XRef

Works with Bricscad (Windows) Classic and Pro, Bricscad (Linux) Classic

Attaches DWG files to the current drawing through the Drawing Explorer (short for "external reference").

Accessing the Command

command bar:  xref

alias:  xr, xa, xattach, expxrefs

menu bar:  Settings | XRefs

 

: xref

Displays Drawing Explorer:

Attach a DWG file, or change the properties of existing xrefs, and then click X.

Press F1 to access help.

Command Options

Option

Description

Reference Name

Specifies the name of the xref. This name is assigned by Bricscad, but can be changed by the user.

Click to rename.

Loaded

Toggles the loading of the xref:

  • On - loads the xref, and makes it visible.

  • Off - unloads the xref, making it invisible.

Click to change the load status.

Size

Reports the size of the xref DWG files. Very large files can slow down the system.

References

Reports the number of times the xref is attached to the drawing.

Type

Reports whether the xref is attached or overlaid:

  • Attach - all xrefs are displayed.

  • Overlay - only the first xref of nested xrefs is displayed.

To change type, you must unload the xref and then reload it as attached or overlaid.

Date

Reports the date of the file. This can be useful in determining if you ware working with the most recent revision.

Saved Path

Reports the original path to the xref's DWG file when first loaded.

If the path cannot be found, click this field, and then click the button. Bricscad displays the Choose a File dialog box"

  1. Locate the missing DWG file.

  2. Click Open.

Found Path

Reports the current path to the xref's DWG file. This path should match the Saved Path in most cases.

 

Attach Xref

Attaches DWG files as xrefs; prompts you in the command bar:

External References:  ? to list/Bind/Insert/Detach/Path/Reload/Unload/Overlay/<Attach> - enter an option.

See -XRef command.

Detach Xref

Erases the selected xref from the drawing without warning. This is equivalent to using the Detach option.

Reload Xref

Reloads the selected xref. This is useful when the original DWG file has changed, and you want to see the updated version in your drawing.

Unload Xref

Unloads the selected xref. This hides the xref from view.

You can also click the checkboxes in the Loaded column.

Bind Xref

Binds the xref to the current drawing;

Binds the xref; makes the xref part of the drawing. References to the xref disappear from the Drawing Explorer.

This option is not available when xrefs are unloaded.

This option sets the BINDTYPE settings variable OFF (Traditional binding behavior), thus influencing the behavior of the Bind option of the -xref command.

Insert Xref

Converts xrefs into blocks;

This is like using the Insert command to insert external DWG files in drawings. References to the xref disappear from the Drawing Explorer.

This option is not available when xrefs are unloaded.

Detail View

Displays the details of xrefs:

Icon View

Displays icons of the xrefs:

Tree View

Displays the relationship between xrefs in a tree-like view:

Current - current drawing.

Column and Floor - xrefs attached to the current drawing.

 

Overlay and Attach operate the same way. The difference is in how they treat xrefs that have xrefs themselves"

Grips Editing

External references can be edited directly through grips:

  1. Select the xref. Notice that it has one grip at its insertion point.

  2. Drag the grip to move the xref.

Related Commands

-XRef- attaches and controls externally referenced drawings through the command bar.

XAttach - attaches xrefs through dialog boxes.

XClip - clips externally-referenced drawings.

VpClip - clips viewports.

Insert - inserts drawings as blocks.

Bricscad™ is commercialized by Bricsys NV. Bricsys NV and Vondle NV are fully owned subsidiaries of Menhirs NV. Copyright © 2001- Menhirs NV - All rights reserved.