Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions about On-Screen Takeoff’s Auto Link feature.
General
- What is Auto Link? Auto Link automatically creates Named views and Hot Links between plan symbols and their reference details.
- What file types are supported? All file types that On-Screen Takeoff supports.
- Can I use Auto Link on existing projects? Sure, and be sure to run it on all new Projects.
Coverage
- Does it work on revision plans? Yes, but see Best Practices below.
- Does it work on Overlays? No.
- Which symbols are supported? Circle symbols for v.1.
Processing
- How long does it take? Depends on how many Pages are in your Project - more Pages more processing time. For a smaller Project (50 or so Pages), expect a minute or two.
- Can I keep working while it runs? Yes, Auto Link works in the background. You can even run Auto Link on multiple Projects at the same time.
- What if no symbols are found? You’ll see a popup notification.
Managing Links
- What is the Views tab? A list of all Named Views (Hot Links) - those created by Auto Link and those you create yourself.
- How do I delete the Named Views Auto Link creates? Select one or more Named Views in the Views tab and click Delete.
- How can I tell Named Views that Auto Link created vs. those I create? Auto-generated views display an Auto Link icon:
. - Where are the actual Hot Links and Named Views stored? Two additional System, Layers are now added to all Projects: a Hot Links layer and a Named Views layer.
Troubleshooting
- Why didn’t some symbols link? Possible causes: blurry sheet numbers, unsupported symbols, or missing built-in links.
Best Practices
- When should I run Auto Link? It’s best if you use Auto Link at Project setup, after running Auto Name. That way, they links are available to you ask you work your Project.
- How should I handle revision plans? When you add or replace Plans, you may need to run Auto Link again. Remember, when you re-run Auto Link, all existing Hot Links and Named Views (created by Auto Link) are deleted and new ones built based on the current detail callouts on the updated Plans.
Additional
- Will Auto Link support more symbols in the future? Yes, AI support will expand beyond circle symbols.
- Does Auto Link require internet? Yes.
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