Issue description
When you attempt to update a hotlink, changes does not reflect correctly or the model does not update, even when hotlink instances are visible in the project. Additionally, when you review the Hotlink Module Manager, the Hotlink source(s) status reads as Missing or Not accessible, and the Update button is disabled or has no effect.
The Missing/Not available status indicates the stored hotlink source path is no longer valid. (expand for details)
- Source file ( .pln or module file) was moved or deleted from the location in your computer.
- Source file name changed.
- Source file is not available in a local drive accessible to everyone.
- BIMcloud project/folder containing sources was relocated or renamed.
- Teamwork project was shared but hotlink sources were not uploaded to BIMcloud, so anyone without access to the local address will experience this issue.
Solution
By relinking the hotlink sources, you can restore access and re-enable updates without recreating the hotlink placement.
The relinking workflow/best practices are slightly different for solo projects and teamwork projects:
Relink hotlinks in solo projects (local sources)
IMPORTANT:
- Ensure you keep both the host file and its hotlink sources consistently stored on local paths accessible to everyone working on the project, to simplify relinking and to prevent future missing/not accessible states.
- Read this guide on file storage best practices; specially if you are planning to use third-party file hosting services
Follow the steps below if you are working in a solo project file and your hotlinks reference other solo projects, or module files locally.
- Store the host solo project file and all intended hotlink source files on drives that are mounted and accessible from your computer, ideally in a consistent local folder structure.
- Open the host file and go to File > External Content > Hotlink Module Manager
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Under Hotlink Sources select each source that shows Missing or Not Accessible in the list, then click Relink > from File.
- In Choose Hotlink source window, browse to the new source file(s) location on your local drive or local network; click on the correct project or module file.
- Click Select to confirm the source file and return to the Hotlink Module Manager.
- The status of the source will now show Relink, and the location will be updated.
- Click OK to apply changes from each restored local source file to all placed hotlink instances in the host solo project.
Repeat these steps to relink every local source that was moved/renamed.
Relink hotlinks in teamwork projects (BIMcloud sources)
For teamwork projects, it is best practice that you store all hotlink sources on BIMcloud not on local paths that may not be available to all team members.
Follow the steps below to relink files once you have uploaded them to BIMcloud:
- Open the teamwork project and ensure your status in the teamwork palette is Online.
- Go to File > External Content > Hotlink Module Manager.
- Click Reserve in the Hotlink Module Manager to make changes.
- Under Hotlink Sources, select each source that appears as Missing/Not Accessible.
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Click on Relink...>from BIMcloud.
- Locate the hotlink source file and click Select to confirm.
- If a Locked Hotlink Instances dialog appears, choose whether to Reserve all instances so the relink affects every instance, or Continue anyway to relink only the instances currently reserved by you.
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Back in the Hotlink Module Manager, verify that the status of each relinked BIMcloud source is now Relink.
- Click OK and Release to apply changes from each restored local source file.
- Click Send & release in the prompted window to make changes visible to other users in the project.
You will now be able to update/edit the placed instances of the hotlinked file.
TIPS:
- Store hotlink sources on BIMcloud and relink them if necessary after sharing a host file as a teamwork project, so every team member can access the same source.
- Make sure to place the hotlink source files in a folder that belongs to the BIMcloud project where your host file was shared as a teamwork project.
- Reserve hotlink instances before relinking in teamwork projects so the source change applies to all intended modules.