Xref settings for shareing files with other trades

[Berrys_Cooling_Drafter]

Hi all,

I am a HVAC drafter I am currently working on a project with other drafters from other trades. we are going to be sharing files, to overlay with each other for coordination.

can anybody help me with the correct way to set up my xrefs

1. so we all get it the same location?

2.  what path do I use Relative path,Full path,or no path?

3.what reference type attachment or overlay?

4.scale?

5.insertion point?

thanks in advance for your time and effort to help me get this right.

[Bud_Schroeder_ADESK]

Thanks for posting your question to the forums.  Just a little to help you get started, and I'm sure others will jump in with other ideas as well.   Take a look at the Autodesk Knowlede Network article about attching reference files.  

About Attaching and Detaching Referenced Drawings(Xref): 

Be sure to check the links at the bottom of the article as well, there are other Knowledge Network articles that will be very helpful here.   

Autodesk University is also a great place to find papers and even videos from classes that were posted here in the past.  Just search for key words like best practice xref, something like that.   

Autodesk University:

Hope this helps you get started and I'm sure others will jump in with other ideas for you as well.  

Have a great day. 

[Berrys_Cooling_Drafter]

thanks for your help can you just give me some help quickly I am short on time to start reading and going into the whole xref stuff

[KarenMason]

Hi Simcha,

Some quick answers:

1. so we all get it the same location?  Not sure what you mean, but the insertion point is the thing that keeps them all aligned.

2.  what path do I use Relative path,Full path,or no path?  I prefer RELATIVE (As of AutoCAD 2018, the default path type is Relative, and we made it easier for the setting to stay on Relative).  There are some that choose Full path, but when you are sharing drawings with other people, they will need to have the exact same path structure that you have in the office.  Or you put all the reference files in the same folder as the Host drawing.

3.what reference type attachment or overlay?  That question is a little more complex.  It depends on who's working on the files and who needs to see the nested references.  I always used ATTACH.  

About Nesting and Overlaying Referenced Drawings

4.scale?  1

5.insertion point?  0,0

Hope that helps.

Karen

[Bud_Schroeder_ADESK]

Thanks Karen for jumping in.  

Here are some getting started with xref's videos you can check out.  Note that I have not watched any of these, but they may be a great place to get started.  

Getting started with AutoCAD XREF's Videos:

Hopefully this helps get you started and also be sure to check out eTransmit if you are sharing drawings outside of the office.   You can create custom eTransmit settings to set the default plotter to none and make sure the reference files are also included.   

[sophia_lee]

Hi @Berrys_Cooling_Drafter, 

Thanks again for the posting. 

I hope above solutions are all very helpful, kindly "Accept Solution" for those answers if they have helped to answer your question. It will help others in the community as well.

In addition to above explanation, i would suggest to use 'E-Trasmit' option to package a set of files for internet transmission. This enables you to share the dwg file with all related dependent files such as xrefs and font files(CTB),etc. 

If you would like to move around the xref file with the base dwg file, it's good to keep the path as 'Relative path' and save the xref in the same folder and share. 

Thanks! 

[vinodkl]

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@Berrys_Cooling_Drafter wrote:

can anybody help me with the correct way to set up my xrefs

1. so we all get it the same location?

Use insertion point (0,0,0) to avoid confusion.

2.  what path do I use Relative path,Full path,or no path?

Use Relative Path which is more flexible.

3.what reference type attachment or overlay?

Check this for clear insight : Click here 

4.scale?

Don't scale the xref, keep it default (X:1, Y:1, Z:1)

5.insertion point?

Use (0,0,0)

thanks in advance for your time and effort to help me get this right.

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