Resolve a file search

Two strings, Relative path and File name, are used to store references to files.

Relative path

From the first edit folder containing the referenced file, or if no such folder exists, the relative path from the folder of the source file, and if that does not exist, the full absolute path to the referenced file.

File Name

When you open a file, Autodesk Inventor LT searches for components in the following order:

• work path.
• The folder containing the file.

When a part is placed in a drawing, the location of the referenced file is saved in the drawing document. The drawing uses this information to locate the referenced part the next time the drawing is opened. The first file found that matches the naming information stored in the parent document is loaded.

If a part is not found, an automatic resolve process follows a set sequence of steps to resolve the search. If the search is not successful, the Resolve Link dialog box opens, where you can add a substitution rule and repeat the search process. Once the part is found and the referencing file is saved, the location is automatically recorded for future use.

To resolve a file search

Depending on the reasons a file is not found, you can take corrective action:

• Move the file to the work path location. If you move the folder to a subfolder of the work path, use the Resolve Link dialog box to establish the correct relative path.
• If the file exists within the work path location, use the Resolve Link dialog box to enter the location.

In the Resolve Link dialog box, choose an option:

An automatic resolve process follows a set sequence of steps:

1. References are searched in order through the work path folder.
2. If not found, the folder containing the source file is searched.
3. If the reference is identical to another that was previously resolved manually by the user choosing a file with the different name, the same replacement is applied.

If a file is still not found, the Resolve Link dialog box opens where you can specify the location of the referenced file. Once you find a file through this dialog box and open it, you can record the location for future use in the form of a path substitution rule.

Depending on the reasons that the file was not found, you can take corrective actions:

• Cancel the open and move the file to the work path location. If you move the folder to a subfolder of the work path, use the Resolve Link dialog box once to establish the correct relative path.
• If the file exists within a location defined by the work path, use the Resolve Link dialog box to enter the location.
• If the file is temporarily unavailable, such as when a network is unavailable, skip the reference and work without the referenced file.
• If the referenced file was permanently deleted, skip the reference, and then later delete or replace it.