xrefs

Ok,

in a previous post I was talking about the best way to handle large drawings and use parts of that drawing for my benefit. It was brought to my attention to use xr command. I did so, I am still working with the xr to learn but I am confused of why I should do this. I went to a website that explains xrefs and they basically said the most advantageous aspect was that multiple people can work on hte same drawings. Can someone explain to me the key aspects of why xrefs are so great! If not, dont worry.

In Brief the xref is normally the plan of the building etc, and the sparkys and mech etc add their parts to it, the xref will update on the server if its changed so everyone who is using the xref will see the changes on their drawings without altering the xref them selves for any changers made by the client, so just one drawing to change not several copys, well thats how I see it correct me if im wrong

Ok,

 

in a previous post I was talking about the best way to handle large drawings and use parts of that drawing for my benefit. It was brought to my attention to use xr command. I did so, I am still working with the xr to learn but I am confused of why I should do this. I went to a website that explains xrefs and they basically said the most advantageous aspect was that multiple people can work on hte same drawings. Can someone explain to me the key aspects of why xrefs are so great! If not, dont worry.

In no particular order using xrefs allows you to:

• Have multiple users working on the same drawing at once.
  
• Reduces file size and hard drive storage space required.
  
• Allows multiple drawings containing an xref to be updated in one go.
  
• Allows a single floor plan to be reused several times for multi story buildings.

The following articles explain the benefits in greater depth:

Block Vs XREF

Going External with References in AutoCAD

Xrefs External References Concept & Application

whats a sparky

whats a sparky

Slang for an electrician

I have never used xrefs either though i always see a lot of related threads in this forum.I am not clear how xrefs really function.From your posts,it seems there must be a 'server',and the reference drawing must be put on the 'server',and if the primary designer make any change,the other member in the same group can just follow that?am i understandingly right?

Think of xrefs as a special kind of block that someone else has made. You can insert their block(xref) into your drawing (insert xref) and that block brings with it all properties of the xref (block) layers, colors,etc. But if they edit their drawing, and then save the new drawintg, the next time you open your drawing containing the xref (block) it automatically updates and includes their changes. This allowes the various contractors mechanical, electrical, etc to work on theirown plans at the same time and when the master drawing is oened it updates to show the most current view of all the contractors drawings.

xref = external reference. You're simply pulling another drawing into the one you're working on. You can't edit the xref from the one you're in, but you can see it, snap to it, dimension it, etc.

It does not have to be on any specific server, unless you're sharing with other people. I just put them in the main job directory on our project drive, usually in a subdirectory called "XREF". It doesn't have to be anywhere specific, and you can even have them on your local computer's hard drive in any directory (but no one else will be able to see them there).

I used to work in commercial building design (structural), and we'd use XREF's extensively. The architect would send everyone the building grid and primary plan. The mechanical engineer would add his equipment and required openings. I'd XREF these drawings in and add the beams and columns (lines only) in a separate file. I'd send my steel plan out to the others so they could reference it. If something changed, like a roof-top cooling unit had to move, then the mechanical would re-send his file. All I had to do was re-open my drawing and it was automatically updated with the latest information. I then had to shift beams and loads to match the revised information.

The final "drawing" files (the ones with the title blocks) would have nothing in it but notes, dimensions, and details. All the beams, grids, etc. in the plan view would be pulled in from 2-3 externally referenced files.

We use XREFs a lot in the world of Civil Engineering. 'especially if a server is connected in, or the job is in the early stages.

Is very simple when working on a grading plan to XREF in the works of an Architect as for foot print of some hose, a simple footing diagram, or a simple foot print of the concrete slab. Just insert the latest rendition into the server, and the recheck your work as to revisions. If names are the same it will come up the same, and no surprizes.

Oh, now we got a chimney? Then the house pad has to be moved. As where is it at affects the sideyards. He moved the BASE point too.

With an XREF you get the latest information every minute, and do not have to remember as to an update then. That is why they are called temporary. For only good up to the instant you punch the PLOT button. May change an hour later on too.

Wm.