What Is Xref??

By Author: Kimberly Smith
Total Articles: 69
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Xref actually means the existing drawing has an external reference or link to other autocad file located in some other folder. Xref located in one folder can link to many other autocad files. Xref is mainly used for larger project. Xref is process if linking a file at one place to many other autocad drawing files. Using xref in larger project makes the project’s work fast as it reduces or minimizes the file size. Thus, by using xref we can save our project completion time along with maintaining the accuracy of the project.

Major reasons to use xref in larger projects:

1. Xref helps to minimize the file size of the project.

2. One can work on individual or separate component of the project using xref.

3. Xref can be easily loaded, unloaded, attached or even detached from the main drawing of the project file at any instant during project cycle.

4. Working with xref is most efficient and smart way of working in autocad.

5. One can also create or convert drawing to xref which can be used again and again in future projects.

Attaching a xref :

Attaching xref means linking ...
... other drawing file to the current file. Attachment of drawing can be done using XR command. To attach xref we can go to attach drawing on the top left of autocad window. Once xref is created we can use or link xref file and can also attach xref as many times as we want in future.

Detaching a xref :

By detaching xref from current file, file size is minimized and we can work on project individual components. Thus, detaching xref means minimizing project file size for completing the project faster and saves overall project cycle time. Attachment of xref in project can be done at any time of interval during project cycle.

Points to be kept in mind while working with xref :

1. The most important thing to be taken care is the point of insertion. Everyone working on the same project should set their coordinate to be identical and should not be changed at any time of interval.

2. While attaching xref you have to insert the file’s block and layers also. Automatically autocad makes new layer name based on file name and xref name.

3. During printing of drawing autocad automatically reload the attached xref.

4. For attaching xref the xref file location should be known as we need to browse the file by giving path of the xref file.

5. Now a days in autocad updated version we can edit xref by clicking to edit xref in place in the current drawing itself.

This helps to make task to be completed faster as we should not have to open original xref and edit option.

After insertion of xref you can see xref palette updated with new xref. Thus now many options are available to you by just right clicking the mouse button like attach another xref, detach current xref, and reload the current xref as xrefs get changed.

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