autocad 2d module 33 pdf

8/14/2019 Autocad 2d Module 33 PDF

1/25

Learning Outcomes:

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules

AutoCAD 2DModule 33

Reference Files

When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe and apply the XREF and REFEDIT commands.

Reference Files

An external reference file is a drawing file linked to the current drawing. It acts as one object

similar to a block and appears to be part of the active drawing. Usually called a reference fileor axref, it is quite different from a block. A reference file updates itself whenever the drawingit is linked to is opened. It can also be updated manually by the CAD operator. If the drawingthat is attached as an xref is changed, the changes will appear when the drawing it is attachedto is opened or reloaded. Since it is only linked to the drawing, it does not add a significantamount to the drawings database.

The XREF command is used to manage the reference file(s) that are linked to the current

drawing. You can attach more than one reference file at the same time. All objects in thereference file must be in model space. Reference files can be scaled or rotated when they areattached with the XREF command or after they are attached with the SCALE and/or ROTATEcommands. You can snap to the object snap modes of objects in the reference files. Areference file can be edited in the current drawing with the changes going back to the originaldrawing file. This is done with the REFEDIT command. AutoCAD LT does not have the

REFEDIT command.

Xref Dependant Named Objects

Xref dependent named objects are the layers, linetypes, dimension styles, blocks and text

styles of the reference file. They are added to the drawing they are attached to as non-graphical object information. The names are changed so that no two names are the same.Table 33-1 shows how the non-graphical names are dealt with by AutoCAD.

This table demonstrates how AutoCAD names the xref dependent named objects for layers,

linetypes, dimension styles, blocks, and text styles. In this table, the name of the attached xreffile drawing is House Plan and a layer in that drawing is First Floor and a block named CoffeeTable. For a reference file, the name of the non-graphical object is changed to the name

drawing name|object. If it is bound to the drawing, it is renamed name$n$objectname. The nstarts with zero and increases by one if the same name is encountered.

Binding a Reference File

A reference file can be bound to the drawing it is attached to with the XREF command. When

a reference drawing is bound to the drawing, the XREF command converts it into a block. Thexref dependent named objects are renamed according to Table 33-1. You can explode theblock to convert the objects into single objects and they become part of the drawing.

Reference Files The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright 1993 - 2007 Module 33
http://www.abbyy.com/buyhttp://www.abbyy.com/buy


2/25

33 - 2 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-14

When you bind a reference file, you have the option of either binding it or inserting it. Insertinga reference file converts it into a block but it strips the named non-graphical objects back totheir original names. See Table 33-1.

Xref Dependent Named Objects

When the Xref is: A Reference file Bound Inserted

Name of the layer House Plan|First Floor House Plan$0$First Floor First Floor

Name of the block House Plan|Coffee

Table

House Plan$0$Coffee

Table

Coffee Table

Table 33-1

Naming of Xref Dependent Named Objects

AutoCAD Command: XREFThe XREF command is used to manage reference f iles in the current drawing.

Shortcut: XREF orXR

2004-2008

2000-2002

AutoCAD Command: REFEDITThe REFEDIT command is used toedit a reference file or a block inthe current drawing.

Shortcut: none

2004-2008

This Command is not available in AutoCAD LT.

2000-2002



3/25

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-14

Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2007-2008

For AutoCAD 2007-2008 users only. If you are using

AutoCAD 2000-2006, skip to page 33-13)

Step 1 Start a new drawing using the template Module Template B.

Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1.

Step 3 Using the PURGE command, purge all

blocks that are in the drawing.

33 - 3

Step 4 Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 23-1

that you completed in Module 23. See FigureFigure Step 4

Figure Step 5

Step 4. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the nameAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.

Step 5 Open the drawing AutoCAD

2D Lab 27-1 that you completed in

Module 27. See Figure Step 5. Usingthe SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the nameAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B.

Step 6 Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 28-1 that you

completed in Module 28. See Figure Step 6. Using theSAVEAS command, save the drawing with the nameAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C.

Step 7 Change the active drawing to

AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1. Createlayer Reference and set it as thecurrent layer. See Figure Step 7.

Step 8 Enter the XREF command. It

Figure Step 6

Figure Step 7

will open the External References window as shown in Figure Step 8.

Figure Step 8

...continued on page 33-4

http://www.abbyy.com/buyhttp://www.abbyy.com/buyhttp://www.abbyy.com/buy


4/25


Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2007-2008 - Continued

Step 9 Click the Attach DWG icon as shown in Figure Step 9A. It

will open the Select Reference File dialogue box as shown in FigureStep 9B.

