2004

Link Database Records to Graphical Objects | 739
association between the graphical object and the database table by creating
a link, which references one or more records stored in the table. You cannot
create links to nongraphical objects such as layers and linetypes.
Links are tightly connected with the graphical objects they are associated
with. If you move or copy a linked object, the link is moved or copied with
it. If you delete a linked object, the link is also deleted.
When you create a link, a dynamic relationship is established between the
database record and the object. If, for example, you convert a room from a
storage area to an office in the database table, AutoCAD provides a mecha-
nism to update the information stored in the drawing so that it matches the
table.
To establish links between table records and graphical objects, you must first
create a link template. Link templates identify what fields from a table are
associated with the links that share that template. For example, you can
create a link template that uses the field Room Number from a room database
table. You can then use this link template to create links that point to
different records in the database table.
Link templates also function as shortcuts that point to the database tables
that they’re based on. You can use the link templates that are associated with
a drawing to open the tables that they reference for viewing or editing. This
is particularly useful if you have a large number of data sources configured
on your system. Rather than scrolling through a list of data sources each time
you want to locate an individual table, you can open it directly from the
drawing node of the drawing that it is associated with. To open a link
template’s table, right-click a link template in the dbConnect Manager and
choose View Table or Edit Table.
You can attach multiple links using different link templates to a single graph-
ical object. This is useful when you want to associate data from multiple
database tables with an individual object.
Links in External References and Blocks
Links stored in externally referenced drawings cannot be viewed or modified
in the master drawing that they’re attached to. This information is only
available when you open the source drawing directly.
Links contained in blocks are available, but can only be accessed through the
REFEDIT command.