9

File Link Manager Utility 423
through AutoCAD 2005, including the AutoCAD
Mechanical/Architecture and Revit applications.
You can establish, refresh, and break links to any
number of linked fi les. You can also edit out
unnecessar y information by using layers and
other filters. The File Link Manager defines which
geometr y is included in the 3ds Max scene from
the lin ked file, how the geometry is organized, and
when it’s regenerated.
The objects that you bring in from linked files
behave just like any other object created in
3ds Max. You can scale, rotate, and move them, as
well as attach modifiers and materials.
You can also refresh or break links to linked files.
When you refresh a linked file, any changes you’ve
madetothelinkedfileareappliedtogeometryin
your scene. Note, however, that 3ds Max won’t edit
or change your orig inal linked file. The integrity
of your other software’s design database is never
compromised with the File Link Manager.
Finally, if you decide to break a link to a linked file,
you can either keep the objects from the linked file
inyoursceneorhavethemremovedalongwith
the link.
Tip: For optimal speed when bringing a DWG file
that contains a lot of text into 3ds Max, use Import
(page 3–536) rather than File Link.
See also
File Link (page 3–416)
File Link Tips (page 3–419)
Working with A utoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture,
and Rev it Files (page 3–440)
Pr ocedur es
To link a drawing file:
You can link drawings in the form of DWG or DXF
files.ADWGisthenativefileformatforAutoCAD
and AutoCAD Architecture, but you must first
export a DWG w hen working from a Revit project.
The File Link Manager does not recognize RVT
files.
1. Choose File menu > File Link Manager.
2. On the Attach panel, click Files to s elect a fi le
from the appropriate directory on either your
local or network system, and click Open.
3. Choose a Preset from the pull-down list, if you
have one defined.
Tip: If this is your first File Linking, and you
havenotdefinedanypresets,youmaywantto
create one on the Presets panel (page 3–437) of
the dialog.
4. Turn on t he Resc ale switch and adjus t the
Incoming File Units, if necessary.
5. Click Attach This File.
To reload a drawing:
Reload is most often used when your drawing or
project has been changed in AutoCAD, AutoCAD
Architecture, or Revit, or if the linked dr awing file
has been moved and you have to tell the File Link
Manager where to find the drawing.
Note: If your Revit project has been updated,
remember to export a new DWG f ile that can be
reloaded.
1. On the Files panel of the File link Manager,
click the file n ame in the Linked Files list and
click Reload.
Linked files that have b een changed are prefaced
w ith the
symbol.
Tip: Turn on th e Show Reload Opt ions sw itch
ifyouwanttomakechangestothesettings
used to link the drawing. Otherwise, the reload
process w i l l u se the same settings you originally
used when creating the link.
2. IfShowReloadOptionsisturnedon,theFile
Link Settings dialog (page 3–428) is displayed