Unlocking the locked: hotlinks & x-ref
Whilst we might use hotlinked modules and x-refs for different items, there are times when we want to liberate information from this locked state.
Typically x-ref's are used to deal with traditonal 2d consutant data from 3rd part software. In turn we will want to reuse this information to enhance our documentation output and inform our design models.
Hotlinked modules on the other hand are used to insert repeated building assemblies or subassemblies created natively within ArchiCAD. As a design progresses it may become clear that some assemblies will evolve into "one off" instances.
In both cases the method will be largely the same.
Firstly suspend groups. This will allow you to select only the relevant information.
Eg: in a survey you first want to only select the boundary information. For a complex selection use the find & select tool.
Next open the layer dialogue box to ensure that no layers are locked. Locked layers may cause interference in the process.
Select the items you want (preferably using for Find & Select for a large selection).
Tip: do this for all items you want to copy to one layer. Eg: lines, arcs, polylines, fills from several layers form the information for a road.
Copy & paste. (<Crtl> C & <Ctrl> V)
Undo & redo so all the items are now selected. (<Crtl> Z & <Ctrl><shift> Z)
Use edit selection set to allocate all items types to a layer in one action
