Copy a building from one file to another

[Gisele]

Is there a way to copy a two-story building with its annotation from one file to another without using a Hotlink?

[Gerry Leonor · Accepted solution]

you can try a Merge File operation.

just a heads up. i haven't done this in a long while but you might want to make sure that you have at least the same number of stories & same story heights in your active file (the one you're working on) as with your origin file (the file you're importing). Also, this will bring in all attributes & might not be a guarantee that the index numbers will align between your Active File & your Origin File.

File > Interoperability > Merge > Merge from File

when the Merge File window pops up, make sure to select the "All Files" setting at the bottom 

go to the directory of that .pln file & click Open

when the Merge pop up appears asking you which part of the PLN file to bring in, select the first option "Virtual Building (All Stories)"

on the other hand, you could simply do a Save As copy of your origin file & strip out the Layout Book if you don't need the drawings in there.

[Gisele]

How to "Save As copy of the origin file & strip out the Layout Book?"

[Gerry Leonor · Accepted solution]

if you don't have it open & if you have Windows Explorer open, go the directory & make a copy of the file with a different file name.

if you have the file open, go to File  & click "Save As" & save it under a different file name.

open that second file & simply delete all the layouts in the Layout Book.