Softimage SDK Programmer's Guide > Working with the SDK > Working with Files and Paths >

# Getting External File Information

You can get a FileReferenceCollection or CRefArray of FileReference objects representing each external file referenced in the scene or scene or model or model via Model.ExternalFiles property or Model::GetExternalFiles member function or Scene.ExternalFiles property or Scene::GetExternalFiles member function. These FileReference or FileReference objects are available whether they exist in the referenced location or not, which you can test with FileReference.FileExists method or FileReference::FileExists member function.

## Python Example: Getting the List of External Files on a Model

This example demonstrates how to get the list of external files on a specific model.

    from win32com.client import constants as c
    app = Application
    app.NewScene("", 0)
    root = app.ActiveSceneRoot

    # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    # CONVENIENCE FUNCTION
    #
    def printFileInfo( in_file ) :
    	# Get the original path
    	orig_path = in_file.Name

    	app.LogMessage( "FileType: " + in_file.FileType )

    	if in_file.FileExists() :
    		app.LogMessage( in_file.Name + " exists" )

    		# Get the resolved path
    		rslv_path = in_file.ResolvedPath

    		# Get the UNC path
    		unc_path = in_file.UNCPath

    		# Print all three results
    		app.LogMessage( "ORIGINAL: " + orig_path )
    		app.LogMessage( "RESOLVED: " + rslv_path )
    		app.LogMessage( "UNC     : " + unc_path )
    	else :
    		app.LogMessage( "Specified FileReference does NOT exist" )

    # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    # MAIN
    #

    # First import a model so we have some external files to find
    FPath = app.InstallationPath( c.siFactoryPath )
    refModels = app.ImportRefModels( XSIUtils.BuildPath(FPath, "Data", "XSI_SAMPLES", "Models", "Man_Face.emdl") )

    # Enumerate all files related to this model
    oModel = root.Models(0)
    extFileList = oModel.ExternalFiles
    for file in extFileList :
    	printFileInfo( file )

    # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    # OUTPUT
    #
    # INFO : FileType: Models
    # INFO : E:\Softimage\Softimage_2013\Data\XSI_SAMPLES\Models\Man_Face.emdl exists
    # INFO : ORIGINAL: C:\Softimage\Softimage_2013\Data\XSI_SAMPLES\Models\Man_Face.emdl
    # INFO : RESOLVED: C:\Softimage\Softimage_2013\Data\XSI_SAMPLES\Models\Man_Face.emdl
    # INFO : UNC     : C:\Softimage\Softimage_2013\Data\XSI_SAMPLES\Models\Man_Face.emdl
    # INFO : FileType: Models
    # INFO : Specified FileReference does NOT exist