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External variable |
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External variables are used in parametrical fragments and models. Generation of variables and assignment to them the «external» status is performed on creation of a fragment (model).
External variable in a parametric fragment is a variable whose value can be changed in the main document – a document into which the fragment is inserted. The main purpose of external variables in a parametrical fragment is to control the parameters of a fragment inserted into the document without editing this fragment «outwards».
External variable in a model is a variable whose value is available and can be changed in another model containing this one as a component. The main purpose of external variables in a model is to control dimensions and topology of a model after its inserting into another model.
An attribute of an external variable is the symbol 
in the line of that variable on Variables toolbars.
Only a user defined variable can have the «external» status. Therefore, to make an external variable affect an image or a model, the user variable needs to be included into an expression for calculation of the required variable of dimension or an operation parameter. More details about entering an expression...
To make the user variable external, select a cell in the row of this variable and invoke the External 
from the context menu. The icon near the command name in the menu will be selected. A repeated fetch of the command will return the variable to its initial state.
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If an external variable is also marked as informational, it will be visible in the main document but cannot be modified. The «informational» status is assigned to an external variable when creating or editing a fragment (model). To do this, use the Informational command in the context menu of the variable on the Variables toolbar. |
