This section describes part instances, how they relate to the original part, how you link and exclude part instances, and how you use them to create the assembly. The following topics are covered:

• “Understanding the relationship between models, parts, instances, and assemblies,” Section 13.3.1

• “What is the difference between a dependent and an independent part instance?,” Section 13.3.2

• “How do I decide whether to create a dependent or an independent part instance?,” Section 13.3.3

• “Changing from a dependent to an independent part instance or vice versa,” Section 13.3.4

• “Linking part instances between models,” Section 13.3.5

• “Excluding part instances from an analysis,” Section 13.3.6

• “Sets and part instances,” Section 13.3.7