External meta-data associations are used for GUI layout files ( .sui), XSLT parameter sets ( .xsltp), Custom Content files ( .scc), and so on. Different meta-data must have a unique defined suffix (such as sui, xsltp, scc) which is used to compose meta-data file names.
Serna supports several association levels in order of precedence. Serna tries to find meta-data files on these levels when it is launched or when documents are opened or created. If it finds a meta-data file on some level, it ignores all other levels. Meta-data files of different types are searched for independently. For example, Serna may find XSLT parameter settings on the template-specific level, and the GUI Layout settings on the built-in level.
For more details about external meta-data files and possible levels, see GUI Layout and Functional Settings (or simply Views).
For more details about levels priority, see View Activation Priority.