Unload and reload file references

When a file reference is created it appears loaded in the scene. You can use the Outliner Reference menu or the Reference Editor to unload references or reload previously loaded references.

See Loaded and unloaded references.

When you open scene files that have associated file references, you can specify which references get loaded. See Selectively open file references.

To unload or reload a reference from the Outliner

  1. In the Outliner, do one of the following:
    • Right-click a loaded reference and select Reference > Unload from the menu that appears.

      The reference is unloaded indicated by an icon.

    • Right-click an unloaded reference and select Reference, then Reload or Load file: <file name> from the menu that appears.

      The reference is now loaded indicated by an icon.

    2. Unloaded referenced nodes are dimmed and the icon changes. If you unload a nested reference that has child references, the child references are also unloaded with the parent.

To unload or reload a reference from the Reference Editor

  1. Select File > Reference Editor.
  2. In the Reference Editor, click the referenced file name and select Reference > Load Reference or Reference > Unload Reference.

Load or unload related references

You can load or unload references based on the selection of one or more objects within the scene. To do this

  1. In the scene, Right-select an object that is in the reference you want to unload and select Reference > Unload Related References.

Selectively open file references

You can specify which file references, if any, are loaded automatically when a scene file is opened. For example, you can select a reference and have it preloaded each time its parent scene opens. You can also set file reference options so that a scene opens with either none or all references loaded. For information about reference loading options when opening scene files, see Open Scene Options.

To specify which references to load when a scene opens

  1. Select File > Open Scene > .
  2. In the Referencing section of the Open Scene Options, turn on Selective preload.
  3. Click Open and select the scene file you want to open.
  4. In the Preload Reference Editor that appears, specify which references to load and select Open.

    You scene opens with the selected references.

To specify that no references are loaded

  1. Select File > Open Scene > .
  2. In the Referencing section of the Open Scene Options, ensure that Selective preload is off.
  3. In the Load Settings list, select Load no references.
  4. Click Open, and select the scene file you want to open.

To specify that all references are loaded

  1. Select File > Open Scene > .
  2. In the Referencing section of the Open Scene Options, ensure that Selective preload is off.
  3. In the Load Settings list, select Load all references.
    Note: You can also limit loading to child references (no grandchild references) by selecting Load top-level references only.
  4. Click Open, and select the scene file you want to open.

Related topics

Parent topic: Work with File References