Manage Xref drawings for EXISTING DEMO, RCP, PROPOSED

[Code_x]

Hi, can anyone please share what is the best practice and strategy to create working drawings for architectural set in Autocad?

It will be an existing building that needs to be renovated, so it will have an existing, demo, proposed, electrical plans and maybe some more alternative options. In a practical approach do I first create my exist+demo conditions in one file and then Xref that into a new file and there start creating proposed on top of it?  or should I separate the existing condition from demo drawing? So the main question here,  how do I structure and organize these xrefs into each other,  so it doesn't cause any problems later in the project so that my walls and other elements stay coordinated. 

[pendean]

Are you using plain AutoCAD, or AutoCADARCHITECTURE?

[Code_x]

Preferably Plain Autocad.   

[RobDraw]

There are too many variables for there to be a single best practice. This could be done in a single file or as you described or anything in between and be called a best practice or standard for your company/workflow.

[pendean]

Separate layers if you are the "all things on one file" office,
or separate files that are xrefed if you are the "many users on the same project" type office, something like this simplistic sample
- Existing unaffected by anything background file, this is xrefed into all of the following separate DWG files:
- Demo
- Proposed
- RCP
etc.

[Code_x]

 If I have existing plan as a separate file and i xref that file in a demo file, how am I gonna demolish my walls? Does that mean I have to go back to existing demolish the walls save and then reload that file in a demo plan?  can you please describe the process. Thank you.

[michaelQ4K53]

Did you end up finding a solution to this? I am dumbfounded why I can't find "how to demo an Xref" or any sort of workflow describing this.

[pendean]

@michaelQ4K53 What does "how to demo an Xref" mean to everyone else exactly?

[michaelQ4K53]

How do you create demo plans from an Xref since I am commenting on this thread and replied to what he is asking  "If I have existing plan as a separate file and i xref that file in a demo file, how am I gonna demolish my walls? Does that mean I have to go back to existing demolish the walls save and then reload that file in a demo plan?  can you please describe the process. Thank you." 

[pendean]

@michaelQ4K53 There is no magical one-button "create a demo plan" in AutoCAD. You or your intern or your colleague or your contract Architect has to edit/change/fix a DWG file to create whatever it is you need to show, that includes but not limited to DEMO, NEW CONSTRUCTION, RCPs, POWER and so much more.

XREF command simply adds a separate DWG file to another DWG file: it does not create/edit content in that file.

Is that all you are seeking to know?

[michaelQ4K53]

I understand how AutoCAD works - please reread my message before you reply as a response like that is a complete waste of both our time.

I am looking for the PROCESS for creating a DEMO PLAN out of an XREF which is the comment I originally replied to AND included in my previous response:  "If I have existing plan as a separate file and i xref that file in a demo file, how am I gonna demolish my walls? Does that mean I have to go back to existing demolish the walls save and then reload that file in a demo plan?  can you please describe the process. Thank you." 

[pendean]

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@michaelQ4K53 wrote:

I am looking for the PROCESS for creating a DEMO PLAN out of an XREF

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You "...have to go back to existing demolish the walls save and then reload that file in a demo plan"

[pendean]

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@michaelQ4K53 wrote:

Did you end up finding a solution to this?

---

1.  There is no magical one-button "create a demo plan" in AutoCAD.
2. Open the DWG file, create a DEMO layer, set it for color and linetype (dashed) that you want/need.
3. Move the "demo" content to that layer, ensure all objects are set to "BYLAYER".
4. QSAVE
5. Now you have a demo plan to XREF into any other DWG file you want.

[michaelQ4K53]

Your step 1 to the entire solution is to repeat something no one has mentioned in the entire thread? How you're the main person responding and these are the types of responses you're giving is beyond me. No one is asking for "one magical solution" I'm not sure why you're so fixated on this but this comment went unanswered for 2 years and your first response is to say "you have to draw it". My advice for you is to actually read the question first then reply - there is no one magical button that will do that for you, you actually have to read it and understand the question - if you don't, just don't reply.

[RSomppi]

You're getting upset for no reason. His responses are spot on. Your question actually shows a lack  of understanding of how XREFs work. Maybe putting aside your knee jerk reactions and actually reading what he is saying and not how he appears to be saying it would be beneficial for you.

[michaelQ4K53]

It seems your the one with a knee jerk reaction that's so upset you're now commenting on this. I'm just pointing out that giving a response such as "there is no magical button" is extremely unhelpful, and then to continue repeating it when I had to retype the original comment 3 times before I actually got the answer, is extremely condescending. 

That's correct, since I mainly work in Revit I didn't know something which is why I am on the forum to begin with?? This isn't just a place for the elite to ponder the deepest most difficult questions of CAD. Sounds like a bunch of gatekeepers that don't want to help people - if you don't want to help just don't, no one is forcing you to reply. 

[RSomppi]

Sorry to have wasted your time but this is an open forum and yes, I am a jerk.

You really to need to stop reading between the lines. Your making inaccurate assumptions that have nothing to do with the issue at hand. Stop that and you might learn something. The answers are there and your responses are just muddying up the waters.

Good luck!

[pendean]

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@michaelQ4K53 wrote:

mainly work in Revit

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XREF in all AutoCAD variants is explained here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AbuLGGc18I and here https://all3dp.com/2/xref-autocad-tutorial/#:~:text=In%20AutoCAD%2C%20xref%20is%20a,cloud%20data%2C%....

In plain AutoCAD (the forum you are posting in) you have to edit the content of the file to create a "demolition" plan. The most common method is

1. Open the DWG file, create a DEMO layer, set it for color and linetype (dashed) that you want/need.
2. Move the "demo" content to that layer, ensure all objects are set to "BYLAYER".
3. QSAVE
4. Now you have a demo plan.

If you still need additional guidance I suggest you stop using plain AutoCAD and install/use AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE instead then study more to do it like this https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-architecture/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2...

HTH

[michaelQ4K53]

No one is calling you a jerk and no one is reading between the lines besides you - The answer is there AFTER I asked the same exact copy and paste 3 separate times, the same question that went 2 years without being answered.

As large contributors to the forum I would expect you to have some class but maybe that's where we differ. Your comments on this thread are the only thing muddying it up as you have legitimately contributed nothing to this conversation. 

[RSomppi]

I am a jerk and, not only are you expecting too much, you are too sensitive.