# Virtual Assemblies Unopened Reference?

**URL:** <https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [August 27, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408 "2026-08-27T15:44:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408/1 "2026-08-27T15:44:46Z")

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Hi,

I have a file I am making a virtual part, done this with a few hundred assemblies to make up a library for a vendor product line we are using.

I saved all the part and assemblies, then copy the assembly file to a specific directory.

Open the copied Assembly file in new locations, select all parts and sub-assy and make virtual including parts.

I then save and rename parts to remove the “Copy Of” as we have a PDM and file name length has become a issue in the past.

When I look at the find reference I get the following: (NTS16535)

 ![image](https://forum.cadmunity.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2fc4b7ae34e558fb6708d13218dde46f734f8a31.png)

I have deleted all the history in all the sub-assy and tried to purge the configurations in them although nothing shows up.

What am I missing?

Regards,

Jim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/user_avatar/forum.cadmunity.com/jcapriotti/32/24_2.png) [@jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcapriotti)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408/2 "2026-08-27T15:58:12Z")

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Is there a leftover in-context reference to that part in the assembly maybe?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408/3 "2026-08-27T16:31:42Z")

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Hi,

That is why I deleted the history in each sub-assembly hoping it was hung up there but still no luck.

Unless there is something else you are talking about, and if so please elaborate.

Regards,

Jim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/user_avatar/forum.cadmunity.com/jcapriotti/32/24_2.png) [@jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcapriotti)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408/4 "2026-08-27T17:05:03Z")

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Can you show the assembly tree?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/virtual-assemblies-unopened-reference/6408/5 "2026-08-27T17:30:57Z")

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Hi all,

I deleted all of my derived patterns and presto no more rogue links, go figure:

 ![image](https://forum.cadmunity.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/4ac3ab5d3bba216c1bf00619426ac96131604f1d.png)

Solidworks 2020 sp4.0

tree:

 ![image](https://forum.cadmunity.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5baea40c8c68110797f785e5148f49e679a17489.png)

Thanks all for the input

Regards,

Jim