Using data from other programs in CADdirect 2022 drawings

 

You can include data from other programs in CADdirect 2022 drawings by using either embedding or linking. The method you choose depends on the type of object or file you want to include in your CADdirect 2022 drawing and what you want to do with it after it is there.

 

Embedding objects into drawings

 

Embed an object into your CADdirect 2022 drawing when you want to keep all the data you work with in one file or if you want to transfer the file to other computers. You can embed data from programs that support object linking and embedding.

 

For example, if you want to distribute data about a department’s computer equipment along with an CADdirect 2022 drawing of the department’s floor plan, you can embed a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet into the floor plan.

 

When you embed data from another program, CADdirect 2022 becomes the container for that data. The object embedded in the CADdirect 2022 drawing becomes part of the CADdirect 2022 file. When you edit the data, you open its program from within the CADdirect 2022 drawing.

 

Any changes you make to the embedded data exist only in the CADdirect 2022 drawing, so it is not necessary to keep that data in a separate file. If the data does exist in a separate file, the original file does not change when you modify the embedded object in CADdirect 2022. Also, changes to the original file do not affect the embedded object in the CADdirect 2022 drawing.

 

To embed another program’s object into an CADdirect 2022 drawing

 

Open the file that contains the data you want.

 

In the file, select the data you want to embed in the CADdirect 2022 drawing.

 

Choose that program’s command to place data on the Clipboard.

 

Usually, you choose Edit > Copy.

 

In the CADdirect 2022 window, display the drawing in which you want to embed the object.

 

Do one of the following to choose Paste:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Home > Paste (in Clipboard) or choose Edit > Paste (in Modify)
• On the menu, choose Edit > Paste.
• On the Standard toolbar, click the Paste tool.
• Type paste and then press Enter.

 

The data on the Clipboard is pasted into the drawing as an embedded object. The object appears in the center of the view, but you can select and move it by moving the cursor.

 

To embed an object from an existing file within CADdirect 2022

 

Do one of the following:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > Object (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > Object.
• Type insertobj and then press Enter.

 

In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create From File.

 

Specify the file by doing one of the following:

 

Type a path and file name in the File box.

Click Browse to select a file.

 

Select Display As Icon if you want that program’s icon to appear in the drawing instead of the data.

 

Click OK.

 

The first page of the file appears in the CADdirect 2022 drawing, unless you chose to display it as an icon. You can select the object and drag to reposition it.

 

To create a new embedded object from within CADdirect 2022

 

Do one of the following:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > Object (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > Object.
• Type insertobj and then press Enter.

 

In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create New.

 

From the Object Type list, select the type of object you want to create, and then click OK.

 

The program for creating that object opens within CADdirect 2022. If the program is compatible with ActiveX, it opens in place (within the other program) in the CADdirect 2022 drawing; otherwise, the program opens in its full window.

 

Create the object in the other program.

 

If the program is running within the other document (in place), click anywhere outside the embedded object to close the program.

 

If the program is running in its full window, choose File > Exit.

 

Linking objects to drawings

 

If another program supports ActiveX, you can link its data to CADdirect 2022 drawings. Use linking when you want to include the same data in many files. When you update the data, all links to other files reflect the changes.

 

For example, if you created your company logo in an ActiveX-compatible drawing program, and you want to include it in the title block of every drawing you create with CADdirect 2022, you can link it to each CADdirect 2022 drawing. When you change the original logo in the drawing program, the CADdirect 2022 drawing updates automatically.

 

When you link data from another program, the CADdirect 2022 drawing stores only a reference to the location of the file in which you created the data. You link data from a saved file, so CADdirect 2022 can find the data and display it.

 

Because linking adds only a reference to a file, the data does not significantly increase the file size of the CADdirect 2022 drawing. However, links require some maintenance. If you move any of the linked files, you need to update the links. In addition, if you want to transport linked data, you must include all linked files.

 

You can update a linked object automatically every time you open the drawing, or you can do so only when you specify. Anytime a link is updated, changes made to the object in its original file also appear in the CADdirect 2022 drawing, and the changes also appear in the original file if they were made through CADdirect 2022.

 

To link a file to an CADdirect 2022 drawing

 

Save the original file.

 

Because a link consists of a reference to the original file, you must save the file before you can link to it.

 

In the original file, select the data you want in the CADdirect 2022 drawing.

 

Choose that program’s command to place data on the Clipboard.

 

Usually, you choose Edit > Copy.

 

Display the CADdirect 2022 drawing to which you want to link the file.

 

In CADdirect 2022, choose Edit > Paste Special.

 

In the Paste Special dialog box, select Paste Link.

 

Click OK.

 

To create a linked object from within CADdirect 2022

 

Display the CADdirect 2022 drawing in which you want to display the linked object.

 

Do one of the following:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > Object (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > Object
• Type insertobj and then press Enter.

 

In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create From File.

 

Specify the file by doing one of the following:

 

• Type a path and file name in the File box.
• Click Browse to select the file using a file dialog box.

 

Select the Link check box.

 

Select Display As Icon if you want that program’s icon to appear in the drawing instead of the data.

 

Click OK.

 

The first page appears in the CADdirect 2022 drawing, unless you chose to display it as an icon. To reposition the object, select and drag it.