Converts and imports geometry, such as WIRE files and other supported file formats, to reference data (WREF) files. Using referenced data lets you to work with large data sets while maintaining interactivity in Alias, provides alternative shading and comparisons for design reviews, and supports collaborative workflows on design projects.

In addition to generating WREF files, the Reference Manager also provides several features that lets you work with referenced data, including:

• Real time notification of out-of-date and missing referenced or source data.
• Direct access to the locations of source geometry and their associated references.
• Ability to designate reference directories so that all referenced data can be centralized in one location.
• Ability to create alternative shading comparisons for design reviews.
• Viewing the structure of a referenced file, including layers, layer folders, and groups in the same way its source file displays in the Object Lister.

1. Reference Files

Displays the files and associated objects currently referenced in the scene. The Reference Manager provides current status of file references in the scene with the following icons.

Referenc Manager icons	Meaning
	Reference source is a .wire file. You can reorder the top-level reference nodes in the Reference Manager by MMB + dragging them up or down.
	Reference source is an Alias-supported file.
	The reference file is not up-to-date due to modifications to the source file. Clicking the icon updates the reference.
	The referenced file is missing. Clicking the icon re-imports the reference.
	Source file cannot be found. Clicking the icon displays a prompt to locate the file.
	Re-import reference
	Indicates a circular reference. This occurs when a referenced file is being referenced by a child reference lower in the hierarchy.
	Reference includes layer folders. By default, the layer colors assigned to source files in the Object Lister display in the Reference Manager for reference files. This includes layer folder colors and the wireframe draw color used to display reference objects in the viewport.
	Indicates that both the original and mirrored reference data is shown for the referenced file.
	Indicates the that only the original reference data is being shown.
	Indicates that only the mirrored reference data is being shown.

2. Alternatives

Lists reference Alternatives of the currently referenced files. You can create Alternatives as a way to display different versions of a model or any associated parts of a model. For more information, see Work with reference Alternatives .

3. Translated files

Displays the files currently being translated and ones that have been translated using the Batch Translate command. Files displayed here have not been imported into the viewport.

File translation icons	Meaning
	Clicking this icon cancels the translation.
	Indicates an error occurred during translation.
	Clicking this icon imports the translated file into the scene.

Reference Manager Menus

File menu

Import

Loads geometry from a WIRE file, or other supported geometry file types, into Alias as a reference. During the import process, Alias locates any existing reference files (WREF) previously generated from the source geometry file. If a reference file already exists, Alias loads the existing reference file in the viewport.

If a reference file does not exist, Alias converts the source geometry to a WREF file according to the tessellation settings in the Import Reference Options window (see Translate reference options). By default, WREF files are saved to the set output directory (see Work with reference data). If a reference directory is not specified, you are prompted to save the WREF files to the same directory as the source geometry.

Re-Tessellate Files

Re-translates the selected referenced files according to the new tessellation settings in the Re-Tessellate Reference Options window (see Translate reference options).

Update All

Updates all the out-of-date references listed in the Reference Manager. A icon displays beside a reference in the list to indicate that it is out of date and needs to be updated.

Batch Translate

Converts one or more geometry files to reference WREF files according to the tessellation settings in the Translate Reference Options window (see Translate reference options).

All file formats that can be imported into Alias can be translated to reference files.

Select the Use reference directory check box to save the reference files to the currently set working referenced directory, or browse to the desired directory .

Cancel All

Cancels any current translation operations.

Set Reference Directory

Opens the Set Reference Directory window where you can specify directories for saving reference files (WREF). When you import files as references or translate files to references, Alias searches through the set reference directories to locate any existing instances of the reference.

Use the Add or Remove commands to manage reference directories. A icon displays to the right of currently set output directory. By default, all newly created references are saved to the output directory. To a set a listed reference directory as the output directory, click the check box to its right.

See Work with reference data.

Pack

Stores all your data in the same folder for easy transfer. This includes your wire file and all the reference files it points to.

Import From Vault

Lets you import a reference file (WREF file) from Autodesk Vault into Alias. Reference files are found in the reference folder of a project (by default).

Edit menu

Remove File

Removes the selected reference file from the Reference Manager, or from an Alternative.

Remove Alternative

Removes the selected Alternative (on the right side of the Reference Manager window). This has the same effect as right-clicking on the Alternative and choosing Remove Alternative from the menu.

New Alternative

Creates a new Alternative (on the right side of the Reference Manager window). If reference files were selected, they become part of the Alternative.

Duplicate Alternative

Makes a copy of the selected Alternative. The copy is place below the selected alternative and called Copy of <alternative name>.

Promote Geometry

Copies and transforms selected parts of the reference data into real geometry. Use Pick > Pick Reference to select individual components in the view windows.

