` Reference Files are a major new feature for form•Z v9. Reference Files are simply data from project files displayed inside another project. Reference file data displays in the graphics window of the project and will render, export and can be snapped too, however it cannot be changed (its “read only”). There are a number of different situations were reference files can make your work flow more efficient.
Sometimes a project can be overwhelming with the amount of data it contains, yet much of that data is static and not a part of what you are modeling, but is important to a design. This data can be kept in a reference file so the real project file only contains the relevant data making it faster to work with and save.
Reference files also support collaboration. Many team members can be working on a project together with each focusing on part of the project. Team members can use reference files to see the work of other team members in their own project.
Reference files can also be useful for repetitive design visualization. For example, a collection of buildings like an apartment complex. A modular building is designed in a single project file and then used as a reference file where it is placed multiple times at various locations and orientations to create a complex. When the modular design is updated, then the entire complex reflects the new design.
Reference files are controlled from the group of commands in the File Menu.
Add Reference File attaches a reference file to the project. You will be prompted to select a FMZ file. Once chosen, the Reference File Parameters dialog gives you the option to adjust the Position, Rotation, and Scale of the placement of the reference data in the project. You can also choose to import the Objects, Lights, Views, or any combination of the three. Click OK to load in the chosen contents of the Reference File!
The same file can be added multiple times with different parameters to create multiple instances of the reference. The reference file will be listed in the Objects palette. Here you can control the display of the reference file contents (i.e. hide or show).
Create Reference File creates a new reference file (.fmz) from whatever is selected in your project. This file is then attached as reference file and the original content is removed from the project. This makes it easy to move the cumbersome static data from your project file and relocate it to a reference file.
The Reference File Manager menu item displays all of the reference file instances and is a central location to add remove and edit the reference file parameters.
Though you cannot edit the contents of a reference file in a project that is referencing it, the file itself can be opened and edited. If a referenced file is edited then saved, you will see the changes the next time the project referencing that file is opened or focused along with a message making you aware of the changes.
Reference file feature is available in modeling, drafting and layout.
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