Autodesk 12812-051462-9011 User Guide 3 - Page 1733

a single design database. If you use AutoCAD drawings, this feature works with drawings from AutoCAD Release 12 through AutoCAD 2005, including the AutoCAD Mechanical/Architecture and Revit applications. You can establish, refresh, and break links to any number of linked files. You can also edit out unnecessary information by using layers and other filters. The File Link Manager defines which geometry is included in the 3ds Max scene from the linked file, how the geometry is organized, and when it's regenerated. The objects that you bring in from linked files behave just like any other object created in 3ds Max. You can scale, rotate, and move them, as well as attach modifiers and materials. You can also refresh or break links to linked files. When you refresh a linked file, any changes you've made to the linked file are applied to geometry in your scene. Note, however, that 3ds Max won't edit or change your original linked file. The integrity of your other software's design database is never compromised with the File Link Manager. Finally, if you decide to break a link to a linked file, you can either keep the objects from the linked file in your scene or have them removed along with the link. TIP For optimal speed when bringing a DWG file that contains a lot of text into 3ds Max, use Import on page 7182 rather than File Link. See also: ■ File Link on page 6976 ■ File Link Tips on page 6981 ■ Working with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, and Revit Files on page 7021 Support of Multiple Materials on Linked ACIS Solids 3ds Max supports multiple materials per object in DWG files exported as ACIS solids from Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2008 and later, as well as solid primitives created in AutoCAD Architecture 2008 (formerly ADT) and later. Linked solids can have Multi/Sub-Object materials on page 5720 that you can view and manipulate in the Material Editor. 6988 | Chapter 23 Managing Scenes and Projects