Figure Step 9B

Step 10 Pull down the Look in box andlocate the folder: C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD2D\Lab Exercise See Figure Step 10A. Whenthe files display, select the drawing fileAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A that youcreated in Step 4. See Figure Step 10B.

Figure Step 9A


Figure Step 10B

Figure Step 10A



5/25



Step 11 When the file is

selected in Step 10B, theExternal Reference dialogue

box will open. Ensure thatyour dialogue box matches,as close as possible, FigureStep 11A and then click OK.Using the graphic cursor,locate the drawing as shownin Figure Step 11B. Locateit by eye to match the figurethe best you can. Its exactlocation is not important.

Figure Step 11A

Step 12 Enter the LAYERcommand and freeze the layers tomatch Figure Step 12A. Yourdrawing should now appear similarto Figure Step 12B.

Figure Step 11B

Author's Comments:

The layers list in yourdrawing may notmatch exactly asshown. It dependson the layers you

created in the originaldrawing. Do yourbest to freeze thelayers so your

33 - 5

drawing match FigureStep 12B.


Reference Files

Figure Step 12A

The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright 1993 - 2007 Module 33


6/25



Figure Step 12B

Step 13 Attach the

second reference fileAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. For this one, set thescale at 0.03937 as shownin Figure Step 13.

Author's Comments:

The reason 0.03937 wasused as a scale factor inthis drawing is that it wasdrawn in millimeters. Sincethere are 25.4 millimeters in

an inch, 1 divided by 25.4equals 0.03937.

Figure Step 13

Step 14 Locate the second reference

file as shown in Figure Step 14. Locateit by eye as close as you can to matchthe figure.


Figure Step 14



7/25



Step 15 Enter the

LAYER commandand freeze the

layers to matchFigure Step 15A.Your drawing shouldnow appear similar

to Figure Step 15B.

Author's

Comments:

33 - 7

The layers list inyour drawing maynot match exactly as shown. Itdepends on the layers you created

in the original drawing. Do yourbest to freeze the layers so yourdrawing matches Figure Step 15B.

Step 16 Attach the third

reference file AutoCAD

2D Workalong 33-1C.Set the scale at 0.5 toinsert it at half of itsoriginal size. See FigureStep 16.

Figure Step 15A

Figure Step 15B

Figure Step 16

Step 17 Locate the third reference file as shown in

Figure Step 17. It can be located by eye.


Reference Files The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright 1993 - 2007

Figure Step 17

Module 33


8/25



Step 18 Enter

the LAYERcommand and

freeze the layers tomatch Figure Step18A. Your drawing

should now appear

similar to FigureStep 18B

Author's

Comments:

The layers list inyour drawing maynot match exactly

as shown. Itdepends on the

Figure Step 18A

layers you created in the original drawing. Do your bestto freeze the layers so your drawing matches FigureStep 18B.

Step 19 Enter the XREF command. In the ExternalReference window, you should see the three referencedrawings you just attached to the drawing. Notice howthe Status indicates you have the latest version loaded.See Figure Step 19.

Figure Step 19



Figure Step 18B

Module 33


9/25



33 - 9

Step 20 Right-click drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. It will highlight as shown in

Figure 20A. Click the Unload button. See Figure Step 20A. Note in Figure Step 20B thatthe Status shows the drawing unloaded and in Figure Step 20C the drawing does not

display.

Figure Step 20A

Figure Step 20B

Figure Step 20C

Step 21 Right-click the drawing again and click the Reload button as shown in FigureStep 21A. The drawing will reload itself as shown in Figure Step 21B.

Figure Step 21B

Figure Step 21A




10/25



Step 22 Right-click the drawing

AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C. Itwill highlight as shown in Figure

22A. Click the Detach button andthe reference drawing will no longerdisplay as shown in Figure Step22B.

Author's Comments:

When a reference drawing isunloaded, it still remains as anattached file but will not display onthe current drawing. When areference drawing is detached, it is

totally removed from the current drawing.

Step 23 Using theMOVE command,move the referencedrawing AutoCAD2D Workalong 33-1Bas shown in FigureStep 23. You canlocate it by eye.

Figure Step 22A

Figure Step 22B Note: Figure Step 23

AutoCAD LT does not have aREFEDIT command. If you are

using AutoCAD LT skip to Step

25A.

