Xref Beginner question

[bezy9530]

Let me first start by saying that I am newbie to Autocad, and I am trying to learn as much as possible. I have a lighting plan that has an xref attached to it for everything else. I need to edit this xref, but when i click on it, it changes to dotted lines, and I can't edit any part of it. Like I said, I am a newbie, and need very detailed instructions on what the problem is! Thanks! I am attaching a picture...I think. Thanks again!

[JPlanera]

Welcome to the forum bezy!

 

The xref is just a snapshot of another drawing. If you select the xref, access the right-click menu. You will see Edit xref in Place, and Open xref. choosing one of these will allow you to edit the reference.

 

Alternatively, type XREF at the command line to view the xref window. It will list the references attached to the drawing. From there you have access to editing as well

 

I see from the snapshot, you have the xref window open.. the TDA file is the reference, right click on it and select open.

 

Once you make your changes to the reference. save and close the reference file. Once back in the main drawing, you will have to update the references. If you do not see a message in the lower right hand corner of your screen to "reload references" then right click on the TDA drawing name in the xref window and select reload...

[ReMark]

What is the setting for Xedit? If it is set to "0" reset it to "1". This will enable in-place reference editing.

[Jack_O'neill]

Just keep in mind that if you edit an X-ref, it will change it in every drawing that it's used in the next time those drawings are opened. In other words, lets say you are doing a multistory building and you xref'd your lighting plan in to drawings for floors 3, 4 and 5. A change comes along to the lighting plan, so you make the change either in place or by opening the lighting drawing. That change will be reflected in the drawings for all 3 floors when they are opened again. That's great if you intended to change all three, but if it's only for one floor it will cause you problems if you edit the xref. I don't know your situation, just wanted to throw that in. It can be a real surprise if there are several people working on a project and someone changes an xref that others have used and either don't know about or don't want changes.

[bezy9530]

Thanks for all the replies. When I use the xref command, and try to right click on the TDA file, the "open" option is greyed out. Now what?? Thanks!! Does it have anything to do with the original drawing that is xrefed into my lighting plan no being on my computer? Your help and patience is appreciated! Thanks again.

[rkent]

It doesn't matter where the file resides so that is not the problem. What happens if you double click on the xref?

[bezy9530]

It doesn't matter where the file resides so that is not the problem. What happens if you double click on the xref?

 

If I double click, it brings up a dialogue box entitled "edit block definition," and when i clock OK, an error comes up that says "Block contains proxy objects. Cannot edit block in block editor" Now i'm really confused...

[rkent]

If I double click, it brings up a dialogue box entitled "edit block definition," and when i clock OK, an error comes up that says "Block contains proxy objects. Cannot edit block in block editor" Now i'm really confused...

 

The xref file was created with either a vertical product like Architectural or MEP and that is why you get the proxy objects error.

 

You will need to open the xref file like any other file, navigate to it and open it up. If you get the same message then you will need to download the object enablers for 2009 Arch and or MEP. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/index?siteID=123112&id=2334440&linkID=9240618#section3