Insert Reference

This is a text-only command.

An external reference (XREF) is like a part, except that a reference to a file is inserted, instead of the file itself. This is most easily explained using an example. Imagine you wanted to insert a compass rose into your drawing stored in compass rose.fcw. You insert it:

As a part:
The compass rose becomes part of the drawing. If you change or delete compass rose.fcw, it will make no difference to the main drawing.

As an XREF:
The compass rose behaves like a symbol reference; you can only scale it, rotate it, or delete it. However, if you change compass rose.fcw, it will change the parent drawng.

This is useful if you want to be able to change drawings en masse, for example, you want a compass rose that can be changed in all drawings, or you have a complex logo you want to include in many drawings.

It is critical that the XREF file must exist on the same drive and path as when it was created. CC3 will not "search" for the file if it is not where the XREF says it will be. This may create portability problems, especially if the host drawing contains XREF’s to many differently located files. If the host drawing is moved to another computer, the XREF files must be moved into the identical drive/directory structure.

You can also use Draw >> Insert File to insert a reference file into your drawing.

An XREF reference can be edited to point to a different file using the EDIT command [Edit >Singel Edit > Edit]. When you select the XREF, CC3 displays the standard file dialog, from which you can choose a new file.

You can import AutoCAD files with XREF’s, but the exact original path (DWG) cannot be changed. If the host file is DWG, then the XREF files must be DWG also. Exports to DWG change the XREF file type to DWG.

Text equivalent: XREF

Related Topics

Symbol commands