cutout fails!?!

We created an assembly of some flat layer, assembled a shrinkwrap into the middle
of the layers. We did, in Assembly mode, WF2, an 'Edit>Component
Operations>Cutout'. On some machines we got the message (whene the cutout failed):
"Selected item is external. Backup is not possible." Cryptic, even by Pro/e
standards. Anyone know what this means? what to do? This happens on the "interns'"
machines. When I load the same files from CS, do the same cutout, I get no errors.
Cutout goes as expected. Anyone know why this happens or what hte error message
means? (Unfortunately, I can't look this up myself; I'm frozen out of my PTC
account. Hey, guys, was it something I said!!!)

 

I hesitate at posting this 'cos it's you David, but you do have the
same config.pro on all the machines don't you?

Sorry in advance.

 

Yeah, I know -- what to do when the "answer man" is stumped. Well, most of the
config.pro files are system loaded, corporate settings. I'm not sure if I gave the
interns my personal one or not. I think I hesitated to get into it because I
couldn't think of any settings that could cause this behavior. But, it's worth a
try. Interesting experiment anyway.

 

Some companies, such as Cat, do stop external refs by default, and you
may have to twink either their config, or their tools - assembly
settings. Surprised me first time, but it stops people who don't
understand how much trouble circular refs are creating them
accidentally.

 

I'm totally clueless, but "backup" brings regen backup to mind and wondering
about write permissions on the interns' machines. (Just a thought, I really
have no idea how all that stuff works.)