Insert an embedded object

File > Import / export > Embedded object, OLEFRAME

You can embed a file that has been created in another Windows application into a DRW drawing as an OLE frame. The embedded object becomes a part of the CAD drawing. This makes it easier to send drawings by email, since you have to attach only the CAD drawing.

Insert an embedded object into the drawing

You can insert an embedded object in multiple ways. Below are instructions for three of the most commonly used methods.

  • Copy a part of a file:

    1. Copy the section of the file that you want to embed.

    2. In Draw, select Edit > Paste special. The Paste Special dialog opens.

    3. Select the pasting method:

      1. File format application – Select this option if you want to be able to edit the embedded object afterwards.

      2. Embedded object (static) – Select this option if you want to insert the file as a static embedded object that you cannot edit later.

    4. Click OK.

      If you embed an object that has multiple pages, the program only shows the first page. You can still see all the pages if you edit the embedded object.

  • Select a file to embed:

    1. Select Draw > Embedded object. The Insert Object dialog opens.

    2. Click Browse. The File Explorer opens.

    3. Select the file that you want to embed.

    4. Click Open.

    5. Click OK.

  • Drag a file from the File Explorer:

    1. Open the CAD drawing that you want to insert an embedded object to.

    2. Click the file that you want to embed in the File Explorer and hold the button down.

    3. Move the cursor above the CAD drawing.

    4. Release the mouse button.

If you are embedding a PDF file, the program uses a special function for that and the embedded object is not affected by the OLE frame properties.

Embedded object and static embedded object

The program embeds the objects by default in a way that you can edit the contents of the object. The embedded object data can be in any file format.

A static embedded object is an object whose contents are locked and that you cannot edit afterwards. If you want to edit the contents of a static embedded object, edit the original file and embed the file again into the drawing. You should use static embedded objects for data that you know or presume will not change in the future, such as company logos.

Edit an embedded object

Note that you can only edit regular embedded objects.

Do the following:

  1. Double-click the frame of an embedded object whose contents you want to edit. A program that matches the file format of the embedded object opens.

  2. Edit the contents of the object in the program.

  3. Close the program.

Draw automatically updates the contents of the embedded object.

Note that the frame of the embedded object does not change when you edit the contents of the object, and the content stretches to fill the frame. If you edit the object outside of the original file section, such as by adding text rows, and you want to view the object in actual scale, embed the file again.

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