Step 24 Enter the REFEDIT

command and when prompted,select the reference drawingAutoCAD 2D workalong 33-1A. Thiswill open the Reference Edit dialogue

box as shown in Figure Step 24. Setit to match Figure Step 24 and clickOK.

Figure Step 24...continued on page 33-11



11/25



Step 25 You are now in edit mode. The Refedit

dialogue box will display. You can only edit theselected reference file. See Figure Step 25A.

Using normal commands, edit the drawing byextending, erasing and trimming lines until yourdrawing appears as shown in Figure Step 25C.Figure Step 25B shows the intermediate step inthe editing. When you drawing appear the sameas Figure Step 25C, click the Save Reference

Edits icon as shown in Figure Step 25D. Figure Step 25A

Figure Step 25D

Figure Step 25B Figure Step 25C

Step 25A If you are using AutoCAD LT, open the drawingAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.dwg in its own AutoCAD windowusing the OPEN command. Make the changes to the drawing as

shown in Step 25 and save and close the drawing. In the Figure Step 26External References window, reload it.

Step 26 Your

drawing should nowappear as Figure Step26.

Step 27 Enter the

XREF command. Inthe ExternalReference window,right click the drawingAutoCAD 2DWorkalong 33-1B. Inthe right-click menu,select bind. See Figure Step 27

Figure Step 27A. Inthe Binds Xref dialogue box, select Bindand then click OK. See Figure Step 27B.

33 - 11


Reference Files

Figure Step 27B



12/25



Step 28 Open the Properties window and then select the drawing as shown in Figure

Step 28. Note how it is now a block and not a reference file.

Figure Step 28

Step 29 Open theLayers dialogue boxand note thechanges to the layerfor the drawing thatwas bound. SeeFigure Step 29.

Figure Step 29

Step 30 Enter theXREF command andtake note that there isonly one drawing leftattached as areference file. SeeFigure Step 30A. Yourdrawing should appear

as shown in FigureStep 30B.

Step 31 Save and close the drawing.

Figure Step 30A

Figure Step 30B



13/25


Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2000 - 2006

For AutoCAD 2000-2006 users only. If you are using

AutoCAD 2007-2008, skip to page 33-23)

Step 1 Start a new drawing using the template Module Template B.

Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1.

Step 3 Using the PURGE command, purge allblocks in the drawing.

33 - 13

Figure Step 5

Step 4 Open the drawing AutoCAD

2D Lab 23-1 that you completed inModule 23. See FigureStep 4. Using the SAVEAS command,save the drawing with the nameAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.

Figure Step 4

Step 5 Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 27-1 that youcompleted in Module 27. See Figure Step 5. Using theSAVEAS command, save the drawing with the nameAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B.

Step 6 Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D

Lab 28-1 that you completed in Module28. See Figure Step 6. Using theSAVEAS command, save the drawingwith the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong33-1C.

Step 7 Create layer

Reference and set it asthe current layer. SeeFigure Step 7.

Step 8 Enter theXREF command. It willopen the Xref Managerdialogue box as shownin Figure Step 8.

Figure Step 6

Figure Step 7


Reference Files

Figure Step 8



14/25


Using the XREF and REFEDIT Commands 2000 - 2006 - Continued

Step 9 Click the Attach box as shown in Figure Step 9A. It will

open the Select Reference File dialogue box as shown in FigureStep 9B.

Figure Step 9B

Step 10 Pull down the Look in box andlocate the folder: C:\CAD Courses\AutoCAD2D\Lab Exercise See Figure Step 10A. When

the files display, select the drawing fileAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A that youcreated in Step 4. See figure Step 10B.

Figure Step 9A


Figure Step 10B

Figure Step 10A



15/25



Step 11 When the file is

selecting in Step 10, theExternal Reference dialogue

box will open. Ensure thatyour dialogue box matchesFigure Step 11A and thenclick OK. Using the graphiccursor, locate the drawingas shown in Figure Step11B. Locate it by eye tomatch the figure the bestthat you can. Its exactlocation is not important.

Figure Step 11A

Step 12 Enter the LAYERcommand and freeze the layers tomatch Figure Step 12A. Yourdrawing should now appear similarto Figure Step 12B.

33 - 15

Author's Comments:

The layers list in yourdrawing may notmatch exactly asshown. It depends onthe layers you created

in the original drawing.Do your best to freezethe layers so yourdrawing matchesFigure Step 12B.


