2004

686 | Chapter 23 Reference Other Drawing Files (Xrefs)
Specify a Relative Path
Relative paths are partially specified folder paths that assume the current
drive letter or the folder of the host drawing. This is the most flexible option,
and enables you to move a set of drawings from your current drive to a
different drive that uses the same folder structure.
If the drawing file that is being referenced is located on a different local hard
drive or on a network server, the relative path option is not available.
The conventions for specifying a relative folder path are as follows:
\ Look in the root folder of the host drawing’s drive
path From the folder of the host drawing, follow the
specified path
\path From the root folder, follow the specified path
.\path From the folder of the host drawing, follow the
specified path
..\path From the folder of the host drawing, move up one
folder level and follow the specified path
..\..\path From the folder of the host drawing, move up two
folder levels and follow the specified path
Note If a drawing that contains xrefs is moved or saved to a different path, to
a different local hard drive, or to a different network server, you must edit any
relative paths to accommodate the host drawing’s new location or you must
relocate the referenced files.
Specify No Path
When no path information is saved with the attached external reference, the
following search is initiated in the order shown:
■ Current folder of the host drawing
■ Project search paths defined on the Files tab in the Options dialog box
and in the
PROJECTNAME system variable
■ Support search paths defined on the Files tab in the Options dialog box
■ Start In folder specified in the Windows application shortcut
Specifying the No Path option is useful when moving a set of drawings to a
different folder hierarchy or to an unknown folder hierarchy.