Xref files not found

[Anonymous]

 Hey everyone,

I have been working on some files recently sent by another company. They sent them in a zip files via drop box. Once I downloaded them and extracted the files, none of the xrefs could be attachted to the drawings, although they could be opened individually. We have tried turning layers on, attaching it again using various methods, changing the saved path, but nothing seems to work. If anyone has any idea that might help please let me know. 

[mpa-la]

What is the error given when you try to attach them?

[imadHabash]

Hi and Welcome to AutoDesk Forum,

>> none of the xrefs could be attachted to the drawings << 

is there any message appeared while you attached them? also what happened if you make ZOOM extents to your CAD file?

[murray-clack]

Chances are the person who supplied the ZIP file of drawings probably used the eTransmit command which has the option of "stripping" the folder path from the drawings.

Within the XREF palette or dialog box, there should be an error saying "can't find xref", and all you have to do is repath it.

[RobDraw]

Another option is to put the XREF files in the same folder as the referencing drawing. AutoCAD will automagically find them for you.

[Anonymous]

AutoCAD goes thru the below process to find xrefs:

• Saved XREF Path
• Support Directories
• Same folder as parent DWG

Best practice, be sure to extract all files into the same directory.

This way, AutoCAD will always find all of the xrefs.

[RobDraw]

---

@jclaidler wrote:

Best practice, be sure to extract all files into the same directory.

This way, AutoCAD will always find all of the xrefs.

---

I'm sorry but that is not always possible when getting files from outside sources that might have a totally different file structure. Even a slight difference will prevent AutoCAD from finding them.

Best practice would be to set them up according to your own company standards and re-path, or put them all in the same folder.

[Anonymous]

If you are using AutoCAD to package the drawings you can use ETRANSMIT, Vault has the PACK AND GO option.

Both have options to put all files into the same folder, to make opening up easier.

ETRANSMIT option shown below:

[Anonymous]

Still not a "best" practice.  Might work for you, but we have from 20 to 10,000 drawing files per discipline using using as many as 40 3D model XREFs from four different disciplines.  Placing ALL that in a single directory would be a nightmare.  Each discipline has a directory structure that includes specific separate directories for drawings and models that is maintained throughout the project.  At custody transfer we bundle those directories to match the client's target directory structure to ensure smooth transition to their system.  Incoming models/files, of which there may be thousands, are scanned and sorted through our directory structure upon receipt and an xref's are re-pathed at that time. 

To the OP, I think we need more information;

what files are not being XREF'd??

where are those files located??

where were they SUPPOSED to be located??

what version of AutoCAD was used to create the files & what version are you using??

were they transmitted with the drawing files or are they already on your system??

A missing XREF can have several causes; mislocated, corrupt, wrong version, different filename, and more.

[Anonymous]

I think you're getting confused, i'm NOT stating put all files in the same directory.

This is only recommended when PACKAGING with eTransmit or Pack and Go.

[pendean]

If you have 20-10k files, you probably need to be using A360 Team (not the free drive option) to collaborate and share files with teams outside of your physical location.

Otherwise @Anonymous was simply talking about how to configure ETRANSMIT for use, not how to re-arrange your project files.

[ITandCADguy]

Have you tried using the Reference Manager to diagnose/fix the problem?

http://www.thesourcecad.com/reference-manager-the-most-underutilized-tool-in-autocad/

[Anonymous]

I guess I am confused, didn't you write?

---

@jclaidler wrote:

"Best practice, be sure to extract all files into the same directory.

This way, AutoCAD will always find all of the xrefs."

---

[Anonymous]

Yes if you are extracting AutoCAD DWG's from a ZIP file, extract them into the same folder.

That way they will automatically resolve.  If you want to reorganize them into folders, then you will have to manually update the 'saved paths' within AutoCAD for the xref's.

[Anonymous]

So BEFORE we trot out phrases like "best practices" and "always", maybe we should find out more about the OP's real issue.

[Anonymous]

That was done, see HIGHLIGHTED post below from OP.  

[Anonymous]

Oh? Which part of that post tells you how the zip file was created or extracted, or where he placed files or how the xref's were originally attached or if the xref's were even included in the transfer??  What makes you think he didn't place them all in the same directory per your "best practices"??

[Anonymous]

Wow, grumpy much?

I read the actual post, and based on HISTORY these are the best practices when unzipping files from ANOTHER user that has a different folder structure.  If you extract all files into the same folder, ideally using ETRANSMIT or PACK AND GO, then all xrefs will be resolved automatically.

[Anonymous]

Not grumpy at all, and and as for "history" with the application, I have a bit.

YOUR "best" practice MIGHT be best for YOU, but it is FAR from a best practice for many.  Yes it will let the XREF's (IF they were included with the transfer using eTransmit or PnG) appear in the drawing in that directory.  But who leaves those files in one directory, anyone?? and the XREF path will STILL need to be adjusted for any modification to the file locations.  At best for many, your "best" practice is merely an unproductive stop-gap on the way to something else.

... and we still don't know the OP's real problem with the files.

[RobDraw]

When it comes to AutoCAD, there is no "best practice" for most things. There are so many workflows that one way cannot cover all bases. I personally have issue with most generalities as there is ALWAYS an exception. XREFing thousands of files is definitely one of those exceptions.

I actually misread @Anonymous's post as saying the best practice was to mimic the originating directory but I agree with him in that when dealing with files from outside sources, it is probably the easiest way to ensure AutoCAD finds all of the files. What your needs are for those files will determine how you handle them internally.

This thread went way off track.

What we are missing here is that the OP's problem appears to not be a pathing problem as some of us (including me) misinterpreted it to be. They did say that "none of the xrefs could be attachted to the drawings" and went on to say "attaching it again using various methods, changing the saved path, but nothing seems to work."

What we need from the OP is any messages that AutoCAD was throwing while attaching the XREFs was failing.