Migrated to Google File Stream - Is there a way to change the paths of all XREF?

[Anonymous]

Hi, we are trying to migrate our server from a local one to Google cloude Drive Stream. We've copied over all the files and folders keeping their structure as it was on the server previously. When testing it out it seemed to update some of the links automatically. However now in practice with multiple people using the service out of the office. It seems we are still having to re-link Xref paths. I've tried the Server Path Mapping (AutoCAD LT 2019) chagned the Windows server path as the Phisical server and the Address on Mac as the Google server but this does not seem to do it? 

Any advice on a way to do this within AutoCAD. Will have hundreds if not thousands of drawings that will need updating of links. Andtherefore some way to do this as a batch process would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

Tom 

[pendean]

AFAIK GoogleDrive (and other cloud services) are not really well implemented in AUtoCAD yet, almost everyone has issues with xrefs.

But... do you all use full paths, relative paths, or no-paths for your xrefs?

[Anonymous]

This is our issue.. Our files are absalute reference and i guess need to be relative so that they would pick up the Google File path instead. Having a look at the Reference Manager on a PC. And while i can manually change a group of drawings when they are within one folder i can't do this for all drawings in one go. And the paths still remain absalute but now within the google drive. The problem is i have 20 odd projects each with plans/elevations/detail drawings that have all lost their links now that their on google drive. 

Is there a way on the Reference Manger to change all Drawings to Relative paths? 

Or is there a script that i can run in a PC Full CAD that would achive the same absalute to relative path ?

Thanks again 

Tom

[pendean]

Not sure you can easily in MacOS that I can see from HELP.

In WindowsOS at the commandline you can do the following (you can turn it into a macro)
-XREF
PATHTYPE
*
RELATIVE

Or you can replace RELATIVE with NONE: the * above it tells AutoCAD to select all XREFs in the file.

[Anonymous]

Hi Pendean, 

Thanks very much for your help, very much appreciated. 

The command you gave appears to work. It converts multiple Xref's in one file from the full path to Relative ones. - saves lots of time doing this manually - Thanks. 

1) The way I've tested is opening original files on local server Using PC full CAD. Then run the commands you've given in your last post. 

2) Rename the original file with the suffix - nonrelative and copy both files the relative and nonrelative to the new server path location. 

3) when opening both files the nonrelative has missing links. While the relative link files open the files locally. 

Encountered issue. that I've also encountered in the past but not sure how to resolve.. our folder structure is normally always in capital letters. For some reason, part of the path e.g. one of the folders occasionally changes to lower case. I don't believe anyone would be changing this manually. Is it possible the CAD software does this? 

- The file in the relative path where the folder's case has changed is showing as missing. The odd thing is that when opening the folder in the browser it appears as capital letters, but within CAD's path it appears as lowercase? 

Another issue.   You mentioned this command can be run as a Macro. Please can you advise how I can run this for multiple drawings? Would I need to assign that as a mini lisp/command file assigned to a key or term then open each of the files and run the command? or is there a easier/quicker/ more efficient way to run this across our entire server or across entire project related folders e.g. all elevations etc.. 

Our folder structure is 

Drawings 

    - Models 

    - Plans (references Models)

    - Elevations (References models)

etc.. 

Thanks again 

Tom 

[pendean]

Macro for a button:
^C^C-XREF;PATHTYPE;*;RELATIVE;
For LISP: http://www.lee-mac.com/xrefpathconversion.html

To fix a whole folder, in Windows Autodesk offers this https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Change-p...
On a MAC they do not, you'll have to try something like this (not tested by me) http://www.lee-mac.com/scriptwriter.html

[Anonymous]

Hi Pendean, 

Thanks again. For Lee's Script do I need to replace any of the paths? where it's noted with "\ \" ? not really sure how to use the script?

Or is it just a matter of copying to text editor save as name.lisp and loading it in cad. then define "name" 

then using your command macro? ^C^C-XREF;PATHTYPE;*;RELATIVE; 

Thanks 

Tom 

[maxim_k]

Hi Tom,

XRef Path Conversion utility from Lee's site is not a script or macro, it is AutoLISP function which you can use inside your own custom AutoLISP routine. So you cannot use it as macro or as self-sufficient AutoLISP routine.

Instead you can use macro (script), provided by Dean.

Use CUI command to create new custom command with that macro:

Then you can add this new command to Tool Sets palette:

and use this button in your drawings for conversion.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the explanation Maxim, 

I' thought I was missing something.  Makes sense now 🙂 

I've added the shortcut now in my toolbar. and using it together with PenDean's command works perfectly. - thank you both. 

Can we take this one step further? As i need to apply this command to a few hundred if not thousands of drawings across several project folders.

Is it possible to run something like this?

“Select File and change path to Relative” - Command S2R

A) - Sequentially open one file at a time - to run through a list of files or even better all .dwg’s within a defined folder.

1) Define Path for AutoCAD to open a file

B) - Run Command

1) Run ^C^C-XREF;PATHTYPE;*;RELATIVE;  -  “Change Xref to Relative” Command as provided by PenDean.

2) QSave - Save and close file.

C- Then Loop back and open next file defined in List (A)

Thanks Again 

Tom

[maxim_k]

>>>>Is it possible to run something like this?
I'm afraid, this is not possible on Mac.
But there are some tools for such task on Windows side.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Maxim. 

I've got access to a Windows PC with Full CAD 2020.

I realize the forum post is in the Mac-Forums.

Could you advise further on how this could be achieved? 

Thanks 

Tom

[maxim_k]

ScriptPro:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/downloads/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-customizati...
ScriptPro takes AutoCAD scripting to a new level with an easy-to-use interface, logging, reusable project files, enhanced scripting with new keywords and utilities, and robust error recovery. Using ScriptPro, you can apply a set of commands to multiple drawings by simply specifying a script file and the list of drawings that you would like to apply the script to.

Or JTB SmartBatch:
https://apps.autodesk.com/en/Detail/Index?id=7854074388648737587&appLang=en&os=Win32_64&_ga=2.103745...