These are the basic rules to prevent link problems in CatiaV5.

Never use a file from anywhere other than your working folder.

Never copy an assembly or drawing to or from another folder.

Never copy or rename a folder.

Never work in any folder other than the working folder.

These rules will eliminate ninety percent of the link problems.

When is it ok to copy files?

You can copy individual parts (CATPart files) to your working folder and add them to your assembly from your working folder.

If you are taking over a job from someone else from their C:\jobs folder, just move the entire job folder to your C:\jobs folder. Never use “send to” for this.

These are the only situations that do not require “send to”.

When do I need to use “send to”?

For everything else

If you start a job in your C:\jobs folder and have to move it to S: to share, you have to use “send to”

If a job was started on S: and you want to move it to your C:\jobs folder, you have to use “send to” (this applies to jobs that are actually in process, if there is a new folder with just reference material or engineering you can just move the folder)

If you are adding a standard or purchased part assembly from the library (or anywhere) Open the assembly and use “send to” to send it to your working folder. Close it, and add the assembly from the working folder to your assembly.

Anytime you are making a copy of a job, whether it’s for approval or whatever, you need to use “send to” into the new folder.

Never work in a copied folder. Always work in the working folder.

There is no need to make a ship folder. The job in your working folder is always the latest. When it is finished it should be ready to ship as is.

Revisions

You absolutely MUST use the elaborate procedure on the sheet from Dave. There are no shortcuts!