Linking Multiple Models, Copying Linked File when New Models Posted

[mark_dinius]

I'll start with the problem and then what my ideal solution would be and some thoughts on alternative solutions.

Problem: I receive 20+ model uploads every two weeks that are not linked together. Each upload, I have to open one of the files and then link in all the other models. The file names are always the same for each upload.

Solution: Build a container file (no model geometry, just links), that has all the files linked using the "relative" path. When I get a round of models, I copy the container file into the folder with all the other models, then open the container file to see all the models within that folder as the container file.

I don't think this will work as even the "relative" path moves out of the current folder and tries to find the original folder where you built the links. Meaning, if I set up all the links into the current folder, then download new models into an adjacent folder and copy the container file into that folder, when I open the container file, the relative path will take me back to the folder I established all the links into. I think the only solution would be to create an "Active" folder with all the current models in there linked up. Then when I get new models, I move all the previous models to a different folder and insert all the new models into the "Active" folder and open the container file. Ideally if I could move the blank container file, it's significantly less data moving around, and thus I'm here looking to see if anyone has advice or experience with a similar problem/solution.

Thanks,

Mark

[Alfredo_Medina]

@mark_dinius 

I can think of 2 solutions:

Solution 1) Have one and only one "container" file, that you update every two weeks, by going to the Manage Links dialog box, and doing "Reload from" to each of the links, browsing to the files in the most current folder. 

Solution 2) Have a folder named "Current", where you have always the same set of files. When you get new files, move the old files out of the current folder and put them in an "Archive" folder with the date. And put the new set of files in the Current folder. Then, just open your "container" file, and your model will update automatically, without having to use "Reload from".