Authoring manufacturing process plans > Managing requirements, trace links, and notes > Linking objects using trace links

About linking objects

A trace link establishes a path in which one object takes precedence over another. The trace link creates a directional relationship between the two objects, a relationship conveyed by the terms defining and complying. The predecessor, the defining object, is the trace link source. The successor, the complying object, is the target.

A defining object specifies a condition that a product or a component must fulfill.
A complying object partially or completely fulfills a condition specified by a defining object. Such a relationship establishes a traceable path in which one object precedes the other.

Only one trace link of a given subtype is allowed between the same two objects in the same direction. However, in a given direction between two objects, you can create as many trace links as the number of available trace link subtypes.

Note

Trace link is a subclass of the allocation class.

For more information about allocations, see Getting Started with Product Structure.