• TechNotes
• Simple Hotlink managing

TechTip of the Month Contest Winner of October 2004:

Ignacio Azpiazu's tip on managing hotlinks!

"(...) I am working on a project with lots of hotlinked modules (unit plans, panels, balconies, porches, etc.). (…) Yesterday I realised I can import (once in the project lifetime) every project module into a 'library' .PLN and, by keeping two copies of ArchiCAD open, quickly and easily (don't even need to remember their name!) look for them in that file and copy-paste them into my project as needed. The modules remain modules and behave exactly as if I had imported them using Hotlink Manager."

Indeed, a different, but practical method of handling hotlinks:

1. Open two copies of ArchiCAD. In the first copy open the project you are currently working on.
2. In the second copy of ArchiCAD create a new blank file, and name it i.e. 'hotlink_library.pln'.
3. Import all modules you might need into a 'hotlink_library.pln' file.
4. Now whenever you want to place a hotlink module (i.e. a certain type of bathroom or a balcony) somewhere in your project file, simply select it in the 'library' file, copy, then paste it into the project file.

5. You can check Hotlink Manager now (File.../Modules and XREFs>Hotlink Manager...) - the hotlinks are now all listed as if they were imported through Hotlink Manager.

6. Note that with copy-paste the hotlinks will all be placed in the same location as in the 'library' file - you will have to drag them to the desired location after placing.

Hint: - You don't even have to remember the names of your modules (like 'balcony_long_type_2') if you use Ignacio's method.

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