Creating linked resources

Folders and files can be linked to locations in the file system outside of the project's location. These special folders and files are called linked resources.

To create a linked folder:

1. In one of the navigation views, right-click the project or folder where you want to create the linked folder.
2. From the pop-up menu, select New > Folder.
3. Specify the name of the folder as it will appear in the workbench. This name can be different from the name of the folder in the file system.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Check Link to alternate location (Linked Folder).
6. Enter a file system path, or click Browse to select a folder in the file system.
7. Click Finish.

To create a linked file, follow the same steps as above, except choose New > File instead of New > Folder in the context menu.

Linked resource locations can also be specified relative to a variable. This makes it easier to share projects containing linked resources with other team members, since it avoids hard-coded absolute file system paths that may vary from one machine to the next.

To define a linked resource relative to a path variable, do the following after step 5 above:

6. Click the Variables button.
7. In the resulting dialog, select an existing path variable or create a new one.
8. If the chosen variable defines the exact path of the linked resource, click OK. Otherwise, click Extend to specify a file or folder below the location described by the path variable, then click OK.
9. Click Finish.

Tip: The General > Workspace > Linked Resources preference page also allows you to define path variables.

Note that, once you create a linked resource you will be able to change the link target path that you entered in step 6. or 8. above. by selecting the Edit... button in the File > Properties > Resource property page of the linked resource.

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