Embedding a project into another

[CosminF]

Hi!

I have tried finding an answer on the forums but couldn't: what would be the best way to "embed" project A into project B?

For context:
- project B is an extension of project A
- project A is already modelled and has quite a few integrated IFC files (MEP, HVAC, Fire safety, racking, structural) which make it slow sometimes (only in 3D) but I'm afraid the speed will be drastically affected if I copy everything in project B.
- I do not need the layout book or project map from project A, only as much as the 3D model (and subsequent classifications and zones) if possible.
- project B will eventually grow to have a similar complexity as project A, but on almost double the size.

The way I see it, these are my options:
1. Copy everything from A to B (but then, I'll be making my file bigger and most likely, sluggish)
2. Embed A into B (by merging from file)
3. Hotlinking A into B - although I do not plan on modifying project A and expecting the changes to be visible in project B.
4. Keeping the "outer shell" from project A and ignoring everything else - but then, my sectioned 3D views would look "empty" inside project A. Same goes for sections or plan views.
5. Saving the geometry of project A as a separate object and importing that (but I think the said object would take way way way too much to load - if it would even import)

Many thanks!

Operating system used: Windows

[Jeff Thompson · Accepted solution]

Are you using hotlinks?  Is Project A hotlinked into Project B?  If not I would do that first.  Next I would ask if you are hotlinking .pln files or .mod files?  From my experience, when you place a .pln file into your project it brings a lot of attributable information over with it and makes your file larger and slower.  If you place a .mod file into your project it leaves a lot of information behind and makes your project file much easier to work with. 

So this all being said, if you are, using hotlinks, then all you need to do is go into the Hotlink Module Manager and highlight Project A and break the link.  That will then embed all the data you need into the project. I would probally go into the Project A file first and change all the Renovation Filter Status to Existing.  That way you can toggle the new and the existing in your Project B file, if that makes since.

Hope this helps.

[CosminF]

Yes, both projects are pln files.

Regarding the hotlink, yes, I think this is the best idea because if the file becomes slow, I can always remove the link.  

I wouldn’t want to break the link because I want the embedded project to be “frozen”, “as is”, and that way maybe keep the file more nimble.