using features from another program for dimensioning

Another option you may have if you can align to the matching features is use the equate alignment feature.

I had a customer that needed to do a run out of two bearing bored of an assembled gearbox housing but could only measure the housing in assembled. 

you just need to be able to measure both parts and between making the equate alignment on both parts, don’t have any intermediate alignments like a readpoint alignment. This is where I first went wrong but Neil challinor confirmed that when the equate alignment is performed properly, you can dimension across both parts as if they were measured assembled.

Another option you may have if you can align to the matching features is use the equate alignment feature.

I had a customer that needed to do a run out of two bearing bored of an assembled gearbox housing but could only measure the housing in assembled. 

you just need to be able to measure both parts and between making the equate alignment on both parts, don’t have any intermediate alignments like a readpoint alignment. This is where I first went wrong but Neil challinor confirmed that when the equate alignment is performed properly, you can dimension across both parts as if they were measured assembled.

Hey David, is there a specific reason why readpoint alignments shouldn't be used in between equate alignments? We have struggled in the past with Equate, but I did not realize you shoud not use a readpoint alignment in between.

Can you still use a readpoint as long as you do not align to it?

Does that affect how the Original and Equate alignment gets calculated?