Reference Files

Figure Step 11B

Figure Step 12A



16/25



Figure Step 12B

Step 13 Attach the

second reference fileAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. For this one, set thescale at 0.03937 as shownin Figure Step 13.

Author's Comments:

The reason 0.03937 wasused as a scale factor inthis drawing is that it wasdrawn in millimeters. Sincethere are 25.4 millimeters inan inch, 1 divided by 25.4equals 0.03937.

Figure Step 13

Step 14 Locate the second reference

file as shown in Figure Step 14. Locateit by eye as close as you can to matchthe figure.


Figure Step 14



17/25



Step 15 Enter the

LAYER commandand freeze the

layers to matchFigure Step 15A.Your drawing shouldnow appear similar

to Figure Step 15B.

Author's

Comments:

33 - 17

The layers list inyour drawing maynot match exactly as shown. Itdepends on the layers you created

in the original drawing. Do yourbest to freeze the layers so yourdrawing matches Figure Step 15B.

Step 16 Attach the third

reference file AutoCAD

2D Workalong 33-1C.Set the scale at 0.5 toinsert it half of it originalsize. See Figure Step16.

Figure Step 15A

Figure Step 15B

Figure Step 16

Step 17 Located the third reference file as shown inFigure Step 17. It can be located by eye.



Figure Step 17

Module 33


18/25



Step 18 Enter

the LAYERcommand and

freeze the layers tomatch Figure Step18A. Your drawing

should now appear

similar to FigureStep 18B

Author's

Comments:

The layers list inyour drawing maynot match exactly

as shown. Itdepends on the

Figure Step 18A

layers you created in the original drawing. Do your bestto freeze the layers so your drawing match Figure Step18B.

Step 19 Enter the XREF command. In the XrefManager dialogue box you should see the three referencedrawings you just attached to the drawing. Notice howthe Status is checked indicating you have the latestversion loaded. See Figure Step 19.

Figure Step 19



Figure Step 18B

Module 33


19/25



33 - 19

Step 20 Click the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B. It will highlight as shown in

Figure 20A. Click the Unload button. See Figure Step 20A. Note in Figure Step 20B thatthe Status shows the drawing unloaded and in Figure Step 20C the drawing does not

display.

Figure Step 20A

Figure Step 20B

Figure Step 20C

Figure Step 21A

Step 21 Highlight the drawing again. Click theReload button as shown in Figure Step 21A. Thedrawing will reload itself as shown in Figure Step21B.



Figure Step 21B

Module 33


20/25



Step 22 Click the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1C. It will highlight as shown in

Figure 22A. Click the Detach button and the reference drawing will no display as shown inFigure Step 22B.

Figure Step 22A

Author's Comments:

When a reference file is unloaded, it still remains as aattached file but will not display on the current drawing.When a reference file is detached, it is totally removedfrom the current drawing.

Figure Step 22B

Step 23 Using the MOVE command, move the

reference drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1B asshown in Figure Step 23. You can locate it by eye.

Figure Step 23

Note:

AutoCAD LT does not have a

REFEDIT command. If you are

using AutoCAD LT skip to Step

25A.

Step 24 Enter the REFEDIT

command and when prompted,select reference drawing AutoCAD2D workalong 33-1A. This will openthe Reference Edit dialogue box asshown in Figure Step 24. Set it to

Figure Step 24


match Figure Step 24 and click OK.



21/25



Step 25 You are now in edit mode. The Refedit

dialogue box will display. You can only edit theselected reference file. See Figure Step 25A.

Using normal commands, edit the drawing file byextending, erasing and trimming lines until yourdrawing appears as shown in Figure Step 25C.Figure Step 25B shows the intermediate step inthe editing. When you drawing appear the sameas Figure Step 25C, click the Save Reference

33 - 21

Edits icon as shown in Figure Step 25D.

Figure Step 25B Figure Step 25C

Figure Step 25A

Figure Step 25D

Step 25A If you are using AutoCAD LT, open the drawingAutoCAD 2D Workalong 33-1A.dwg in its own AutoCAD windowusing the OPEN command. Make the changes to the drawing asshown in Step 25 and save and close the drawing. Enter theXREF command and reload it..

Step 26 Your drawing should now appear as Figure Step 26.

