Modify
ComponentMake X-Reference
The 
Make X-Reference command enables you to transform a local component into an X-Reference component.
When you start the command, the program prompts you to select a component. As soon as you select the component, the program displays a standard Save File dialog box.
Specify the file name for the X-Reference component, and then click Save.
If the entities selected have dependencies linked with other entities not included in the selection, the program asks you how to deal with such outgoing links.
You have the following options:
Note that once you save the component as an X-Reference, the component is no longer a physical part of the model. Instead, the model contains a reference to the file just created.
To create a new component and transform it into an X-Reference component in a single step, perform the New Component as X-Reference command.
| Note When a component is referenced to an external file, the program stores the entire path name, including the drive letter identifying the disk drive (for example, C:\Models\Components\component.e3). If your system is connected to a network, you should refer to the specific network drive using the following syntax: \\machine_name\disk_name\path_name rather than using a syntax that uses virtual disk drives (such as J:\path_name). If you use virtual disk drives, when an assembly file is opened on a computer other than the one on which it was created, the program won't be able to find the external file if the virtual disk drives defined on the two computers don't correspond. In addition, verify that the Keep absolute file path check box is selected in the Assembly/Shared Group category of the System Options. If this check box is not selected, the file path is stored in a relative form, in which case it may not be valid for all the computers on the network. |
Very complex models may contain numerous external references. When the component files reside on disks shared across a network, it may be difficult to exchange information between the current model and the external files. In these cases, you should store a copy of the component on your computer.
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