Updating xrefs

[cooperchris]

I'm not sure if there is a solution to this or a better way, but I would like to easily update an xref which has moved base point. I work doing mechanical and electrical drawings and we draw our stuff with the Architect's background xref 'd in. Sometimes though, they will change the base point for no reason and all the m&e stuff is miles away. There are two things I can do, I can moved their xref they sent us to match the old location or I can move the m&e stuff to suit the new location (i normally do this because i want to use their base point which is the right thing to do, but i would have to move all the things in all the m&e drawings to suit). Any ideas on a better to update an xref that has moved base point but without all the hassle? thanks

[RobDraw]

Once a project has started, it is easiest to adjust the architect's background to original location. This is what I do. There really is no right or wrong unless you are exchanging CAD files. In that case, you need to coordinate with the architect, unfortunately. Because, you know, the client is always right.

 

[Dadgad]

Welcome to the forum.

If you inserted it, didn't Xref it in, wouldn't it be less problematic?

If you have never seen this lisp from Lee Mac's awesome site,

you might like to know about it ......

http://www.lee-mac.com/changeblockinsertion.html

Thanks Lee!

[cooperchris]

Thanks for that, lots of lisps on that site! I wonder if this can be done for xrefs though? We don't use blocks

[Dadgad]

I just found this, looks like it would work for you, I hope so.

 

http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/ACD/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3amoveblockbasepointbypt%3aen

[cooperchris]

Thanks Dadgad, that's a cool tool, I tested it there. The thing with it is that you need to do it in every drawing the xref appears in, which is what I would do anyway, plus if you move the base point of the xref in the main drawing, then go into the xref drawing and save it (not even change anything), it moves the xref back to the original position in the main drawing .

[RobDraw]

The thing with it is that you need to do it in every drawing the xref appears in

With my method there is no need to go into every drawing.

[cooperchris]

With my method there is no need to go into every drawing.

 

Yes but the Architects change the positions a lot, if you move the architecture in the xref, it moves in all the drawings it's linked into. I could move new architecture to the old position but if the Architect required one of our drawings, our stuff wouldn't come into their drawing at the right position because we would be using the wrong base point. It's something that happens a lot for us, but hopefully less soon because everything will be in Revit

[RobDraw]

I run into that all the time. When I started working with backgrounds from architects, I thought I should keep up with the base point changes because I thought I had missed something the first time around. When I realized it was happening almost every updated I felt like I was chasing a gopher and that it was a total waste of time to try to keep up. If the architect wants to change the base point after the project has started, that is there problem, not mine. When I send drawings out to architects who change base points, I will provide a reference point like a column line intersection, or include the background and let them take care of the base point. Unless the architect lets you know that the change in base point is for coordination purposes, I will keep my backgrounds at the coordinates that were used for the initial project set-up. Stop chasing the gopher.

[cooperchris]

Fair enough! They have moaned before about my stuff not being in the right place but it was their fault, I suppose it's about time I change my attitude to 'no I'm not doing it!' Cheers

[RobDraw]

Just don't go too far with the new attitiude. You still have to work with them. A little communication goes a long way. You have to remember that the architect is always right even if they are wrong. Make sure you explain to them why you are not doing it and tell them you will provide some sort of reference point so they can line up the plans.