Object Relationships
Windchill connects product data objects using relationships. You can use data relationships to quickly navigate to all of the information that is relevant to your work.
What is a relationship?
A relationship creates a two-way connection between two database objects. In general, relationships are named and each direction-specific connection is described using a short word or phrase. For example, in a reference relationship, one object references an object while the other object is referenced by the object. Relationships also store attribute information about the connection between two objects.
How are relationships viewed?
Object relationships of many kinds are viewed in tables, expandable structures, and reports throughout Windchill.
To view, create or remove relationships, navigate to the information page for the object and select one of the following tabs:
• Related Objects
• Structure
 | If the Related Objects tab does not appear on the information page, create a new tab to display the Customize menu. Use this menu to display any available Related Objects information tables. |
What relationships exist?
Windchill parts and documents can be related to each other in various ways:
Relationship Name | Relationship Directions | Description |
|---|---|---|
Description | Describes and Described By | Connects a specific version (revision and iteration) of one object to a specific version of another. This relationship can be carried forward when one object is iterated, but changes when one object is revised. For more information, see Version-Specific Part Documentation. Valid object relationships: • Documents and CAD documents describe parts. • Parts are described by documents and CAD documents. To create or remove a description relationship, navigate to the Related Objects tab on the object information page. Use the add  and remove  actions available on the Describes or Describes By table. |
Reference | References and Referenced By | Connects an object to the latest or latest released version of another object. For more information, see Document References and Version-Independent Part Documentation. Valid object relationships: • Documents reference and are referenced by other documents. • Document reference parts. • Parts are referenced by documents and CAD documents. To create or remove a reference relationship, navigate to the Related Objects tab on the object information page. Use the add and remove actions available on the References or Referenced By table. |
Usage | Uses and Where Used | Connects objects in a structure as parent and child objects. Valid object relationships: • parts You can manage these relationships from the Uses table under the Structure tab on the object information page. Under the Related Objects tab, the Where Used table displays the parent object. |