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Work with reference data

You can create reference data from source geometry contained in Alias .wire files and other supported geometry formats, such as .catia files. To create reference data, you import the source files into the Reference Manager, which then automatically converts the source to .wref reference files.

When working with reference data, you'll need to:

You can can also:

Set file locations for reference data

Before importing source geometry as file references, we recommend that you designate one or more file locations as reference directories. All source geometry converted to reference data gets saved to a designated reference directory. When you import files as references, Alias searches through reference directories to locate any existing up-to-date instances of the reference, and then loads it in the scene. If a reference does not exist, a new .wref file is created from the source file and saved to a reference directory.

Designating directories for reference data also helps centralize the data making it more easy to manage, share and update.

Note:

You can choose not to designate a reference directory and instead store reference files in source directory. Alias also searches source directories for existing reference files.

  1. Open the Reference Manager by choosing File > Reference Manager.

  2. From the Reference Manager, choose File > Set Reference Directory.

  3. In the Set Reference Directory window, click Add and then browse to directory you want to use as a reference directory.

  4. If you add more than one directory, designate one as the default output directory by clicking the box to right of the directory in the list. A icon displays beside the current output directory. Alias also checks all reference directories for existing reference files.

Set translation options for converting geometry to WREF files

The reference translation settings described in this section are used when you select Import, Re-Import, and Batch Translate from the Reference Manager File menu, as well as when you select File > Import > As Reference from the Alias menu.

The translation options used to import a reference are stored in the .wref file. This means that when you update references after the source files are changed, the same options are used to retranslate. If you need to change the settings for a particular file, it can be done with Re-Import Files option.

  1. From the Reference Manager, select File > Translation Options. The Reference Translation Options window opens.

  2. Under WREF Options, set the values for converting the source files to .wref files.

  3. If you are importing a supported non-native file, such as a .catia, set the import options in Reference Translation Options window.

    After the initial translation, you can modify the settings, and then use File > Re-Import to retranslate the file with the modified settings.

    Tip:

    To automatically use the same Reference Translation Options in a new session, save your preferences (Preferences > User Preferences > Save Preferences) before exiting Alias.

Import geometry as reference files

When you import geometry as a reference, Alias converts the geometry to .wref files using the settings in the Reference Translation Options window.

Note:

By default, when you import CATIA reference assemblies, Alias creates reference files for each file contained in the assembly. Each of these parts maintains its connection to the external reference. For more information, see Work with reference assemblies.

  1. To import geometry as a reference, do either or the following:

    • In the Reference Manager, choose File > Import.
    • From the Alias menu, select File > Import > As Reference.
  2. Browse to the geometry files you want to import.

The selected files are converted to .wref files and saved to the designated output reference directory. The reference geometry appears in the viewport and the Reference Manger now displays your referenced files.

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. You can assign new layer colors to references in the Reference Manager. When you do this, the new layer color is overlaid on the original layer color. To remove the new color overlay and return to the original layer color, select the layer, and then select Edit > Reset Layer Color from the Reference Manager menu.

Tip:

You can reorder the top-level reference nodes in the Reference Manager by + dragging them up or down.

Batch-convert geometry to reference files

You can convert multiple geometry files to references and save them to a reference directory.

  1. Choose File > Reference Manager to open the Reference Manager.

  2. Choose File > Batch Translate > from the Reference Manager window.

  3. In the Translate Reference Options, Use reference directory is selected by default. This indicates the reference files will be saved to the designated output directory. If you want to save the reference files to another location, clear the check-box, and then click Browse to specify a new output directory.

  4. Set the translation options, then click Go.

  5. Select the geometry file in the browser and click Open.

    The selected files appear in the bottom pane of the Reference Manager with a progress bar showing the translation status.

    Note:

    You can cancel the translate process by selecting File > Cancel All from the Reference Manager menu.

Import converted WREF files

After you convert geometry to .wref files, you can import them into the viewport from the Reference Manager.

  1. In the Reference Manager, select the translated files you want to import from the translated file list.
  2. To import the files, do one of the following:
    • Click the import icon: .
    • Right-click and select either Import or Import All from the context-menu.

Modify the appearance of reference data

  • To make it visible or invisible – Click the small square to the left of the data. You can also right-click the reference file or Alternative and choose Visible from the menu.

    Note:

    Reference geometry remains visible in the viewport after turning off the model wireframe draw (WindowDisplay > Show> Model).

  • To make the current reference data visible and all other siblings invisible – Alt-click the small square to the left of the data.

  • To make all reference data visible or invisible – Shift-click the small square to the left of the data.

  • To change its color – Right-click on the small square to the left of the file name, and select a color from the lister. To remove the new color overlay and return to the original layer color, select the layer, and then select Edit > Reset Layer Color from the Reference Manager menu.

  • To change the transparency of reference objects– Use the Reference Surface, Reference Curves, or Reference Mesh Transparency sliders in the Control Panel.

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