2012

Attach Drawing References (Xrefs)
You can insert any drawing file as an external reference or xref in the current
drawing.
When you attach a drawing file as an xref, you link that referenced drawing
to the current drawing. Any changes to the referenced drawing are displayed
in the current drawing when it is opened or reloaded.
A drawing file can be attached as an xref to multiple drawings at the same
time. Conversely, multiple drawings can be attached as referenced drawings
to a single drawing.
Tools for Attaching Xrefs
You can use several methods to attach an xref:
■ Click View tab ➤ Palettes panel ➤ External References Palette.
■ At the Command prompt, enter externalreferences
■ At the Command prompt, enter xattach.
You can also use DesignCenter
™
to attach xrefs to a drawing. Use DesignCenter
for simple attachments, previewing drawing references and their descriptions,
and quick placement by dragging.
You can attach an xref by dragging it from DesignCenter or by clicking Attach
as Xref on the shortcut menu.
The saved path used to locate the xref can be a full path, a relative (partially
specified) path, or no path.
If an xref contains any variable block attributes, they are ignored.
NOTE When using the External References palette, it is recommended that you
turn on the Auto-hide feature or anchor the palette. The palette will then hide
automatically when you specify the insertion point of the external reference.
Receive Notification of Attached Xrefs
An xref icon is displayed in the lower-right corner of the application window
(the status bar tray) when xrefs are attached to the drawing.
1282 | Chapter 32 Reference Other Drawing Files