AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

What is the best way (quickest) to repath Xrefs after changing servers? Other ways than using the manager?

[#2]

i'm assuming you're referring to the reference manager.  not sure there is a better way (this is why i try to get all my users to keep referenced files in the same dir as their host file.  this is also like herding cats)

anyway - here's a plea to autodesk to beef up the functionality of the reference manager.  it's somewhat useful, but i'd love to be able to replace entire files (along with more control over the ref type) and the file names from within the manager.

good luck.

[#3]

Using the stand alone program "Reference Manager" is the easiest and best way I know of to repath the xrefs.  Please note that this is not the same reference manager inside of autocad, this is a standalone program that should have been installed alongside autocad.  It will allow you to repath multiple files (xrefs, images, fonts, etc) in multiple drawings and save your changes back.

Check out http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2009/06/autocad-reference-manager-refman.html

Hope that helps.  Holler back if it doesn't =)

John

[#4]

the fastest is to copy your xref-ed file in the same folder your drawings are.

[#5]

ahh, good clarification JW.  In case you're not aware, you can find the stand alone utility "Reference Manager" in Start > All Programs > Autodesk > [your ACAD version].  this is what i was referring to in my diatribe above.

this, as opposed to the XREF command in AutoCAD which brings up the "External References" dialog (or more irritatingly, the palette

[#6]

ohhhh....I did not realize there was a standalone manager. I will install it thanks guys

[#7]

Yeah, I once suggested to an older CADD gentleman to use the reference manager to repath all his XREFs for a job.  He was upset at me for about a week until someone else explained that I didn't mean the reference palette but the actual reference manager stand alone program.  Oops!

[#8]

as you repath, think about ensur43eing that all ther reference files are set with Relative pathings -- ensures that you'll never have to think about it again

[#9]

Note, 

If you change the directory in the middle of the path for a drawing, Reference Manager has a shortcomming that you can't find/replace to update such a change  

I'm just mentioning it to follow up / put in $.02 regarding the earlier posting requesting a beefing up of the capability.

I have a map/drawing with some 1900 referenced image tiles and talk about a PIA!

Cheers Alll

TdH

[#10]

you could potentially overcome this by using the old DOS .. function to "go up one level" in the dir tree.  

drag your files into Refernce Manager, then hit your Edit Path button, and just keep adding ..\..\..\ until you get high enough for it to find your file name.  (if you changed the file name, you're kinda screwed, but there's a potential fix for that too)  so i think the syntax is that you don't need to start or end the string with a backslash, just use the backslash between pairs of dots.

and TdH, if you need to bulk rename files and/or folder, this guys utility can't be beat:

http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Download.php