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X-References

 

Overview

The X-Reference feature allows the AutoCad operator to save time from making the same change to several similar drawings.
An X-reference(drawing) is a drawing, typically a floor plan, that can be shared by several operators at one time, and acts as a drawing overlay, to which other important drawings can be coordinated.
Any change made to this Xref drawing will be reflected in any drawing that references it, or overlays it (do not confuse this with the overlay command discussed later in this section).

What Gets X-Referenced?

XREF diagram

In our office, the XREF operation occurs in two ways. While working in Model Space, we use the XREF overlay command to overlay the various portions of work from all of the trades involved in a given project. We overlay the base sheet into the trade specific base sheets for this, and vice-versa.

When composing a plottable sheet, all needed base plans are also XREF overlaid into Model Space, while the X-Border sheet is XREF attached into the applicable Layout (formerly Paper Space in R14).

X-Reference: Overlay or Attach?

When X-Referencing a drawing to another, you have two options.
You can:

  • Attach the XREF drawing.
  • Overlay the XREF drawing.

When you attach an XREF, the XREF becomes Nested. That is, any drawing that subsequently XREF's this drawing will have attached your drawing AND its' attached XREFS.

NOTE: Be sure that the "0" layer is the current layer when you perform an XREF. Failure to do so could bring unpredictable results.

When a drawing (the Xref) is X-referenced by a Host drawing, the Xref brings with it ANY and ALL X-references that were previously Xref-attached to it. By performing the Xref-overlay option, we eliminate the possibility of a host drawing containing multiple copies of a shared Xref. When you overlay an XREF, the XREF remains "separate" from its' Host drawing and is, essentially, an overlay on the Host drawing.

Something to note: When you XREF a drawing into a current drawing, only elements drawn in Model Space in the XREF drawing will be XREF'd, or "brought" in, to your drawing (the Host drawing).

In summary:

  • Base sheet is XREF overlaid, in Model Space, to Trade-specific base sheet(s).
  • Base sheet is XREF overlaid, in Model Space, to Plottable sheet(s).
  • Trade-specific base sheet is XREF overlaid, in Model Space, to Plottable sheet(s).
  • Border sheet is XREF attached to Plottable sheet(s)

The following diagram illustrates this:

Xref interface diagram

Note: As is seen from both this list and diagram, ALL levels of base sheet are XREF overlaid, in Model Space, with eachother, if desired, and ONLY XREFs inserted into Paper Space are ever, EVER attached!

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