Each user-guided cost model has an associated start part, which provides a sample user-guided costing scenario, including sample values for all required geometric PSOs. Administrators can import these start parts, and then make them available to VPE users.

To import a start part, select Import from the File menu and navigate to the appropriate .ap file.

The imported start parts will have the following names:

Administrators can also create their own start parts for part families or similar types of geometry that may be used frequently within the company. One way to do this is to create a new virtual part, import the settings from an existing start part, and make any necessary changes. Be sure that your start part has values for at least all required PSOs. If you create a start part from scratch, you must perform an initial costing before setting geometric PSOs, in order to make the Process Options Editor available.

Note: Start parts may not reflect the names of the VPEs that you currently have installed at your company. This is indicated by a VPE name with strikethrough text as shown in the following screenshot:

To address this issue, simply save as a new scenario, change to your company's VPE, cost the start part, and save it.