Attached Assets are stored in the Asset Database Neutral File Object. While users can perform certain actions on attached assets, users cannot interact with attached assets like they can with regular assets. In order to do so, you must copy the attached asset as a regular asset to the Asset Database.


The following criteria must be met to Copy an attached asset:


Copy Attached Assets to the Asset Database

In the Attached Asset Explorer, select the attached assets you wish to copy to the Asset Database


You can select multiple attached assets, you must however make sure that the following selection criteria are met:

    • The attached assets must belong to the same neutral file. You cannot select and copy attached assets which belong to multiple neutral files.
    • The templates of the attached assets cannot have a parent-descendant relationship.
    • The attached assets or their descendants must not be shared.
    • You cannot select a Neutral File or Graphical Primitive.
    • If the copy function must add or update Appearances, Icons and Templates make sure you have activated a task which includes the "Appearances, Icons and Schema" scope. 


    • Right-mouse click and select "Copy to..." in the context menu.

      The application will display an error message if above selection criteria are not met:



    • If you have selected assets which meet above selection criteria the application will display the "Attached Asset Copy Wizard".
    • You will not be able to continue past the initial "Schema Validation" wizard page in case the selected attached assets have a parent-descendant relationship or when the attached assets or their descendants are shared. In both of these cases, the page will present a list of Templates that violate the selection rules.



    • If the Copy function must add or update Appearances, Icons and or Templates the "Schema Validation" page will list which Appearances, Icons and Templates must be added. If your current task scope does not have the appropriate scope you will see an error and cannot proceed the wizard to the next page. If you do have the appropriate scope press "Next" to proceed to the next page.
    • The "Parent Asset Selection" page will prompt you to select a target asset into which the selected attached asset will be copied.

      • If you selected "V-Suite" exported attached assets you must select a target asset which is a valid parent of the selected attached assets.

        For example if you selected an attached asset of template "Discipline" you must select a target asset of template "Area".

      • If you selected CAD converted attached assets you must either select a valid target asset which is already a valid parent of the selected attached assets or you must select an asset of template "CAD Folder".

    • Press "Next" to proceed to the "Copy Options" page. You will be prompted to choose whether you want mesh-type graphical primitives to be converted to basic primitives (like cylinder, cone etc.). Please note that choosing to simplify the graphical primitives will drastically impact the performance.

Simplifying graphical primitives will increase the time to copy the attached assets considerably (dependent on the number of mesh primitives).


    • Press "Next" to start the copy action.

      The copy function will consolidate the attached asset (meta) data with the asset database meta data:

      • An attached asset template will be created if an asset template with that name and namespace does not exist yet in the asset database.
      • An attached asset template icon will be created if an icon with that name does not yet exist in the asset database.
      • An attached asset will be made a valid child if its asset template is not a valid child.
      • The attached asset appearance will be created in the asset database if an appearance with that name does not yet exist.
      • An attached attribute set template will be created if an attribute set template with that name and namespace does not yet exist in the asset database.
      • An attached attribute template will be created if an attribute template with that name does not yet exist or the data type differs.


Once the meta data is consolidated the function will proceed to create (clone) the workspace assets for the selected attached assets (and their descendants).