Merging selected part instances results in a new part instance and a new part. If you merge independent part instances, the resulting part instance is also independent. Similarly, if you merge dependent part instances, the resulting part instance is also dependent. Finally, if you merge a combination of independent and dependent part instances, the resulting part instance is dependent.

When you merge meshed ABAQUS/CAE native parts and/or orphan mesh parts, the resulting part instance is always an orphan mesh part and it is always dependent.

Cutting the geometry of selected part instances also results in a new part instance and a new part. The discussion of merging the geometry of independent and dependent part instances applies to cutting the geometry of independent and dependent part instances; however, you cannot cut meshed part instances.