About Hotlink Modules
Hotlink Modules allow you to insert the contents of external files (sources) into the currently open Project (host).
Hotlink Modules can be used, for example, to manage the repetitive structures of buildings such as hotels or offices with a large number of identical rooms: If rooms are placed as a Hotlink module, you can modify all the rooms in one step, by just updating the module’s source file. Moreover, the same structures can be used in multiple projects.
When updating a Hotlink Module, you have the option to launch the Model Compare window, which helps you visualize exactly what has changed as a result of the update.
See Compare Archicad Models Before and After Hotlink Update .
Which files can you place as Modules?
Project file types:
- Solo Project (.pln)
- a Module-type file (.mod)
- a Teamwork Project from a BIMcloud (of the same version as your host project)
- 2D Lines (.2dl)
Other file types that can be placed as Modules:
Characteristics of Hotlink Modules
- Modules are stored in the host project. Even if the Source file is not currently available, the module is still present and visible. However, the module can’t be updated as long as the referred source file is unavailable.
- The placement parameters (e.g. orientation, Master Layer, Design Option) of each Hotlink can be different even though they share the same Module source.
- The placed Hotlink can only be edited as an entity. Its elements cannot be edited as long as they remain part of a Hotlink.
- Elements belonging to a selected Hotlink have hollow square marks on
their hotspots. If several Modules are selected, their selection dots will have different
colors to help you distinguish them.
- You can use Find & Select command to locate Hotlink Module elements.
Attributes of Hotlink Modules
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For Archicad -based modules, see Handling of attributes during paste and hotlink
- IFC Hotlink Module attributes are managed according to the template file of the Translator for Import used to place the IFC hotlink. See Hotlink IFC File.
- Rhino-based Hotlink Module attributes (layer and surface settings) are set at Import Options, when selecting the module. See Import Options for Rhino 3D Model
Attributes imported with hotlinks will not be removed if you delete the hotlinks.
See also Master Layer for more information about Hotlink Module layers.
Library Parts in Hotlink Modules
- Linked Library Parts: Placing a Hotlink module does not import any linked Library Parts. Make sure that the Library Parts used by the source are also available to the host, by doing one of the following:
- Use the same Libraries for both source and host
- Add the source’s Libraries to the host file’s libraries
- Embedded Library Parts: Placing a Hotlink module adds the
source file’s entire Embedded library to your host file’s Embedded library. The newly
added Embedded library can be seen in your Library Manager, inside the automatically
created “Hotlinks” folder of your Embedded library. In this folder, each Hotlink source
file is listed separately along with all of their embedded objects. These objects will be
updated in your host project if they are updated in the source project.
Important: It is not recommended to place any these objects into your project separately. These objects will be deleted from the Embedded Library if the Hotlink module is deleted from the project, or if all placed instances of the module are deleted. (You will notice the deletions after you re-open the host file.)