In this series, you will be introduced about Xref applications and notes to apply Xref in AutoCAD drawing presentment. Xref is very useful feature and it will give an efficiency consist of quality and time for make a project drawing.
Xref applications
In a profile of the project of designing consist of architecture, structure, M&E, construction of method. It always has the most common parts to be used in almost all the drawings. The change in the content of this section will be updated on all drawings related to their content. These sections can be as following:
- Drawing’s frame or call paper frame.
- Main Grid of system
- Slab plan per floor
If you present independent per drawing, it will lead to a large workload when your customer would like to change. Although, a change of content is very small but it relate to a lot of drawing. So how should you do? Don’t worry about that. With Xref feature in AutoCAD which can overcome this problem.
Xref in AutoCAD is a tool that allows one or more DWG files (secondary file) uses the contents of one or more DWG files (primary file), when you change the original object will be applied in child objects.
For example, you change the size of a column section anything and one of the changes will be applied to be relative plan or, when you add more opening on floor plan, it would appear on the beam plan and floor rebar plan.
This application will be necessary in group activities. When responsible person assigned control the original drawing, he only needs to change and update for all group members.
Notes when using Xref
Xref is a powerful tool. If you applyunreasonable, it will lead to unnecessary thing. Therefore, according to our experience, you need to note the following points when using Xref tool.
- LAYER – Xref objects will be assigned current layer. In many cases have Xref objects Depoint layer. The result is the empty when print the drawings. My advice that you need to create a habit to change layer before running Xref command.
- PATH – There are 3 types of path: a full path, a relative path, a no path. Full Path is a fully specified hierarchy of folders that locates the file reference. A full path includes a local hard drive letter, a URL to a website, or a network server drive letter. This is the most specific but least flexible option; Relative Path is partially specified folder paths that assume the current drive letter or the folder of the host drawing. This is the most flexible option, and enables you to move a set of drawings from your current drive to a different drive that uses the same folder structure; No Path option is useful when moving a set of drawings to a different folder hierarchy or to an unknown folder hierarchy.
- TYPE OF Xref – There are two types. Overlay – It only brings what you draw inside that xref sheet. No other dependent sheet. Attachment – It bring unlimited dependent xrefs and levels.
