Donate

Component

DimensionAligned

BIM

Description

The Arch Reference tool allows you to place an object in the current document that copies its shape and colors from a Part-based object (including Arch BuildingPart) stored in another FreeCAD file. If that FreeCAD file changes, the reference object is marked to be reloaded.

Usage

1. Press the External Reference button,
2. Press the Choose File button and select an existing FreeCAD file,
3. Select one of the included Part-based objects from the drop-down list,
4. Press OK.

Options

• The reference object can be moved and rotated, the current position will be retained after reloading the object.
• If the original object gets moved in containing file, this movement will reflect in the reference object.
• By right-clicking a Reference object in the Tree View, you have the options to reload the original object, or open the containing file.
• To reference several objects at once, place them inside an Arch BuildingPart.
• When turning off the Update Colors view property of the Reference, it won't reload the original colors anymore, so you can safely change them.

Properties

• DataFile: The base file this component is built upon
• DataPart: The part to use from the base file
• ViewUpdate Colors: If true, the colors from the linked file will be kept updated

Scripting

The Reference tool can by used in macros and from the Python console by using the following function:

reference = makeReference([filepath], [partname], [name])

Creates a reference object named name from the object partname in the file filepath. All arguments are optional.

Example:

import Arch
Arch.makeReference("/path/to/some/file.FSCtd", "myPart")

Component

DimensionAligned

BIM