Autocad 2d Module 33 PDF

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules ®

AutoCAD 2D Module 33 Reference Files Learning Outcomes: When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe and apply the XREF and REFEDIT commands.

Reference Files An external reference file is a drawing file linked to the current drawing. It acts as one object similar to a block and appears to be part of the active drawing. Usually called a reference file or a xref , it is quite different from a block. A reference file updates itself whenever whenever the drawing it is linked to is opened. It can also be updated manually manual ly by the CAD operator. If the drawing that is attached as an xref is changed, the changes will appear when the drawing it is attached to is opened or reloaded. Since it is only linked linked to the drawing, it does not add a significant amount to the drawings database. The XREF command is used to manage the reference file(s) that are linked to the current drawing. You can attach more than one reference file at the same time. All objects in the reference file must be in model model space. Reference files can be scaled or rotated when they are attached with the XREF command or after they are attached with the SCALE and/or ROTATE commands. You can snap to the object snap modes of objects in the reference files. A reference file can be edited in the current drawing with the changes going back to the original drawing file. This is done with the REFEDIT command. AutoCAD LT does not have the REFEDIT command.

Xref Dependant Named Objects Xref dependent named objects are the layers, linetypes, dimension styles, blocks and text

styles of the reference reference file. They are added to the drawing drawing they are attached to as nongraphical object information. information. The names are changed so that no two names are the same. Table 33-1 shows how the non-graphical names are dealt with by AutoCAD. This table demonstrates how AutoCAD names the xref dependent named objects for layers, linetypes, dimension styles, blocks, and text styles. In this table, the name of the attached xref file drawing is House Plan and a layer in that drawing is First Floor and a block named Coffee Table. For a reference file, the the name of the non-graphical object object is changed to the name drawing name|object. If it is is bound to the drawing, it is renamed name$n$objectname. name$n$objec tname. The n starts with zero and increases by one if the same name is encountered. Binding a Reference File

A reference file can be bound to the drawing itit is attached to with with the XREF command. command. When a reference drawing is bound to the drawing, the XREF command converts itit into a block. The xref dependent named objects are renamed according to Table 33-1. You can explode the block to convert the objects into single objects and they become part of the drawing. Reference Files

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Module 33

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AutoCAD Se Self- pa paced Le Learni ng ng Mo Modules - AutoCAD 2D 2D - Re Revised 20 2007-04-14

When you bind a reference file, you have the option of either binding binding it or inserting inserting it. Inserting Inserting a reference file converts it into a block but it strips the named non-graphical objects back to their original original names. names. See Table 33-1. Xref Dependent Named Objects When the Xref is:

A Reference file

Bound

Inserted

Name of the layer

House Plan|First Floor

House Plan$0$First Plan$0$ First Floor

First Floor

Name of the block

House Plan|Coffee Table

House Plan$0$Coffee Table

Coffee Table

Table 33-1

Naming of Xref Dependent Named Objects

AutoCAD Command: XREF The XREF command is used to manage reference f iles in the current drawing.

Shortcut: XREF or XR

2004-2008

2000-2002

AutoCAD Command: REFEDIT The REFEDIT command is used to edit a reference file or a block in the current drawing.

Shortcut: none

2004-2008 2000-2002











AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-14

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Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2007-2008

For AutoCAD 2007-20 2007-2008 08 users only. If you are using AutoCAD 2000-2006, skip to page 33-13) Step 1

Start a new drawing using the template Module Template B.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1. Using the PURGE command, purge all blocks that are in the drawing. Step 3

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 23-1 Figure Step 4 that you completed in Module 23. See Figure Step 4. Using the SAVEAS command, save save the drawing with with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A. Step 4

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 27-1 that you completed in Figure Step 5 Module 27. See Figure Step 5. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. Step 5

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 28-1 that you completed in Module 28. See Figure Step 6. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C. Step 6

Figure Step 6

Change the active drawing to AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1. Create layer Reference and set it as the current layer. See Figure Step 7. Step 7

Figure Step 7

Enter the XREF command. It will open the External References window as shown in Figure Step 8. Step 8











