USING REFERENCE DESIGN FILES

Reference files can be design or raster files. This procedure will refer to reference design files only.

Reference design files can be displayed on top of an active design file. The reference file can be transformed relative to active design file without affecting the contents of the ref file. Once a reference design file is attached to a design file its elements can be copied into the design file. A reference design file file can also be snapped to for creating new geometry in the design file. In this way the ref file is a basis for new design and can be view only if desired. A design file could be attached to itself to create detailed views of a section of the design. Reference files are useful for team based design, breaking a design project into smaller parts where individual team members can reference other team members parts.

PROCEDURE:

1. Attach a reference file by first setting the reference file to "Design" then selecting it from disk.

• Display Design (as opposed to Raster)
• Tools Attach...

1. A dialog box will open titled "Attached Reference File". Select the design file to be referenced and click OK.
2. A second dialog box will open with the same title. Set the following options then click OK:

• Save Full Path - used only if reference file location will never change. LEAVE UNCHECKED
• Logical Name - optional shorthand name for quick identification (less than 20 characters)
• Description - important for lidentification of multiple reference attachments (optional)
• Attachment Mode - Coincident (alignment of reference file coordinates and those of the active design file) vs. saved view to scale and clip the ref file (automated with Drawing Composition)). CHOOSE COINCIDENT (default)
• Scale (Master:Ref) - ratio of master units of design file to the master units of the ref file.
• Nest Depth - sets the number of nested reference files allow on acurrent attachmnet. LEAVE AT 0
• Scaled Line Styles - scales line styles if scale option used.

1. The reference design file name will appear in the list box of the first dialog box. The check boxes at the bottom of the dialog window control the following:

• Display - if checked the reference file will be visible in the active design file.
• Snap - if checked ref file elements can be snapped to.
• Locate - if on ref file elements can be identified for construction or measuring.

1. After attaching a reference file it can be detached, updated, or transformed:

• Detach Ref File - remove ref file.
• Reload Ref File - updates attached ref file to that on disk.
• Tranfform ref file: Move, Scale, Rot, Mirror and Clip - relative to the design file.

1. Reference files can also be controlled with the level and symbology settings:

• Levels - like view levels but for ref files (by level number only, not name)
• Level Symbology - color, style and weight for a particular level of the ref file.