Working with non-CAD-based assembly components
Once an assembly component has been created without CAD, you can edit the assembly structure and associated components using commands in the Assembly Details tab.
An assembly may be created independently from CAD and can contain subcomponents based on CAD models as well as subcomponents that are non-CAD-based. You can manually associate new or existing subcomponents to an active assembly regardless of the assembly’s association to a CAD model.
You may build around an existing CAD-based assembly, create a new assembly component which incorporates CAD-based assembly and part components, or create an entirely virtual assembly component. However, CAD-based assembly structures cannot be contradicted. That is, you can add subcomponents to a CAD-based assembly, but you cannot remove subcomponents (or change their quantity) in the aPriori assembly component(s) based on a CAD model.
aPriori creates assembly structures automatically from a CAD model. When your assembly is not based on a CAD model you have to create the structure manually in the Assembly Details tab. Each manually associated subcomponent (part or assembly, CAD-based or non-CAD-based) displays 
in the Status column.
in the Status column.Virtual assembly structures may also be created using the BOM Loader. For more information, see the aPriori VPE Administration Guide.
To modify an assembly structure
Use the following assembly commands in the Assembly Details tab to create the assembly structure. Right-click a subcomponent within the assembly to display the following options in the context menu:
• Copy – Copies the selected subcomponent for pasting
• Cut – Removes a manually associated subcomponent from an assembly for pasting
• Paste – Inserts cut or copied components to the selected assembly
• Add > Component(s) – Displays the Search window, where you can select one or more components to add to the selected assembly
• Add > New > Part or Assembly – Displays the Create a Virtual Part or Create a Virtual Assembly window, where you can create a new part or assembly subcomponent
• Edit Quantity – Enter a quantity for the selected manually associated subcomponent
• Remove – Remove the selected manually associated subcomponent from the assembly
You can also drag and drop a manually associated subcomponent to move it within the assembly structure.