Prevent the Selection of a Link

Video: Prevent the Selection of a Link

When you link DWG files or Revit files into a project, the link remains selectable. Because the link is selectable, you might select and move accidentally, or the pre-highlighting of the link might get in the way when you try to author new elements. While the link can be pinned in position so it cannot be moved by accident, a pinned element will still pre-highlight as the cursor rolls over it.

When the link is being used only as a reference, you may want to prevent both the pre-highlighting and selection of the link geometry. In this case, you can place the link into a design option to prevent selection.

To do this: Link the DWG or RVT file into the project as normal. After the link is positioned in the project correctly, use the Pin command from the Modify tab of the ribbon to “hold” the link in place. Next, open the Design Options dialog by clicking the Design Options button on the Manage tab or on the status bar. In the Design Options dialog, create a new option where the link can be placed. Create an option set and give it a name. A primary option is created automatically. The option set can be selected and renamed in the dialog. After you create the Option Set for the link, close the Design Options dialog.

Now, the link can be placed into the design option to make it un-selectable. To do this, select the link in the drawing area. On the Manage tab, select Add to Set, or select Add to Set from the options area of the status bar. In the Add to Design Option Set dialog, select the option set created in the previous steps, and click ok. This adds the link to the option set. To keep the link from being selected, be sure you are working in the “Main Model” and the “Exclude Options” check box is selected. To remove or work with the link, use the Design Options dialog to select the option for editing, or uncheck the “Exclude Options” box, and make edits as required.