While you can add all the geometry from the selected file, you cannot add selective geometry from the file. However, you can set the import profile options to filter data before you add geometry from another file to the standard import feature. If you reset profile options such as Use templates, Import type, and Enable ATB, the changed settings are not valid when you add geometry to the import feature because the profile options are valid only during the initial import of the models.

All geometry from the selected file creates a new node in the Geometry and Topology Structure (GTS) tree. The added geometry uses the same placement coordinate system as the import feature or the default location of the model. If you select a coordinate system in the import feature before you add geometry, the new geometry is placed with reference to the coordinate system in the selection buffer. You can click Placement on the Add From File dialog box and select a coordinate system for the new geometry or asynchronously create a coordinate system as the placement reference for the new geometry.

Editing the geometry of the new node in Import DataDoctor (IDD) is optional. You can delete the surfaces and other entities of the existing geometry and move surfaces and other entities from the newly added node to replace the deleted surfaces and entities. You can also use IDD to edit data in the new node that you do not require and sew the newly added surfaces to the old quilts.

If you add geometry from a file to an ATB-enabled import feature, the added geometry is lost when you update the feature using the ATB Update command. Therefore, to retain the added geometry, you must first make sure that the import feature is not ATB-enabled.