Multiple Linking?

[Anonymous]

Is there a way to multiple link in Plotmaker? When I move a ArchiCAD file I then have to relink the file in the Plotmaker Navigator panel. Is there a global way of achieving this by just redirecting all view sets to the new file location? At the moment I have to go through and one by one relink all the views in Plotmaker to the new location of the AC file.

[David Larrew]

Graeme,

If you have multiple drawings selected in the "Drawing Usage" window of the Navigator the "Link to..." button changes to "Read from...". You can then change the source folder location of all of the drawings at one time.

[Anonymous]

Hi David,
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I have tried that and it doesnt work for me. When the Read From button comes up it is not possible to see any of the AC PLN files in the folder where they are kept? I must be doing something wrong!

[Karl Ottenstein]

Graeme wrote:
When the Read From button comes up it is not possible to see any of the AC PLN files in the folder where they are kept? I must be doing something wrong!

Answering for David, Graeme, since his time zone is in bed and you're probably still at work...

You won't see any content with a "Read From" browse ... you are merely selecting a folder. All files for selected drawings/objects will then be read from that folder using the same names as before. If you want to change the name as well as the folder, then you need to select each group of drawings corresponding to a specific PLN, PLA, PMK, etc. and change via Link To.

HTH,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Hi Karl,
Yep it doesnt work if the file is changed. Perhaps I should put this into the wishlist for GS? When one has a large number of views in Plotmaker the process of relinking is time consuming and a global link to the the file would be excellent.

[Anonymous]

Am I missing something here?

I can "Read from..." a .pln etc. to relink multiple files (at least on my Mac - I haven't been using Windows lately). Perhaps you need to make sure that only drawings that have been linked directly to ArchiCAD views are selected (i.e. no .pmks).

[Anonymous]

Perhaps it is a Windows thing. I havent used PMK files for awhile. I try to keep all my views linked to the model. I cannot see a model anywhere when the Read From button is active. However with a single view selected I can then see all my models and the link can be modified to a new model or one with a different name with "Link To". When multiple views are selected there are no models visible to Link To or Read From.

[Anonymous]

Oops,
Seems to be working now. I will have to practice this one a bit more. I found I had to select AchiCAD models in the Files of Type dialogue box.

[Anonymous]

To expand a little on what Karl said...

If every view you select is linked to the same file (even if the file has been moved) you get the "Link To..." terminology, and you can select a specific file. But, if you have selected views that point to multiple files you only get the "Read From..." option and you can only select a folder.

This is the reason I would like to see a "Folder" column -- that way you can sort by folder and select every view pointing to the same source file. At present, you have to hunt down every view because they are mixed in with other project views.

[Anonymous]

sorting the drawing usage list by file would be a good thing too. I'm still having a little trouble getting everyone to use a single AC file for all the drawings. if the list were sorted by what pln/plp a view is linked to, it would be easy for a user to find and select the proper drawing to re-link to.

going to the wishlist in a minute...

wes