Certain file types, such as MicroStation files, AutoCAD files, and Word files, can reference other files. Files that reference other files are called master files. The files referenced by master files can be manipulated separately or reused.
The relationships between these reference files and master files are tracked to keep the files associated during check in, check out, viewing, and other operations. This tracking is managed by creating reference relationships between the files. Reference relationships are created between files when a master document is created and files are attached and when the master file is checked back in after a checkout. These relationships are created because the user can add or delete reference files while the master file is checked out.
You can also use the Web Client to manage master files, reference files, and their relationships. For more information, see Reference files and relationships.
When a file is attached or checked in, SmartPlant Markup Plus reads the headers of all files, extracts the reference file names, and supplies the reference file names to the Desktop Client. As a result, relationships defined in the native application are honored.
SmartPlant Markup Plus must be installed on the SmartPlant Foundation server for reference file relationships to be created.
When a user checks out or views files that have references, copies of the reference files are provided to the user's computer along with the master file.
Reference files can contain links to other reference files. The system administrator can configure the system to process these nested reference files while checking in, checking out, viewing, and other operations on the master file. The maximum number of nested reference files allowed in these operations is set in the User Preferences. For more information, see Change user preferences.
The system administrator can also configure the system to allow files to reference themselves or to reference each other in a cyclical relationship. Document A can reference document B, and document B can reference document A. These relationships can be created by dragging reference files onto the files they reference.
In the following example, the Document C document is a reference file of Document B, which in turn is a reference file for Document A. However, Document A is also a reference file for Document C.
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If the file you are attaching references other files and those files are already in the system, the software automatically creates relationships between the file and the reference files.
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If the file you attach references files that are not in the system, the software displays an error message to let you know that the referenced files do not already exist. You can create the relationship to the reference file later after it has been added to the system.
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To delete a reference file that was attached to a master file that was deleted, right-click the document and select Refresh.
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