How to start using xref?

[liss]

I have AutoCAD 2006 and I someone told me about xref but I am not sure how to get started. I have a basic plan and I would like to create the different layers using this xref command but I am feeling lost. Also they mentioned this visretain command as well???? HELP![/list]

[Spageddie]

Xref Overview
· Using an eXternal reference file (Xref) in the current drawing is similar to using Insert to insert a drawing file into the current file
¨ except when you Open a host (a drawing that references external files) the current version of each referenced file is used
¨ whereas, when you Insert a drawing into another drawing, there is no link back to the inserted (external) drawing file.
¨ Xrefs are practical in large projects because several different people can work on separate Xref components at the same time.
· Assembly drawings are a typical application for reference files.
¨ assembly drawings (hosts) reference component files (Xrefs).
¨ any changes to component files (Xrefs) are automatically updated in the assembly drawing file (host).
· When you use Xrefs you can be sure that your host drawing files are always up-to-date
¨ but you must manage your drawing files carefully to be sure the externally referenced drawings are always accessible.
¨ otherwise, when you Open your host drawings you may not see all of the required drawing data.

An assembly drawing (host) could reference each component as an external
reference file (Xref).
The Xrefs could be 2D or 3D drawings.

· You can also share common elements in related drawings as Xrefs.
· For example, a Floor Plan.dwg could be referenced in many other drawings that relate to the walls in an office design.
¨ an Architectural.dwg could reference the Floor Plan.dwg with information specific to this discipline (e.g. wall dimensions).
¨ an Electrical.dwg could reference the Floor Plan.dwg to show electrical outlets relative to the walls.
¨ an Interior Design.dwg could reference the Floor Plan.dwg to show furniture relative to the walls.
· Any changes to the Floor Plan.dwg would be automatically updated when you Open any of the host drawings.
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As for the vis etain...this is a toggle that controls layer colors, if you change xref layer colors and want to retain these changes then set visretain to 1...

Type it into the command prompt..

Otherwise the colors will be reset when you next open your drawing, as the xref is reloaded.