Figure Step 27A

Step 27 Enter the XREF command. In the XrefManager, highlight drawing AutoCAD 2DWorkalong 33-1B and then click Bind as shownin Figure Step 27A. In the Bind Xref dialoguebox, click Bind. See Figure Step 27B.

Figure Step 26


Reference Files

Figure Step 27B



22/25



Step 28 Open the Properties window and the select the drawing as shown in Figure Step

28. Note how it is now a block and not a reference file.

Figure Step 28

Step 29 Open theLayers dialogue boxand note thechanges to the layernames for thedrawing that you justbound. See FigureStep 29.

Figure Step 29

Figure Step 30

Step 30 Enter the XREF command and take note that there is

only one drawing left attached as a reference file. See FigureStep 30A. Your drawing should appear as shown in Figure Step30B.

Step 31 Save and close the drawing.

Figure Step 30B



23/25


Another feature that is hidden away in the

bottom right corner of status bar is a smalltriangle that when clicked allows you tocustomize the status bar.

The pop-open menu opens and allows you to select which

features to display on your status bar. In the example on theright, everything is displayed, which is the best way to workat this time. After you become more experienced working inAutoCAD, you can select the item you want to enable. Thereis a slight difference between the versions of AutoCAD.

If you click the Tray Settings... the Tray

Settings dialogue box opens. In this box,you can choose to display or disable thedisplay of the service icons. It also allowsyou to select if you want to be notified byservices and to configure their display. Theservices will be covered in AutoCADCustomization Modules.

Note: These features are only available

in 2004 - 2008. AutoCAD LT does not have the Otrack option.

33 - 23

To completely remove a reference file from the current drawing, you must

detach it using the XREF command. Erasing a reference file does notremove it completely from the drawing. All the named objects definitionsassociated with an erased xref remain. Using the Detach option removesthe selected xref and all associated information.

The Key Principles in Module 33

1. An external reference file is a drawing file linked to the current drawing. It acts as one

object similar to a block and appears to be part of the active drawing.2. A reference file can be bound to the drawing it is attached to with the XREF command.

When a reference drawing is bound to the drawing, the XREF command converts it intoa block.

3. To completely remove a reference file from the current drawing, you must detach it using

the XREF command.



24/25


Lab Exercise 33-1

Drawing Specifications

Time Allowed: 30 Min.

Name

AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1

Template

Module Template D

Units

Inches

Text Style

N/A

Font

N/A

Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all ByLayer unless otherwise instructed.

Layering Scheme

Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight

Reference Files

Instructions:

Reference White/Black Continuous N/A

1. Draw two lines to divide the drawing into four equal parts as shown below. Place the lines on layerTitleblock.

2. Open the drawings on the left and using the SAVEAS command, save them with the name on theright.a) AutoCAD 2D Lab 22-1 saveas AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1A

b) AutoCAD 2D Lab 23-1 saveas AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1Bc) AutoCAD 2D Lab 24-1 saveas AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1Cd) AutoCAD 2D Lab 25-1 saveas AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1D

3. Complete the following: In all cases have the reference f ile reside on the layer Reference and retainthe path.In box A Attach the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1A - Scale 1In box B Attach the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1B - Scale 2In box C Attach the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1C - Scale 0.05In box D Attach the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1D -

(You will have to calculate the scale on this one yourself. Keep in mind it is drawn in millimeters.)4. After you insert the xrefs, freeze the layers of the objects you do not want to display until they match

the drawing below.

Completed Drawing



25/25

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-14 33 - 25

Lab Exercise 33-2

Drawing Specifications

Time Allowed: 30 Min.

Name

AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-2

Template

Module Template D

Units

Inches

Text Style

N/A

Font

N/A

Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all ByLayer unless otherwise instructed.

Layering Scheme

Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype

Instructions:

1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1 and save it as AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-2.2. Using the REFEDIT command, edit the

drawing in quadrant A as shown below.

Note: AutoCAD LT users, open the drawingthat is xrefed in edit and save it.Reload it using the XREF command.

Lineweight

3. Bind the reference file in quadrant B. Do not use the Insert option. After it is bound, edit all of the

names of the layers that were part of the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 33-1B. For example:

AutoCAD 2D Lab - 33-1B|Object to Object 33-1B

4. Bind the reference file in quadrant C. Use the Insert option.

5. Detach the reference in quadrant D.

Completed Drawing

Reference Files The CAD Guys Ltd Copyright 1993 - 2007 Module 33

autocad 2d module 33 pdf

Documents