Select to open the Promote Geometry Options window, and choose how your reference geometry gets promoted. Select from the following options:

• Promote Layer Structure - Creates geometry from the reference objects and preserves the layer hierarchy, including existing layers, layer folders, and group nodes, of your referenced files. The option is on by default.

  Use this method when promoting the geometry of nested reference hierarchies as it generates all the geometry for the entire structure, including top-level nodes down to child nodes.

• Promote to Create Layer - Creates geometry as a flat hierarchy consisting of a single top-level group node containing all the promoted reference objects. This option does not create or preserve layers or layer folders.

• Promote Group - Preserves the group node hierarchy in the reference. Use this option to generate all the group nodes with the geometry. Promote Groups is only available when Promote to Create Layer is selected.

  Use Pick > Pick Reference with Pick Level set to Object for picking the root nodes of groups.

For more information, see Promote reference data.

Promote Subdiv

Copies and transforms selected referenced subdivision objects into real subdivision geometry. Use Pick > Pick Reference to select individual components in the view windows.

Promoted subdivision geometry includes the object's faces and the control cage as well as any crease information. All subdivision objects in the your selection get promoted to geometry. For example, if you select a file, all the referenced subdivision objects get promoted, and if you select a layer or group, objects in the layer or group get promoted. Note the following:

• Selecting a single limit surface results in the promotions of the control cage and all other associated limit surfaces.
• Any hybrid modeling operations applied to the referenced subdivision object are not preserved in the promoted geometry.

For more information, see Promote subdivision references to geometry.

Promote Shader

Shaders on reference objects cannot be modified or reused directly. Promote Shader creates a copy of the shader so that it can be modified. When you promote a shader, the copy of the shader automatically gets applied to the picked reference object and it is also added to the Multi-lister where you can modify its parameters as well as apply it to other objects.

Reset Shader

Restores the source geometry's shader to its referenced object.

Reset Layer Color

Replaces new layer colors set on reference layers to the origin layer color of the source file.

Re-tessellate Objects

Re-tessellates the selected object according to the new tessellation settings in the Re-Tessellate Reference Options window (seeTranslate reference options below).

View menu

Reference Files

Shows only the left side of the Reference Manager window.

Alternatives

Shows only the right side of the Reference Manager window.

Both

Shows both sides of the Reference Manager window (Reference Files and Alternatives).

+/- All

Expands or collapses the content of all the reference files and Alternatives.

Filter menu

Choose what type of object to display in the Reference Manager window: Groups, Surfaces, Curves, Meshes, or Shells.

Translate reference options

These options are available in the Import Reference Options, Translate Reference Options, and Re-Tessellate Reference Options windows when you select the control box.

Curve Tolerance

Chordal tolerance that controls the precision with which curves are drawn after being translated. A higher value will produce smoother reference curves.

Surface Tessellator/Tesselator

Choose between Fast or Accurate tessellation. Fast tessellation might ignore some local details.

Surface Tolerance/Tolerance

Controls how accurately surfaces are triangulated.

Right mouse button menus

This section describes the choices from the menu that appears when you right-click various items (reference file, alternative, layer, etc) in the Reference Manager.

Reference Files/Alternatives

Visible

Toggles the object visibility on and off for reference files, layer folders, and layers.

Isolate

Shows the selected reference only. The visibility of all other references is turned off. To enable visibility on the other references, toggle on the layer visibility or right-click and select Visible.

Remove File/Remove File from Alternative

Deletes the reference file from the Reference Manager.

If the file is inside an Alternative, it removes it from that Alternative only.

Revert Transform

Undoes all the transformations (move, scale, etc) applied to the Alternative and returns it to its original state.

Show All Layers

Makes all the layers under that reference file visible.

Open Source Location

Opens the directory containing the source data file, such as the .wire file, of the reference.

Open Reference Location

Opens the Reference directory containing the file.

Open Source File

Opens the source .wire file in a new stage. Alias first checks to see if the .wire file is already open in a stage. If so, it switches to that stage rather than reopening the file.

Enable/Disable Symmetry

Toggles the symmetry on and off for all objects in the layer folder.

Symmetry Original

Shows only the original reference data. You can also use this icon to toggle it on and off.

Symmetry Mirror

Shows only the mirrored reference data. You can also use this icon to toggle it on and off.

Symmetry Both

Shows both the original and mirrored reference data.

Show All Files

Makes all the reference files under that Alternative visible.

Translations

Import

Imports the reference file corresponding to this translation.

Remove

Deletes the name of the translated file from the Reference Manager.

Related Tasks

• Work with reference data
• Promote reference data
• Work with reference Alternatives

Related Concept

• About working with reference data

Related Reference

• File > Import > As Reference