• Layer and attribute management in hotlinks

General attribute management concepts

When hotlinking a file into another file, the necessary, but not all attributes (layers, line types, complex profiles, etc...) of the source file will be appended to the attributes of the host file. This means that if any element in the hotlink module uses an attribute that is not available in the host file, then ArchiCAD will add the new attribute to the host file. If an attribute with the same name already exists in the host file, then elements in the hotlink module will use the existing attribute.

If you create a new attribute in the source file, it will be imported into the host file when you first update the hotlink. Note, however, that if you modify an existing attribute in the source file, it will NOT change in the host file when you update the hotlink. This is because ArchiCAD identifies attributes by name and ID only, and not by its properties.

As an exception to attributes, layer combinations are not imported with hotlinks. This is because layer combinations are only meaningful in the context of a given layer set, and since not all layers are imported with the hotlink, importing the layer combination is of little practical use.

Layers in ArchiCAD 12

Layers behave differently then other attributes in ArchiCAD 12 original release (build 2156) and Hotfix #1 (build 2285). In these versions, placing a hotlink module will append all (not just the used) layers of the source files, together with all layer combinations. This way, layer combinations of the source file are also available in the host file.

Changes in ArchiCAD 12 Hotfix#2

Due to user demand, in ArchiCAD 12 Hotfix#2 (2325) the above functionality is revoked, and layers behave again as all other attributes: only used ones are appended to the host file. Layer combinations are not imported. However, it is possible to switch between the two modes, using a registry/preference key:

Windows:

Find registry key HotlinkLayerCombinationEnabled

• Value: 0 (default) - only used layers areimported, layer combinations are not imported

• Value:1 - all layers and layer combinations are imported from the source file

Mac:

Open file com.graphisoft.AC 12.0.0 INT v1.plist from User\Library\Preferences with free application Pref Setter and find key HotlinkLayerCombinationEnabled

• Value: FALSE (default) - only used layers areimported, layer combinations are not imported
• Value: TRUE - all layers and layer combinations are imported from the source file

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