Attaches DWG files to the current drawing through the command bar (short for "external reference").
Accessing the Command
command bar: -xref
alias: -xr
: -XRef
Prompts you in the command bar:
External References [? to list external references/ Attach/ Overlay/ Bind/ Detach/ Path /Reload/ Unload] <Attach>: (Enter an option)
Displays a dialog box:
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Choose a DWG file
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Click Open. The program prompts you in the command bar (see -Insert command):
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Insertion point for block: (Pick a point, or enter x,y coordinates)
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Corner/XYZ/X scale factor <1.000000>: (Enter an option, a number, or press Enter for the default value)
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Y scale factor: < Equal to X scale (1.000000)>: (Enter an option, a number, or press Enter for the default value)
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Rotation angle for block <0>: (Enter a number, or press Enter for the default value)
The XDWGFADECTL system variable sets the fading of external references. Values between 0 (no fading) and 90 are accepted.
Command Options
Option |
Description |
? to list |
Lists the names of all blocks in the current drawing. Prompts you: Xref(s) to list <* for all> - (press Enter to list xrefs already attached, or enter part of a name to view some xrefs.) Sample report: Xref name Xref Type Path If necessary, press F2 to view the full list. See TextScr command. |
Bind |
You are prompted differently, depending on the setting of the BINDTYPE variable:
Externally referenced drawing(s) to insert - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; separate multiple names with commas.)
Externally referenced drawing(s) to bind - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; separate multiple names with commas.) |
Insert |
Converts xrefs into blocks; prompts you: Externally referenced drawing(s) to insert - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; separate multiple names with commas.) This option is hidden, but you can type i or insert at the command prompt. |
Detach |
Detaches xrefs from the drawing; prompts you: Externally referenced drawing(s) to detach - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; sSeparate multiple names with commas.) Detached xrefs are removed from the drawing, and are no longer displayed. Use the Attach option to reattach them. |
Path |
Changes the path to the xref's source DWG file; prompts you:
When the path is incorrect, the program cannot display the xref, so use this option when the source DWG file is located in a different folder or on another computer. |
Reload |
Reloads the xrefs from their source DWG files; prompts you: Externally referenced drawing(s) to reload - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; separate multiple names with commas.) The program reports whether the DWG file has changed since the xref was last loaded: -- Reload Xref XREF1: d:\CAD\XREF1.DWG -- Use this option when the source DWG file has changed, and you want to see the updated drawing. |
Unload |
Unloads the xrefs from the drawing; prompts you: Externally referenced drawing(s) to unload - (enter the names of one or more xrefs; separate multiple names with commas.) BricsCAD reports the xrefs that were unloaded: -- Xref XREF2: d:\CAD\XREF2.DWG -- This option keeps the links to the source DWG files, and hides the display of xrefs in the drawing. |
Overlay |
Overlays xrefs in the current drawing; displays the Select File to Overlay dialog box.
See the Insert command. |
Attach |
Attaches xrefs to the current drawing; displays the Select File to Attach dialog box.
See the Insert command. |
Overlay and Attach operate the same way. The difference is in how they treat xrefs that have xrefs themselves (nested xrefs).
- Overlay - attaches only the first level of xref, nested xrefs are not attached.
- Attach - attaches all xrefs, including nested xrefs.
Grips Editing
External references can be edited directly through grips:
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Select the xref. Notice that it has one grip at its insertion point.
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Drag the grip to move the xref.
Related Commands
Pdfattach - inserts a PDF file as an underlay into the current drawing.
-PdfAttach - inserts a PDF file as an underlay into the current drawing; displays prompts in the command bar.
XRef - attaches and controls externally referenced drawings through the Drawing Explorer.
XAttach - attaches xrefs through a dialog box.
XClip - clips externally-referenced drawings.
Insert - inserts drawings as blocks.