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Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2007-2008 - Continued

Click the Attach DWG icon as shown in Figure Step 9A. It will open the Select Reference File dialogue box as shown in Figure Step 9B. Step 9

Figure Step 9A

Figure Step 9B

Pull down the Look in box and locate the folder: C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercise Exercise See Figure Step 10A. When the files display, select the drawing file AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A that you created in Step 4. See Figure Figure Step 10B. Step 10

Figure Figure Step 10A













When the file is selected in Step 10B, the External Reference dialogue box will will open. Ensure that your dialogue box matches, matches, as close as possible, Figure Step 11A and then click OK. Using the graphic cursor, locate the drawing as shown in Figure Step 11B. Locate it by eye to match the figure the best you can. Its exact location is not important. Step 11


Enter the LAYER command and freeze the layers to match Figure Step 12A. Your drawing should now appear similar to Figure Step 12B. Step 12

Figure Step 11B Author's Comments:

The layers list in your drawing may not match exactly as shown. It depends on the layers you created in the original drawing. Do your best to freeze the layers so your

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Figure Step 12B

Attach the second reference file AutoCAD 2D Workalong 331B. For this one, set the scale at 0.03937 as shown in Figure Step 13. Step 13

Author's Comments:

The reason 0.03937 was used as a scale factor in this drawing is that it was drawn in in millimeters. Since there are 25.4 millimeters in an inch, 1 divided by 25.4 equals 0.03937. Figure Step 13

Locate the second reference file as shown in Figure Step 14. Locate it by eye as close as you can to match the figure. Step 14
















Author's Comments:

The layers list in your drawing may not match exactly as shown. It depends on the layers you created in the original drawing. Do your your best to freeze the layers so your


drawing matches Figure Step 15B.

Figure Step 15B

Attach the third reference file AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C. Set the scale at 0.5 to insert it at half of its original size. See Figure Step 16. Step 16

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Enter the LAYER command and freeze the layers to match Figure Step Step 18

18A. Your drawing should now appear

similar to Figure Step 18B Author's Comments:

The layers list in your drawing may not match exactly as shown. It Figure Figure Step 18A depends on the layers you created in the original drawing. Do your best to freeze the layers so your drawing matches Figure Step 18B. Enter the XREF XREF command. In the External Reference window, you should see the three reference drawings you just attached to the drawing. Notice how the Status indicates you have the latest version loaded. See Figure Step 19. Step 19

Figure Figure Step 18B












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Right-click drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong Workalon g 33-1B. It will will highlight as shown shown in Step 20 Figure 20A. Click the Unload button. See Figure Step 20A. Note in Figure Step 20B that the Status shows the drawing unloaded and in Figure Step 20C the drawing does not display.


Figure Step 20B Figure Figure Step 20C

Right-click the drawing again and click the Reload button as shown in Figure Step 21A. The drawing will reload itself as shown in Figure Step 21B. Step 21











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AutoCAD Self-p lf-pa aced Learning ing Mod Modu ules - Au AutoCAD 2D - Re Revise ised 20 2007-04-1 4-14


Right-click the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong Workalo ng 33-1C. It will highlight as shown in Figure 22A. Click the Detach button and the reference drawing will no longer display as shown in Figure Step 22B. Step 22

Author's Comments:

When a reference drawing drawing is unloaded, it still remains as an attached file but will not display on the current current drawing. drawing. When a reference drawing is detached, it is totally removed from the current drawing.

Figure Step 22A

Using the MOVE command, move the reference drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B as shown in Figure Step 23. You can locate it by eye. Step 23

Figure Step 22B

Note:

Figure Step 23 AutoCAD LT does not have a REFEDIT command. command. If you are using AutoCAD LT skip skip to Step 25A.













