Link PDF Files or Images

You can link a PDF file or an image in a 2D view to use as a reference, to trace or to use on a sheet as you create your model.

Linking a PDF file or image rather than importing it may be desirable when you are concerned about file size. You can move, copy, scale, and rotate a linked PDF file as you would an imported PDF file or an image. The updated PDF file or image is loaded when you open the model.

To link a PDF file in a model

Note: You can't link PDF files in the Family Editor.
1. If the PDF file is password-protected, remove the password from the file.

   You can't link a password-protected PDF file in a model.

2. Open the model view in which you want to link the PDF file.
3. Click Insert tabLink panel (Link PDF).
4. In the Link PDF dialog, navigate to the folder or connected drive containing the PDF file to link.
5. Select the file, and click Open.

   The Import PDF dialog displays, showing the PDF image. If there are multiple pages, select the page with a thumbnail or by page number.

6. Select the desired resolution and click OK.

   The linked PDF file displays in the drawing area and moves with the cursor. The image displays symbolically, with 2 crossing lines indicating the extents of the image.

7. Click to place the image.
8. If needed, scale, rotate, mirror, or resize the image.

To unload a PDF file from a model

1. With the PDF file selected, navigate to Modify|Raster ImagesImage panel(Manage Links). The Manage Links dialog displays.
2. Select the PDF tab to display it, then select to highlight the PDF file you want to unload from the list.
3. Click Unload.

   The message in the Status column for the selected PDF file displays Not Loaded.

4. Click OK or Cancel to close the dialog.

To link an image in a model

Note: You can't link images in the Family Editor.
1. Open the model view in which you want to link the image.
2. Click Insert tabLink panel (Link Image).

   The Link Image dialog displays.

3. Navigate to the folder containing the image file to link.
4. Select the file, and click Open.

   The imported image displays in the drawing area and moves with the cursor. The image displays symbolically, with 2 crossing lines indicating the extents of the image.

5. Click to place the image.
6. If needed, scale, rotate, mirror, or resize the image.

To unload an image from a model

1. With the image file selected, navigate to Modify|Raster ImagesImage panel (Manage Links).

   The Manage Links dialog displays.

2. Select the Images tab to display it, then select to highlight the image file you want to unload from the list.
3. Click Unload. The message in the Status column for the selected image displays Not Loaded.
4. Click OK or Cancel to close the dialog.