In CAD-Independent mode, aPriori retrieves the component’s geometry from the imported CAD file. Once a component’s geometry has been saved in the aPriori database, you can work with the component in file-connected or in file-disconnected mode.

In file-connected mode, aPriori locates the CAD file that provides the component’s geometry and constantly monitors the state of this file. Any change in the CAD file is immediately reflected in aPriori, which allows you to refresh component’s GCDs as soon as component’s geometry changes. You can perform any aPriori operation that requires regenerating GCDs on a file-connected component.

In file-disconnected mode, you work only with component’s data saved in aPriori database. In this mode you cannot refresh component’s GCDs, thus you are limited to those aPriori operations that do not require regenerating GCDs.

Note that with 2-Model Machining (see the chapter 2-Model Machining Process Group in the aPriori Professional Cost Model Guide), you must be CAD-file connected to both the source and finished CAD models in order to extract GCDs. If you change the source scenario specified in the Production Scenario tab of the Cost Guide, both the new source scenario and the current finished scenario should be CAD-file connected; if either is not, aPriori disables Save for the current finished scenario, and any subsequent costing relies on GCDs extracted using the old source scenario.