Replace xref for entire set

[andrew.robinson4HZXU]

Got handed a real problem by my boss. Got whole set of plans with our base file xref'd in. Well, for some reason they won't tell me they want to change the name of the base file. So, now when I open a drawing in the set I get an error message telling me it can't find the base file, which means I have to re-associate the base to every drawing in the set!

Anyone know if there's a quick and easy way to do this? Can I go into the sheetset or some other blanket command for the whole set and just tell the system to replace the missing drawing with the new one?

[murray-clack]

I might be wrong on this, but would the REFERENCE MANAGER be helpful?

[andrew.robinson4HZXU]

If you mean the pop up you get when you type "XREF" and get the External References, that'll help with one drawing. I'm talking about changing the path for one xref for an entire set of drawings. My boss has changed the name of the base file to "Base-(today's date)". Don't ask me why, no clue, but because of the name change, when I open any drawing in the sheetset I get the old "Not Found" error message for the base, and so I have to update the Saved path for every drawing. I'm just wondering if there's a way to do it for all the drawings in the set at once. I don't see anything in the External References dialogue box that can do that. I can update it for the drawing I'm currently in, which is great, but I need it done for every drawing in the set, and that's 50 pages!

[Todd_Rogers]

The Reference Manager is an external program that is installed with Civil 3D.

[andrew.robinson4HZXU]

Okay, I appreciate the input. How do I access the Reference Manager?

[samir.rezk]

Hi @andrew.robinson4HZXU 

Like @murray-clack and @Todd_Rogers mentioned; the easiest way is to close all the drawings and open the Reference Manager from the AutoCAD folder in the start menu. then add the drawings and do a find and replace to update the saved path of the Xrefs. 

Here is some documentation that can help:

Have You Tried: Manage References Outside AutoCAD | AutoCAD 2021 | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Hope this helps,

[Todd_Rogers]

Type Reference Manager into your Windows Cortana.

[andrew.robinson4HZXU]

Ah, now I see! Okay, if that works, it might do it. Unfortunately, while I managed to find the command, every time I try to load a drawing into it the manager crashes! So, while I appreciate the help, it looks like I'm still screwed. When it crashes, it asks if I want to send AutoDesk an error report, but there's no point in doing that. We don't have a contract with them, so they're not going to be getting back to me anytime soon with a solution to my problem.

Guess I'm boned!

Oh well, thanks, people, for trying. Looks like I'm doing this the hard way.

[Todd_Rogers]

Here is a solution...hopefully...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Civil...

[andrew.robinson4HZXU]

I truly appreciate the effort. I tried step 1 - no luck. I can't do 2 as I don't have Administrator authority, and I can't try 3 as the drawings have to stay as Civil 3D. Anyway, thanks for trying. I'll contact my company IT people and see if they can help.

[RobertEVs]

Find the xref manager under your start menu. Version of Civil then drop down. Add the dwgs to the manager and path the new file name to all

 

[RobertEVs]

Sorry just saw this was answered and I can't delete my post