A link connects an activity to a model object. A rule is a persistent query, created by autolink or link with filters, that creates links automatically when the model version updates.
This table shows how each action affects rules and links.
| Category | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Creates rules and links | Link with filters | - Creates links between filtered objects and selected activities. - Creates a persistent filter rule that automatically applies to updated model versions Note: Forma Build creates links but no rule if you use filters and then select specific objects to link. |
| Autolink | - Creates links for every value matched from the selected activity attribute and model property. - Creates a persistent property-match rule that automatically applies to updated model versions. When the file version updates, objects and activities that match the rule link automatically. |
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| Removes rules and links | Unlink all on an activity | Removes all of the activity's: - Links - Rules created by autolink or link with filters - Object exclusions from rule-based links that were previously removed Note: This is the only way to delete rules at activity level. |
| Replace model | - Removes all links in the schedule - Removes all rules for all activities in the schedule. Important: This is a full reset and can't be undone. |
|
| Creates links only | Manual linking | - Creates links by manually selecting objects and activities, starting from either. Note: Forma Build creates links but no rule if you use filters and then select specific objects to link. |
| Model version updated in the Files tool | - Creates links that match existing rules automatically - Removes links that no longer match the rules. |
|
| Removes links only (rules stay intact) | Unlink manual link | - Removes the link to that object only. |
| Unlink a link created by a filter or autolink | - Removes the link - Adds the object to the activity's exclusion list so it won't relink automatically when a new model version matches it again. |
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| RVT, DWG, NWC, or IFC model version updated in the Files tool | - Removes links that no longer match the rules. - Removes manual links if their model objects no longer exist. |
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| NWD or NWF model version updated in the Files tool | - Removes all manually added links. - Removes links that no longer match the rules. |
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| Schedule updated | - Removes links if the linked activities no longer exist in the updated schedule. |