Creating a master revision schedule?

[mkisno4]

Hi all. I have a project with multiple files and my titleblock is a block, as I work in model space. I was wondering if there's a way to create one sort of 'master' revision schedule inside my block so I can only update that one and the rest will automatically update across the rest of the files...? Is that possible?

 

Thanks!

[rkent]

create a drawing with just the revision schedule, then xref that into each drawing.

[TheCADnoob]

create a drawing with just the revision schedule, then xref that into each drawing.

 

+1

 

The only other easy solution that come to mind would be have them data linked to the same data source. I've done this for a set of drawings instead of having to edit the block each time i would just update the spread sheet.

[mkisno4]

create a drawing with just the revision schedule, then xref that into each drawing.

Wow. Such a simple solution. Can't believe I didn't think about it. Thanks a lot, I tested it and it seems to work exactly the way I want it to!

 

+1

 

The only other easy solution that come to mind would be have them data linked to the same data source. I've done this for a set of drawings instead of having to edit the block each time i would just update the spread sheet.

What do you mean by "having to edit the block each time"? You mean with the non-xref method correct?

 

In the long run wouldn't both methods be the same? Any advantages of a data source? I'm not too familiar with them, but if they provide advantages for what I want to do over the xref idea I'll play with it.

[ReMark]

I'd go with the xref solution over the datalink one hands down.

[mkisno4]

I'd go with the xref solution over the datalink one hands down.

 

Yes that's what I think I'll be doing.

 

However, some weird problem...everytime I load in my xref and close my block editor, the xref becomes "unreferenced". Then when I go into my block it's as if my xref was exploded...?

 

When I tested it before in test/empty file it seemed to work...not anymore in my actual files...?

[ReMark]

You're creating a xref while you are inside the block editor? I'm not sure that is what rkent had in mind when he made his suggestion.

[mkisno4]

You're creating a xref while you are inside the block editor? I'm not sure that is what rkent had in mind when he made his suggestion.

 

Well I created a separate file for the revisions, and then I brought it in to my titleblock block as an xref. It's just a lot less headache I think having it inside the block itself. It did work before, as I mentioned.

 

Though after digging a little more it seems that it doesn't like dropbox, as that's what we use. When I put the xref on my computer, it's fine. When I put it on dropbox it goes crazy and does the whole "unreferenced" thing. We always use xrefs and have no problems...I guess it's different when it comes into inserting them inside blocks...? Is there a solution?

[ReMark]

What you ask is beyond the scope of my knowledge as we do not utilize xrefs. Perhaps when rkent stops by later on he can provide you with answers to your questions.

[RobDraw]

Do not put the XREF in the block. Insert it as a separate entity.

[rkent]

As RobDraw and others have said, the revision table is its own drawing file, open each file and xref it in.

[mkisno4]

Do not put the XREF in the block. Insert it as a separate entity.

 

Thank you for the reply.

 

Why is that? As I mentioned, it seems to work well when I save the xref on my computer. Any specific reasons, perhaps long term issues?

 

The reason I'd prefer to put it into the block is because of scaling issues. I have different drawings at different scales. So when I put it in the block I don't have to worry about that anymore, I don't need to scale things up or down.

[ReMark]

Maybe the problem is path related? The options are Full, Relative and None. What is it on your computer?

 

My wild guess would be that you have either a Full or Relative path specified on your computer. I think it would have to be changed to None thus forcing the search for the referenced drawing to the current folder of the host drawing. Like I said...wild guess.

[RobDraw]

I wouldn't even try working with XREFs in blocks. It just sounds like a bad idea. I think you are asking for trouble.

 

Making your title blocks into XREFs and using paper space would be a good idea.

[mkisno4]

As RobDraw and others have said, the revision table is its own drawing file, open each file and xref it in.

Sorry, missed your reply. Yes, that's what I'm doing, and it works great until I use dropbox.

 

Maybe the problem is path related? The options are Full, Relative and None. What is it on your computer?

 

My wild guess would be that you have either a Full or Relative path specified on your computer. I think it would have to be changed to None thus forcing the search for the referenced drawing to the current folder of the host drawing. Like I said...wild guess.

 

Ya I thought of that and tried relative, none, and absolute, but same problem. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

I wouldn't even try working with XREFs in blocks. It just sounds like a bad idea. I think you are asking for trouble.

 

Making your title blocks into XREFs and using paper space would be a good idea.

 

I can see what you're saying. Although I can't think of any at the moment, it does seem like something waiting to go wrong. Unfortunately though we'd rather not go into paper space at this point, and having the titleblock as an xref doesn't work for how we have things set up. Either I'll just put the xrefs outside the titleblock block and scale accordingly, or try something else. I'll keep fiddling.

[RobDraw]

Unfortunately though we'd rather not go into paper space at this point, and having the titleblock as an xref doesn't work for how we have things set up.

 

Okay, but once you do go this route, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

[rkent]

Thank you for the reply.

 

Why is that? As I mentioned, it seems to work well when I save the xref on my computer. Any specific reasons, perhaps long term issues?

 

The reason I'd prefer to put it into the block is because of scaling issues. I have different drawings at different scales. So when I put it in the block I don't have to worry about that anymore, I don't need to scale things up or down.

 

It is tough to give exact answers on work flow without actually being there, so I give answers based on what I think the question is and how it relates to my work. I don't use dropbox so I am not sure how that is being used for your flow. And until the last post I don't think I knew you were not using PS, as an example.

[mkisno4]

Okay, but once you do go this route, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

No, I can definitely see the advantages of going to paper space, but unfortunately it's not really my call/decision to switch or not at this point. Thank you for the advice and feedback though.

 

It is tough to give exact answers on work flow without actually being there, so I give answers based on what I think the question is and how it relates to my work. I don't use dropbox so I am not sure how that is being used for your flow. And until the last post I don't think I knew you were not using PS, as an example.

That makes sense, I understand. Nonetheless, all the advice and feedback I've been given are useful for the workflow we have going on, and gives me some food for thought moving forward.

 

Thanks all for the help!

[ROBP]

Late reply but had to chip in

Did a drawing with 100 and so sheets of a 46 level building and no way i did use xref since if a revision was needed it was only for a specific area and data or 1 floor only it was then published over the network. Therefore only the revised sheets and dwg was sent to network for others do download, sheet was identified as named rev.......to the following number

with rev cloud pointing out the modif.

Original file was saved on our data disk without crashing the original one just in case we want to go back to previous one.

 

Never crash original and have to waste time and redo it for sure it will increase the margin of error.

 

HTH

[TheCADnoob]

Wow. Such a simple solution. Can't believe I didn't think about it. Thanks a lot, I tested it and it seems to work exactly the way I want it to!

 

 

What do you mean by "having to edit the block each time"? You mean with the non-xref method correct?

 

In the long run wouldn't both methods be the same? Any advantages of a data source? I'm not too familiar with them, but if they provide advantages for what I want to do over the xref idea I'll play with it.

 

It sounds like for what you need data link would be unnecessarily complicated. It could work well in a situation where several drawings were on different revs. If you were working on a model and had different views it is possible to updates the model which could rev different views and not affect others and in this instance you would not have to open each drawing/block attribute for the respective views, you would simply update a spread sheet.