About Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

 

 Certain applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) support what is known as Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). Such applications, referred to as OLE-compliant or OLE container applications, allow you to retrieve a Version 5 document i.e. a part, a drawing or an assembly (referred to, in an OLE context, as the OLE document server).

You can either link or embed the contents of the geometry area of a Version 5 document:

  • Linking the document means that all changes made to it in a Version 5 session are also made to the document inserted in the OLE-compliant application.
    However, if you move the target file to another directory the link is severed. The graphic representation still exists but can no longer be edited (unless the link is repaired via the Edit>Links menu in the OLE-compliant application.
  • Embedding the document means that a copy of the document is inserted in the document within the OLE-compliant application. As no links are created, any changes made to the document in the Version 5 session are not made to the document in the OLE-compliant application.

The linked or embedded document appears as an image (or, if you specify otherwise, as an icon). When the document is double-clicked, a normal Version 5 session is displayed.
 
OLE is available on Windows only. 
Version 5 documents may be linked or embedded in host container documents. Linking is always allowed. Embedding is forbidden in demo mode. Embedding of CATIA V4 models is also forbidden.

Only .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CATDrawing, .CATAnalysis and .model documents implement OLE document server.
  Version 5 supports the Microsoft /regserver and /unregserver options for OLE. If you experience problems with OLE features, for example, if double-clicking a document icon does not start a session as expected:

  1. Log on as administrator.

  2. Open a command prompt window.

  3. Go to the folder where Version 5 is installed, typically:

    C:\Program Files\DassaultSystemes\Bn\intel_a\code\bin

    (where n is the current release number)

  4. Run the following command once only:

    cnext /regserver

If you have installed several levels of Version 5, running this command activates (for OLE purposes) the level of Version 5 installed in the folder in which you run the command.