topic Re: Cannot manage x-refs in AutoCAD Forum

Cannot manage x-refs

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:11:32 GMT

Hi,

I am working in a file with 4 or 5 x-refs. Until a few days ago, I could manage the x-refs easily. Now, I am getting this error when trying to load manager:

c:\program files\autodesk\autocad 2015\acxrefesw.arx cannot find a procedure that it needs.
Unknown command "EXTERNALREFERENCES". Press F1 for help.

Has anyone encountered this?

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

rkmcswain — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:25:32 GMT

Make sure that DEMANDLOAD = 3.

If so, then you may have to run a repair or reinstall? There are a lot of other threads here in the forums on this topic. None with a clear cut solution.

Also, as a workaround, try the CLASSICXREF command.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 01:56:18 GMT

CLASSIC XREF
CLASSIC LAYER
CLASSIC*!

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:43:52 GMT

Even if it gets the OP what he wants, classic is not a solution. It's a work around at best.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:02:39 GMT

I confess they might have improved the 'modeless' layers/xrefs since I last had to endure them, but it was a 'classic' case of fixing one problem to create others. I filed a lot of these features as 'bling' a long time ago and have found no compelling reasons to think differently.

Guess how Dynamic Layer Updates fared when I had to manage hundreds if not thousands of Xref layer names? It was a dog and not worth trusting then, and not much use now or then.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:19:06 GMT

Confess? Might? Come on, it's verifiable that they have improved.

Improvements are apt to buggy at first. Refusing to revisit them after the bugs have been shaken out is a classic case of resistance to change.

Again, it's a workaround at best and will, if not already, become obsolete.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

rkmcswain — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:51:40 GMT

Hey @Anonymous - did you get this solved? We'd like to know how.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 12:03:58 GMT

Being extremely productive and very busy means I don't really get the time to discover the latest greatest new way of doing what AutoCAD already does and has done for years.

So I wouldn't know if they've improved it or not, because I haven't revisited it since I turned it off the first time. IMO, all I've missed is yet another opportunity to use more clicks for less function in an interface that (paradoxically) is simplified, and yet somehow cluttered. Mind you, on occasion I still use xref & layer from the command line because it is quicker.

My maybe-not-so-typical workflow: I work with Acad MEP which has a habit of creating hundreds of layers per construct. In a 'fully coordinated' sheet (one floor of all duct, pipe, cable tray, Arch & Structural @ 1:50), 15 3D 'Constructs' xrefs load into one View, which then Xrefs to a Sheet along with notes, legends, etc. Add all the Layer Overrides which mean a completely different set of layer states in Constructs, Views, and Sheets. Add Hidden Line removal/ & Line breaks. Regen/Reloading these highly complex documents is no small matter. My biggest MEP projects contains 5 buildings and cover 400-500 sheets which somehow I single-handedly produce from Construction to Record drawings without needing yet more poorly produced 'improvements'. I resent being a guinea pig for A'desks R&D department in their continuous, desperate attempts to justify their own existence by constantly looking for wheels to re-invent.

Autocad doesn't need new bells & whistles, it needs better ways of informing users where the power is. Some of the questions on this forum illuminate a staggering absence of knowledge of what I'd consider to be fundamental.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 12:16:55 GMT

No matter the workflow, people are doing themselves a disservice by not using or even being aware of improvements, new tools, and features. Being busy and not having time to learn is bunk.

What if your doctor was still using leeches and snake oil?

Turning the new stuff off and never looking back does not promote efficiency. In fact, it does the opposite. I used to do the same thing. Then, once I started revisiting, I realized how much I was limiting myself. Now, I am always exploring new features and how to use them properly.

Blaming AutoDesk is a diversion from the real problem. People want the easy button, don't take the time to learn best practices, and often refuse to listen to alternative solutions to the way they think things should work.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 13:45:49 GMT

I use plenty of new stuff all the time, if it's useful.

'Non-classic' LAYER,& XREF, dialogues suck, both System Resources and figuratively. They are a solution looking for a problem. There are many examples of this.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 13:53:55 GMT

@CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services wrote:
'Non-classic' LAYER,& XREF, dialogues suck, both System Resources and figuratively. They are a solution looking for a problem. There are many examples of this.

That's a great example of backwards thinking. Maybe you don't care for them but most of us have used them for years and love their functionality compared to the classic versions.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 14:44:39 GMT

Which extra functionality is that exactly?

Like I said before: In my opinion it takes more interactions, adds to desktop clutter, splits your focus and drains system resources. For what?

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 14:51:01 GMT

@CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services wrote:
Which extra functionality is that exactly?

If you are asking, then you haven't bothered to find out for yourself. Thanks for verifying one of my points. If you had, you would know that there are many references to new features and improvements to existing ones with every release.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:20:23 GMT

Layer: Aside from being modeless so it just floats around getting in the way I fail to see any difference.It does seem to handle a few thousand layers better than it used to. That said, when I'm Alt-tabbing through a dozen or so open files it's one more thing that needs to update.

Xref: Same information but more spread out, less intuitive and needs more clicks. Also consolidates Image manager, which means it's marginally more efficient. Well done. Attach/Overlay still retains double-click funtionality but is more opaque in it's working, Most Xref functions available in-drawing with a right-click means that the Xref manager is unlikely to be needed for most people, most of the time. It's unlikely to be a high-use dialogue for anyone's workflow. Again it's a solution looking for a problem. It's also less fault-tolerant than the Classic. If you mis-click, you have to wait for the unintended result before undoing.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:30:11 GMT

Glad to see you are making progress. Keep it up. I'm not going to argue with you about the particulars. I was originally disagreeing with your general response that classic commands are solutions.

BTW, repeating an opinion does not make it any more relevant.

@CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services wrote:

Again it's a solution looking for a problem.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 16:01:08 GMT

You have nothing to say because there is nothing to add.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 16:53:55 GMT

I said I wasn't going to argue. There is plenty that you are missing.

Re: Cannot manage x-refs

CADmonkey_UK_Building_Services — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 17:17:01 GMT

uh-huh..