You are now in edit mode. The Refedit dialogue box will display. You can only edit the selected reference file. file. See Figure Step 25A. Using normal commands, edit the drawing by extending, erasing and trimming lines until your drawing appears as shown in Figure Step 25C. Figure Step 25B shows the intermediate step in the editing. editing. When you drawing appear appear the same same as Figure Step 25C, click the Save Reference Edits icon as shown in Figure Step 25D. Step 25

Figure Step 25A

Figure Step 25D

Figure Step 25B

Figure Step 25C

If you are using AutoCAD LT, open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.dwg in its own AutoCAD window using the OPEN command. command. Make the changes to the drawing as shown in Step 25 and save and close the drawing. In the External References window, reload it. Step 25A

Your drawing should now appear as Figure Step 26. Step 26

Enter the XREF command. In Step 27

Figure Step 26

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Open the Properties window and then select the drawing as shown in Figure Step 28. Note how it is now a block and not a reference file. Step 28

Figure Step 28

Open the Layers dialogue box and note the changes to the layer for the drawing that Step 29












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Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2000 - 2006

For AutoCAD 2000-20 2000-2006 06 users only. If you are using AutoCAD 2007-2008, skip to page 33-23) Step 1

Start a new drawing using the template Module Template B.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1. Using the PURGE command, purge all blocks in the drawing. Step 3

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 23-1 that you completed in Module 23. See Figure Step 4. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.

Figure Step 4

Step 4

Figure Step 5

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 27-1 that you completed in Module 27. See Figure Step 5. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. Step 5

Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 28-1 that you completed in Module Step 6

Figure Step 6











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Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2000 - 2006 - Continued

Click the Attach box as shown in in Figure Step 9A. It will will open the Select Reference File dialogue box as shown in Figure Step 9B. Step 9

Figure Step 9A

Figure Step 9B

Pull down the Look in box and locate the folder: C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD 2D\Lab Exercise Exercise See Figure Step 10A. When the files display, select the drawing file AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A that you created in Step 4. See figure Step Step 10B. Step 10














When the file is selecting in Step 10, the External Reference dialogue box will will open. Ensure that your dialogue box matches Figure Step 11A and then click OK. Using the graphic cursor, locate the drawing as shown in Figure Step 11B. Locate it by eye eye to match the figure the best that you can. Its exact location is not important. Step 11


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Figure Figure Step 12B

Attach the second reference file AutoCAD 2D Workalong 331B. For this one, set the scale at 0.03937 as shown in Figure Step 13. Step 13

Author's Comments:
















Author's Comments:

The layers list in


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Enter the LAYER command and freeze the layers to match Figure Step Step 18

18A. Your drawing should now appear

similar to Figure Step 18B Author's Comments:












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Click the drawing drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. It will will highlight as shown shown in Figure 20A. Click the Unload button. See Figure Step 20A. Note in Figure Step 20B that the Status shows the drawing unloaded and in Figure Step 20C the drawing does not display. Step 20











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Click the drawing drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C. It will will highlight as shown in in Figure 22A. Click the Detach button and the reference drawing will no display as shown in Figure Step 22B. Step 22













You are now in edit mode. The Refedit dialogue box will display. You can only edit the selected reference file. file. See Figure Step 25A. Using normal commands, edit the drawing file by extending, erasing and trimming lines until your drawing appears as shown in Figure Step 25C. Figure Step 25B shows the intermediate step in the editing. editing. When you drawing appear appear the same same as Figure Step 25C, click the Save Reference Edits icon as shown in Figure Step 25D. Step 25

Figure Step 25A

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Open the Properties window and the select the drawing as shown in Figure Step 28. Note how it is now a block and not a reference reference file. Step 28












Another feature that is hidden away in the bottom right corner of status bar is a small triangle that when clicked allows you to customize the status bar.

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Lab Exercise 33-1

Time Allowed: 30 Min. Drawing Specifications

Name

Template

Units

Text Style

Font











AutoCAD Se Self-p lf-pa aced Le Learning ing Mod Modu ules - AutoCAD 2D 2D - Re Revise ised 20 2007-04-1 4-14

Lab Exercise 33-2

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Time Allowed: 30 Min. Drawing Specifications

Name

Template

Units

Text Style

Font

Autocad 2d Module 33 PDF

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