#Autocad xref how to
#Autocad xref full

XREF also allows you to minimize the time for redrawing. It means 3 people can work on the floor plan simultaneously. For example: plan-a.dwg, plan-s.dwg, plan-m.dwg. With XREF, you can divide the floor plan into several files. Your xref drawing should be inserted inside the current drawing like the above image. AutoCAD will give a warning the file is opened and ask you if you want to open it as a read-only. ProjectWise s Open Document dialog opens. Attached xrefs An attached Xref is fully attached to the base drawing and will carry through. Overlaid xrefs An overlaid Xref does not load or bring with it any nested xrefs when the base drawing is referenced into a new drawing. You want to know the difference between the two. Toolbar ( ProjectWise ): Attach DWG Reference. When linking other drawings into the current drawing, external references (xrefs) can be either attached or overlaid. Menu: ProjectWise > Insert > DWG Reference.

#Autocad xref full

Type XREF at the command line to bring the dialogue box.ģ.ěrowse for the drawing you want to xref.Ħ.ğor the path, choose Full path for this tutorial.ħ.ğor insertion point, scale and rotation: leave them unchecked for this tutorial. Select one of the following: Ribbon: ProjectWise > Reference > Attach.

In other words: if you were to look at a tree diagram, it only goes one level deep (see image above on the left).Īttachment xrefs bring unlimited dependent xrefs and levels (see image above on the right). Overlay: only brings what you draw inside that xref sheet. They allow for multiple drawings to be linked together. There are two types of xrefs: Overlay and Attachment. In conclusion, Xrefs in AutoCAD are a powerful tool for managing and organizing complex projects. And that is when the xref comes in handy. The idea here is to reduce steps and time by drawing anything in common once. Do you want to copy again? Or do you want to just change the xref and that is it. Let us say you want to make it larger or want to chamfer the edges. If you copy the drawing you will have to copy it again if you want to make changes to that rectangle. Some of you might think: What if I draw it once and then copy it to each drawing? So instead of drawing that rectangle twice, it would be wise to draw it once and xref it to both drawings. The two other sheets have circles, etc., but they both have one thing in common: a rectangle. I will call them sheet 1, sheet 2 and sheet 3 (see images below). Xref is used to cross reference plans and objects because you want to minimize repetitions, maximize consistency, save time and increase productivity.

#Autocad xref how to

If you are going to use the software for work or you are looking to advance further, you will need to know how to use the xref command. Xref is the most useful command from AutoCAD. XREF - AutoCAD tutorial step by step instructions: