Arch Reference

Floor

Window

Arch

Arch Reference
Menu location
Arch → Reference
Workbenches
Arch
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
-
See also
Arch BuildingPart

Description

The Reference tool allows you to place an object in the current document that copies its shape and colors from a Part-based object (including Arch BuildingPart) stored in another FreeCAD file. If that FreeCAD file changes, the reference object is marked to be reloaded.

Usage

1. Press the Arch Reference button,
2. Press the "Choose file..." button and select an existing FreeCAD file,
3. Select one of the included Part-based objects from the drop-down list,
4. Press OK.

Options

• The reference object can be moved and rotated, the current position will be retained after reloading the object.
• If the original object gets moved in containing file, this movement will reflect in the reference object.
• By right-clicking a Reference object in the tree view, you have the options to reload the original object, or open the containing file.
• To reference several objects at once, place them inside an Arch BuildingPart.
• When turning off the Update Colors view property of the Reference, it won't reload the original colors anymore, so you can safely change them.

Properties

• DataFile: The base file this component is built upon
• DataPart: The part to use from the base file
• ViewUpdate Colors: If true, the colors from the linked file will be kept updated

Scripting

The Reference tool can by used in macros and from the python console by using the following function:

makeReference ([file_path,object_name])

creates a Reference object from the given object in the given file.

Example:

import Arch
Arch.makeReference("/path/to/some/file.FSCtd","myPart")

Floor

Window

Arch

Arch

• Elements: Wall, Structure, Curtain Wall, Window, Roof, Space, Stairs, Equipment, Frame, Fence, Truss, Profile, Pipe, Pipe Connector
• Reinforcements: Straight Rebar, U-Shape Rebar, L-Shape Rebar, Stirrup, Bent-Shape Rebar, Helical Rebar, Column Reinforcement, Beam Reinforcement, Slab Reinforcement, Footing Reinforcement, Custom Rebar
• Panels: Panel, Panel Cut, Panel Sheet, Nest
• Materials: Material, Multi-Material
• Organization: Building Part, Project, Site, Building, Level, External reference, Section Plane, Schedule
• Axes: Axis, Axes system, Grid

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• Modification: Cut with plane, Add component, Remove component, Survey

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• Utilities: Component, Clone component, Split Mesh, Mesh to Shape, Select non-manifold meshes, Remove Shape from Arch, Close Holes, Merge Walls, Check, Toggle IFC Brep flag, 3 Views from mesh, Create IFC spreadsheet, Toggle Subcomponents
• Additional: Preferences, Import Export Preferences (IFC, DAE, OBJ, JSON, 3DS, SHP), IfcOpenShell, IfcPlusPlus, Arch API

User documentation

• Getting started
• Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
• Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate

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• Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
• Workbenches: Std Base, Arch, Assembly, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Start, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework, Web

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• Addons: Addon Manager, External workbenches, Scripting and macros

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• Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub