Create external references and identify the file types that can be used for xrefs.
Transcript
00:04
External references are commonly referred to as X
00:07
refs. And I'll use this term from this point forward during this video
00:12
X ref functions similar to blocks.
00:15
However, with an X
00:16
ref when the externally reference file changes,
00:20
any drawing that references it are automatically updated when they are opened,
00:26
no need to reinsert or reimport as you would have to do with blocks.
00:33
There are a few ways to bring XS into AUTOCAD,
00:36
but I find the simplest way to do it is to type in the command X
00:41
which opens up the external references pallet.
00:45
From here, I can go to the upper left hand corner
00:48
and choose the file type that I want to bring in. In this case, I want to attach ad
00:53
WG file
00:55
in the select reference file dialogue box.
00:58
I can pick one or many references that I want to bring in
01:03
for. Now, I'll choose the top drawing the design knew
01:07
I'll click the open button
01:09
and then in the attach external reference dialog box,
01:12
I can assign a specific scale an insertion point which usually should be zero,
01:18
comma zero.
01:19
I can choose the path type.
01:22
And if any rotation needs to be applied to it.
01:26
One of the most important options here though
01:29
is the reference type.
01:31
We have a choice of attachment or overlay.
01:34
It's a good idea to choose overlay rather than attachment so
01:39
that this file does not come along with the host drawing.
01:42
If it will be referenced into another file,
01:45
I'll choose overlay for this file.
01:47
But then for one of the other references, I'll choose attachment.
01:51
So for now with overlay chosen, I'll click the OK button,
01:55
close the external reference dialog box
01:59
and you can see the new design came into this drawing.
02:03
Now I'll start the
02:04
XREF command again
02:06
to grab one of the other drawings.
02:08
This time,
02:09
I'll grab the Topo
02:10
new
02:12
and I'll choose attachment.
02:14
I'll leave all the other options the same
02:17
and I'll click the OK button.
02:19
You'll notice that that drawing comes in
02:22
and you might be asking OK.
02:24
Well, I didn't see a difference between attachment and overlay.
02:29
This becomes important. If
02:32
you are going to X
02:34
ref this drawing, the finish grading sheet generic. If this was to be X
02:40
reffed into another drawing,
02:42
the new to
02:43
BO would come along with it.
02:45
So this can present issues with circular references down the road.
02:49
So that's why it's a preference to use
02:53
overlay versus attach.
02:56
Now, before we wrap up,
02:58
let's discuss the types of files that can be externally referenced.
03:02
We saw that we could bring in DWG files. But if I type in the command X
03:08
ref again,
03:09
you'll also notice that we can bring in image files,
03:14
DWF files,
03:16
DGN files,
03:18
PDF files,
03:20
point cloud files
03:22
and co-ordination model files from Navis works.
03:27
Now, if you choose attach image
03:30
one thing to point out here, it only shows all image files.
03:35
But those file types include
03:38
J PGS,
03:39
bitmaps
03:41
and Tiff files among many others that can be brought into AUTOCAD
03:47
as mentioned in addition to images
03:49
DWG files, DGN files,
03:53
PDF files,
03:54
point cloud files, and Navis works files.
03:59
As you can see,
04:00
XR
04:01
are an extremely valuable tool in Autocad.
04:04
They help increase efficiency by reducing work when change occurs.
04:09
X
04:09
do this by automating the process of
04:11
updating drawings when reference files change.
00:04
External references are commonly referred to as X
00:07
refs. And I'll use this term from this point forward during this video
00:12
X ref functions similar to blocks.
00:15
However, with an X
00:16
ref when the externally reference file changes,
00:20
any drawing that references it are automatically updated when they are opened,
00:26
no need to reinsert or reimport as you would have to do with blocks.
00:33
There are a few ways to bring XS into AUTOCAD,
00:36
but I find the simplest way to do it is to type in the command X
00:41
which opens up the external references pallet.
00:45
From here, I can go to the upper left hand corner
00:48
and choose the file type that I want to bring in. In this case, I want to attach ad
00:53
WG file
00:55
in the select reference file dialogue box.
00:58
I can pick one or many references that I want to bring in
01:03
for. Now, I'll choose the top drawing the design knew
01:07
I'll click the open button
01:09
and then in the attach external reference dialog box,
01:12
I can assign a specific scale an insertion point which usually should be zero,
01:18
comma zero.
01:19
I can choose the path type.
01:22
And if any rotation needs to be applied to it.
01:26
One of the most important options here though
01:29
is the reference type.
01:31
We have a choice of attachment or overlay.
01:34
It's a good idea to choose overlay rather than attachment so
01:39
that this file does not come along with the host drawing.
01:42
If it will be referenced into another file,
01:45
I'll choose overlay for this file.
01:47
But then for one of the other references, I'll choose attachment.
01:51
So for now with overlay chosen, I'll click the OK button,
01:55
close the external reference dialog box
01:59
and you can see the new design came into this drawing.
02:03
Now I'll start the
02:04
XREF command again
02:06
to grab one of the other drawings.
02:08
This time,
02:09
I'll grab the Topo
02:10
new
02:12
and I'll choose attachment.
02:14
I'll leave all the other options the same
02:17
and I'll click the OK button.
02:19
You'll notice that that drawing comes in
02:22
and you might be asking OK.
02:24
Well, I didn't see a difference between attachment and overlay.
02:29
This becomes important. If
02:32
you are going to X
02:34
ref this drawing, the finish grading sheet generic. If this was to be X
02:40
reffed into another drawing,
02:42
the new to
02:43
BO would come along with it.
02:45
So this can present issues with circular references down the road.
02:49
So that's why it's a preference to use
02:53
overlay versus attach.
02:56
Now, before we wrap up,
02:58
let's discuss the types of files that can be externally referenced.
03:02
We saw that we could bring in DWG files. But if I type in the command X
03:08
ref again,
03:09
you'll also notice that we can bring in image files,
03:14
DWF files,
03:16
DGN files,
03:18
PDF files,
03:20
point cloud files
03:22
and co-ordination model files from Navis works.
03:27
Now, if you choose attach image
03:30
one thing to point out here, it only shows all image files.
03:35
But those file types include
03:38
J PGS,
03:39
bitmaps
03:41
and Tiff files among many others that can be brought into AUTOCAD
03:47
as mentioned in addition to images
03:49
DWG files, DGN files,
03:53
PDF files,
03:54
point cloud files, and Navis works files.
03:59
As you can see,
04:00
XR
04:01
are an extremely valuable tool in Autocad.
04:04
They help increase efficiency by reducing work when change occurs.
04:09
X
04:09
do this by automating the process of
04:11
updating drawings when reference files change.
