2004

Table Of Contents
Work with Links in Files from Earlier Releases | 767
Work with Links in Files from Earlier
Releases
Because AutoCAD 2000 and later releases store links in a different format
than previous releases, you need to convert your links if you plan on using
them with AutoCAD 2000 and later. Note the changes in terminology: key
value replaces key column in Release 14; link template replaces link path name;
and label replaces displayable attribute. You also need to create a configuration
file that points to the data source referenced by the legacy links.
When you open a drawing that contains legacy links, AutoCAD attempts to
perform an automatic conversion of the legacy information. If, for example,
you open a Release 14 drawing that contains links that point to a data source
with the structure db3.ase.db3sample.computer(com), AutoCAD attempts to
establish an exact, one-to-one mapping of the data source components.
In some cases, the legacy data source might not match exactly how the data
source is configured. For example, the legacy data source might specify a
catalog that isn’t specified in the data source. If the automatic link conver-
sion is unsuccessful, you can use the new Link Conversion dialog box to
establish a mapping between the legacy and new data sources. You can also
use the Link Template Properties dialog box to specify new data source
parameters for a selected link template.
During the conversion process, AutoCAD writes the data source mapping
information to a file called asi.ini. You can manually edit the conversion
mapping information specified in this file, if necessary.
Note AutoCAD attempts to automatically convert legacy links only for data
sources that don’t have mapping values specified in the asi.ini file. Once you
have specified conversion mappings for a particular data source, AutoCAD uses
the settings specified in the asi.ini file for any additional legacy drawings you
open that contain links that reference this data source.