Xrefs

[defiore.paul]

hello, testing working remotely from my server today.  I copied all my project files from my server drive to my 'c' drive on my computer since I can't access my network remote.  I noticed some of my xref paths are recognized in drawings, while others are showing errors since the path is looking to my server location.  What is the best way to attach xrefs?  Should I be using "Full Path" or "Relative Path" for the path type?  I believe the default is "Full Path" which is what I use typically.  If "Relative Path" is the answer, are there disadvantages to using "Relative Path", what's the difference between the options?  thanks

[chriscowgill7373 · Accepted solution]

Since AutoCAD 2018, the default should be set to relative path.  The best method, in my opinion is to utilize Relative paths, then as long as the files are moved together, they should always be able to be loaded.  If you use full path, and dont have access to that original path, you wont be able to load it, even if the xref was copied to your local machine.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/AutoC...

[defiore.paul]

makes sense, we are using C3D 2015.  Is there any negatives to using Relative Paths?

[chriscowgill7373]

I believe due to our company processes, we havent experienced any, however, depending on how things are done, I could see at least one potential downside.

If you copy an individual drawing from one location to another folder, the relative path wont find the xref, unless you copy the drawings together.

Relative pathing doesnt work from one drive to another, you cant store the xref in the X drive, and relative path it to a drawing on the D drive.

[defiore.paul]

good to know.  can you relative path from different folders on the same drive?

[cadffm]

All folders, sure.

[RobDraw]

Before relative pathing was a standard, a trick that I used so that I would not have to mess with pathing at all is to put all the XREF'd files in the same folder as the referencing file. AutoCAD still finds these automagically and retains the saved path so that, when the files are checked back in, the pathing doesn't need to be changed back.