Xref Paths - AutoCAD 2007

[Primal Scientist]

Hi,

I am currently working on a project that has approximately 120 drawings.

In these drawings there is around 3 to 7 Xrefs in each one.
When these xrefs are updated, I have to go through all the drawings and change their name and path so that the xref appears again.

This takes ages each time.
Is there a quicker way to do this? Is there a way in CAD that I can see what drawings are associated to what xrefs?
Is there an easier way to change paths too?

Please help and thanks in advance!!

Primal.

[Tiger]

Change paths?

let me see if I get this straight - you update the x-refs and in that process they change name? I would assume this is because you get a new set with a new date or something.

Why not keep the name and path to the x-refs? When you have to update them, move the old ones to another folder and always keep the updated ones in the same folder. That way you don't have to change the paths in each drawing and they will be updated as soon as you open it.

As for seeing which drawings are associated with which - I have no idea...

[Primal Scientist]

Yeah, I have picked up on this job where someone else left off.
Thats a good Idea, I may try that.

Its like these Xref's are named Proposal A, then B, then C and so on.
This is the same for Site Clearence A, then B, then C, then D and so on.

[Tiger]

yeah I see the problem then....but re-naming all those files is perhaps easier than going into every file and change the paths.

Just remember to leave a note (a notepad-file or somtehing) saying which date you updated it and which letter you are on and so on...so if someone picks up after you, it'll be easier :)

I hate to pick up old jobs - we just had that discussion in the office, that we really need someone to formulate a standard on how we do things...but noone's got the time and the boss hates internal work... :glare:

[Primal Scientist]

Yeah tell me about it.

I was at home yesterday (off sick).
Laying in bed, before I know it, I get text messages asking me to email drawings in to the office for a meeting.

Sick of it.

I need to figure out how to do these changes on the Xrefs, but no one has done it here.
Working on site, and I am the only CAD Tech here.

[Alan Cullen]

I was just wandering by, and I saw this thread. Is there an x-ref problem here?

Mawhawhawhaw. Buggar me. :twisted: I'll just keep going then, Tiger. Okay? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Tiger]

yes Alan, move on - and never come back!! Haven't we decided that you are suppose to stay far away from everything even remotely related to X-refs?? ****** off....:glare:

Primal - ignore Alan, he's just .... an Aussie, ok? :wink:

And why are you a CAD Tech working out in the field? That sounds like a pain...

[Primal Scientist]

Its just the way it is at the moment, constantly providing co-ordinates and drawings as required really. Providing construction information.
Good experience though!!

I work lots of Australians here too!! They are good lads!! :D

Sorry Tiger!!

[Tiger]

I agree with that, it's real good experience to be out in the field and see the drawings in use so to speak. It was kinda an eye-opener to see the guy that was doing the digging for my pipes take my drawing, in half-scale and mesure with a folding rule where he was suppose to dig...and I had spent a couple of days getting everything right to the millimeters...:?

Oh damn...another win for the Aussie....:glare:

[Primal Scientist]

Actually, yeah, these guys here tend to dig where they think best and not look at the drawings.....:cry:

Lol!!

So what sort of job are you working on at the moment then?

[Tiger]

Me? I do construction drawings for district heating - lots of big big pipes that need to go down into the ground, where there's already too many pipes...:glare:

[Primal Scientist]

Yeah I know where your coming from there.

Theres already so many utilities in the ground, but I'm sure we can get some more in, hey??? :glare:

[bsamc2000]

Has there been an answer yet. I will check back in the morning. I have a program that will work. If no one gives an answer before then I will post it.

Thanks,
Brian

[Primal Scientist]

Hey Brian,

Just some ideas from Tiger, been very helpful!!

If you know a programme, that would be just great.

Many thanks,

Primal.

[bsamc2000]

I have a program that reads the xref files and then changes then to a relative path. I can modify it for you if you wish. All I need to know is the file names and/or the file format.
For example:
1. abc123 to 1ab23c
or
2. abcdef to 12345

Thanks,
Brian

[Primal Scientist]

Sorry Brian, how do you mean? :huh:

[Primal Scientist]

Brian,

This is some of the Xref's that I am currently using.

WM85653-PROP-I
WM85653-TOPO-V3
WM85653-SIGNL-V9
WM85653-WALL-SECTIONS

[bsamc2000]

Brian,

This is some of the Xref's that I am currently using.

WM85653-PROP-I
WM85653-TOPO-V3
WM85653-SIGNL-V9
WM85653-WALL-SECTIONS

Are these the file names that you are moving to or from?

[Primal Scientist]

These are some of the Xref's that are currently being used.
The PROP I Xref is about to be repaced by a new Xref known as PROP J (I have just had to amend an Island in the road).
So, when ready, I will "cut" the Xref PROP-I from my Xref Folder and move it to another Folder known as Archive, this will make PROP-J my latest Xref, but once I do this, I will have to go through all my current drawings and see what paths have to be changed from PROP-I to PROP-J, so that all my existing drawings show the new Xref.
PROP-I is going from the Xref Folder to the Archive Folder.

PROP-I is the only Xref that is being updated at the moment.

Does this help?

Sorry!!! :bloodshot:

[bsamc2000]

I hope this helps. I wrote it on Autocad 2008 64-bit.
I couldn't test it without having your files and structure. just place both files in your support folder and load the lisp file. It should go from there.

The basic idea is that it will check all of your xref files in the open drawing and if can not find them it looks for a newer version based on the the last letter in the file name. If it finds one within 5 attampts it will change the file for you.
I'm sure there are few bugs being I modified my existing program in about 15 minutes.
Good luck.

Thanks,
Brian

[Primal Scientist]

Thanks Brian,

I will let you know how I go!!

Primal.

[Primal Scientist]

Hey Brian,

Not having a lot of luck at the moment...
Will let you know soon how I go.

Primal.

[bsamc2000]

Hey Brian,

Not having a lot of luck at the moment...
Will let you know soon how I go.

Primal.
You will need to modify the code to meet your needs. It should be a start. Are there any errors being given?

Brian