Adding and editing reference files
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Command |
Path |
Shortcut |
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Organization |
Tools |
Ctrl+Shift+O (Windows) Cmd+Shift+O (Mac) |
You can reference data from DXF/DWG or DWF, IFC, image, and PDF files in your project. In addition, from other Vectorworks files you can reference specific resources, or entire design layers. Vectorworks has two methods for referencing design layers:
In the Vectorworks Fundamentals product, design layers are imported into the target file when they are referenced.
In the Vectorworks Design Suite products, the Layer import referencing option is also available, from the Settings tab in the Organization dialog box. However, the recommended referencing method is to create a design layer viewport and then reference the desired design layers from the master file, as described in Creating a referenced design layer viewport.
Referenced Vectorworks files must be the same version as the target file.
To add or edit references to other files:
In the active target file, select the command.
The Organization dialog box opens.
Select the References tab. Referenced files are listed in priority order, along with their current status.
Do one of the following:
To edit a reference file, select the file and click Edit. The Edit Reference dialog box opens.
To add a new reference file, click New.
If you clicked New, the Open File dialog box opens. Select the desired file, and then click Open to open the appropriate dialog box:
DXF/DWG or DWF file: Import Options dialog box
IFC file: Select IFC Stories and Elements dialog box (Vectorworks Design Suite required)
Image file: Image Import Options dialog box (Vectorworks Design Suite required)
PDF file: Import PDF dialog box (Vectorworks Design Suite required)
Vectorworks file: New Reference dialog box
If you’re adding a Vectorworks reference file or editing a reference file, specify the parameters from the New Reference or Edit Reference dialog box.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
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Parameter |
Description |
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Source File |
Displays the path and file name of the referenced master file; if the Edit option was selected, click Browse to edit the file location |
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Save reference location as |
Maintains either an absolute or relative file path reference from the active file to the referenced file. Use the absolute path when the location of the referenced file with respect to the active file is not going to change. Use the relative path when the files might be moved to another computer or platform; as long as the relative path between the files remains the same, the reference can be found. Both files must be saved on the same volume to select this option. If you’re using server-based project sharing, and the master file is not on the same volume as the Project Sharing Server, you’ll be prompted to upload the file to the server’s project folder. The Source File path displays either an absolute or relative path, depending on the selection. |
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Layers Available |
For Vectorworks file references, if you’re using layer import referencing, specify the design layers to be referenced; selected layers are indicated with a check mark. Sheet layers cannot be referenced. This step is optional; a layer does not have to be selected to reference its resources. Resources in the entire referenced file are available through the Reference command in the Resource Manager. |
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Save referenced cache to disk |
Saves a copy of the referenced data with the target file. When this option is deselected, a copy of the referenced data is not saved, which means that the target file size is smaller; the referenced data is updated when the target file is opened. |
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Automatically update out of date reference during file open |
Updates the reference each time the target file is opened; when deselected, the reference is updated only when Update is clicked from the References tab of the Organization dialog box |
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Update class definitions |
For Vectorworks file references, updates class definitions along with the referenced objects that use those classes |
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Ignore source user origin |
For Vectorworks file references, if you are using layer import referencing, ignores the user origin in the master file; referenced objects will not change location in the target file if the user origin changes in the master file |
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Create layer link(s) on layer |
For Vectorworks file references, if you are using layer import referencing, creates a layer link for each newly referenced layer on the specified design layer; select the design layer from the list or select New Layer to specify a new design layer, set to the same scale as the first selected layer to reference |
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Import Options |
For DXF/DWG or DWF file references, opens a dialog box to enter DXF/DWG and DWF import options |
If you're using layer import referencing, referenced design layers can be used in a sheet layer viewport. Because sheet layer viewports cannot directly reference design layers in other files, reference the layers and then create a sheet layer viewport that shows the referenced layers.
