XREF - Attach External Reference file dialog does not display

[dex.deanNL9DM]

The External References palette appears when I run the XREF command. I select the Attach Drawing button and select a .dwg file from the file dialog. The command line shows that Civil 3D ran _XATTACH. Then nothing happens.

The Attach External Reference file dialog does not appear. I am able to back out of the command using the Esc key. 

The .dwg files I am working with are stored on my hard disk, but the same issue occurs with all files whether stored locally or on a network. I am currently running Civil 3D version 2020.6.1 on top of AutoCAD 2020.1.4. Thank you for your help!

[user181]

Sounds like maybe the Attach External Reference dialog box is off screen somewhere. Try again to attach an xref and when you expect that dialog box and don't see it hold the SHIFT + WINDOWS KEYS and press the left and right arrow keys to see if it appears on screen. 

[dex.deanNL9DM]

Thank you for the input. The SHIFT+WINDOWS key combo Is not responding while C3D is in the command. SHIFT+ WINDOWS responds if I back out of the command using the Esc key, but the Attach External Reference window (if there was one) is no longer available to select. Thanks again.

[pendean]

@dex.deanNL9DM Try the CUI command method https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Palett...

[rkmcswain]

I don't know about SHIFT+WINDOWS, but this method should work. I just tested it.

Quick Summary.

• When you know the missing window has focus
• Alt+Spacebar
• M
• (Do not touch the mouse at this point)
• Any one of the keyboard arrow keys
• Now move the mouse (but do not click a button) and the dialog will be attached to it

[dex.deanNL9DM · Accepted solution]

SOLUTION - The desktop screen resolution and display scale of the computer were causing the issue (see example error message below).  I found that reducing the display scale for the monitor in the computer's display settings resolved the issue. The XREF file dialog will display now after I changed the display scale and restarting CD3D. I was also having issues with the Layer Properties Manager not displaying the Select Color file dialog. This issue also appears to be resolved by reducing the display scale. 

[rkmcswain]

Interesting @dex.deanNL9DM - this is the Civil 3D forum, but your dialog says AutoCAD LT.

[luke.coxonUB8Z4]

Many thanks for this. 

This one was doing my head in. 

I'd previously done two complete reinstalls of Plant 3d to get the Xref dialogue box to come back, which obviously wastes a lot of time reinstating the settings.

For anyone else with multiple screens....

When changing the display resolution, be sure to change the resolution on all of your screens.

Also, make sure you change it to a lower resolution in the same ratio as your screen, or it doesn't work. 

Eg, my original screen res on one monitor was at 1920 x 1080. So changing it to 1600 x 900 is 1.2x smaller in both the X and Y axis. When I changed it to something that doesn't have the same reduction ratio Eg 1440 x 900 (ratio is 1.3333 in the X and 1.2 in the Y) the dialogue box still doesn't appear after application reboot.