# Link between variables and geometry breaks upon merging history

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [September 10, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376 "2025-09-10T01:02:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MarkLucas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@MarkLucas](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/MarkLucas)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/1 "2025-09-10T01:02:41Z")

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I have a box with holes in different locations on four sides. I want all the holes to be the same size, but I also want the ability to adjust the hole size for tolerances without having to manually update each hole individually.

My current solution is:

- Variable **‘A’** for the minimum hole size (with no tolerance)
- Variable **‘B’** for the tolerance (which I can change as needed).
- All hole sizes are set to **A + B**.

This works as expected. However, after merging my history and checking the **‘Keep Variables’** box, the link between the holes and these variables seems to break - the holes no longer update when I change the variable values.

Additional Notes:

- I would like to keep the variable for hole tolerance separate.
- Large assembly (cannot reliably keep sketches / history)
- I also tried variable ‘C’ = A+B then setting all holes = ‘C’ but same issue

Any advice appreciated.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 7:17am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/2 "2025-09-10T07:17:56Z")

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If you delete items (by merge) to where you applied variable shouldn’t it disconnect?

So the variable tables are there for you to reconnect.

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**Author:** ![Xdrakosha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/xdrakosha/32/24881_2.png) [@Xdrakosha](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Xdrakosha)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 7:59am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/3 "2025-09-10T07:59:34Z")

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> [@MarkLucas](#):
>
> However, after merging my history and checking the **‘Keep Variables’** box, the link between the holes and these variables seems to break - the holes no longer update when I change the variable values.

For me it even sounds logical. You asked to keep the variables, so they did 🙂  
But now there are no actions in the list, so how can these variables be connected to the objects?

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**Author:** ![BKE](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/bke/32/31690_2.png) [@BKE](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BKE)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 11:41am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/4 "2025-09-10T11:41:44Z")

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> the variable tables are there for you to reconnect.

How do I _reconnect_? Variable to sketch, OK. But then sketch to object?

> how can these variables be connected to the objects?

By retaining the pertinent action or actions? Getting pretty useless in my environment otherwise.

This is the reason I seldom use variables. Large projects (thousands of actions) would not be manageable without merging. If I use them, It is only for a small portion of a larger project that then needs to be exported and imported, which makes for a less than ideal workflow.

My 2¢

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarkLucas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@MarkLucas](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/MarkLucas)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 11:54am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/5 "2025-09-10T11:54:55Z")

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Thanks for the input.

I thought - or hoped - that keeping variables would also keep any of their pre-existing links/relations. Is there any way to easily reconnect them, or would I have to reassign each hole manually?

My project is too large to keep the history; I just want an easy way to update the hole size(s) without having to keep the entire project history which will continue to grow.

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**Author:** ![Xdrakosha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/xdrakosha/32/24881_2.png) [@Xdrakosha](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Xdrakosha)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 12:48pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/6 "2025-09-10T12:48:52Z")

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> [@MarkLucas](#):
>
> Is there any way to easily reconnect them, or would I have to reassign each hole manually?

It depends on the workflow. First what came to my mind is using offset tool on all holes and assigning variable B to it. But would be better to set B to zero before merging.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/7 "2025-09-10T13:54:27Z")

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> [@BKE](#):
>
> How do I _reconnect_? Variable to sketch, OK. But then sketch to object?

If we are talking about a hole, hole has dimensions. Variable that was linked to the sketch can be added directly to a hole. But I don’t actually know what the problem area looks like, maybe it’s more complex

> [@BKE](#):
>
> This is the reason I seldom use variables. Large projects (thousands of actions) would not be manageable without merging.

Honestly I wouldn’t use Shapr3d for large projects, I learned that lesson the hard way, by working on a stadium model. Tons of layers of repeating patterns, had to split the model/file into levels, had scale issue since files were separate! Because Shapr doesn’t provide a great way manage your workflow, everything is just unnecessary workaround compared to competition. 😃 But learned the app real quick!

**If you need variables back you can rollback on versions, maybe try to simplify from there.**

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BKE](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/bke/32/31690_2.png) [@BKE](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BKE)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/8 "2025-09-10T14:20:33Z")

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> [@SCALEMODEL](#):
>
> Honestly I wouldn’t use Shapr3d for large projects

Indeed. I usually work in Fusion and FormZ et al., but I like to test the limits, and I find S3D more enjoyable (fun) to work with. And as you know, I have my private hobby project that I try to get done solely in S3D to test limits, learn, and enjoy.

> **If you need variables back you can rollback on versions, maybe try to simplify from there**

It happens, but I choose to save a ton of “siblings” continiously in the process. Although, I would prefer a rollback feature similar to “save as” rather than “revert to.”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 5:17am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/9 "2025-09-11T05:17:53Z")

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> [@BKE](#):
>
> to test limits, learn, and enjoy.

Right now that app for me is Plasticity, you should give it a try, it’s tons of fun.

Compared! Shapr seems like it’s stuck in the 80s. 🫠

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BKE](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/bke/32/31690_2.png) [@BKE](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BKE)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/10 "2025-09-11T11:59:18Z")

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> [@SCALEMODEL](#):
>
> now that app for me is Plasticity

Trust your judgment. I will give it another try/buy next month. 80s… that’s harsh…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/11 "2025-09-11T18:07:14Z")

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It’s both a dig and compliment at the same time, simple is great up to a point.

For car body work you might really enjoy using it, it works like how a modern app should work. Open multiple windows at the same time, copy & paste between windows you know those simple things! Oh your fav no cloud storage! You actually have to Save As into a folder, no need for internet connection, has linux but no iPad.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BKE](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/bke/32/31690_2.png) [@BKE](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BKE)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/12 "2025-09-23T10:24:11Z")

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I often find MoI mentioned in discussion concerning Plasticity, any thoughts about this alternative? I exported and imported the most complex project I had, both coped well with it but I did not had time to spend much time evaluating anything. Though I would really miss the, for me, occasionally portability.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/link-between-variables-and-geometry-breaks-upon-merging-history/39376/13 "2025-09-24T20:27:55Z")

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I can answer about Plasticity, but MOI looks like it’s stuck in the 80’s but aesthetically.