a CAD bill of materials into PDXpert PLM software
- MRP/ERP data transfer options with PDXpert PLM software
- Exporting PDXpert PLM parts, BOM & sources to MRP/ERP
- Importing Trilogy Design Parts&Vendors data into PDXpert
- Exporting a bill of materials from PDXpert to Visio