AutoCAD XREF Tips & Settings: Overlay vs Attach + More! - External References | 2 Minute Tuesday

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Brandon here back with another new video!

In today's video we are taking a look at xrefs or external references in AutoCAD and how to properly set them up when inserting into drawings.

Oh and let me know what autocad tip, trick or tutorial you'd like to see in the next one down below!

Cheers and thanks for watching

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[SilverSibeMetals]

Thanks for the easy to understand guide on the different options for XREF.

[SinCityo]

This helps a lot, I am a structural draftsman and designing an additional extension to a previous plan using xref works beautifully.

[kevinrush]

I would rate this video as Basic intro to XREF.

[dalskiBo]

CAD Intentions - awesome name - thanks for vids

[mdabunayeem]

Xref Attachment:
Example: Imagine you have a base plan (Drawing A) with an attached Xref for plumbing (Drawing B). Drawing B itself might reference another Xref for valves (Drawing C). If you then Xref Drawing A into a new project drawing (Drawing D), both the base plan and the plumbing (including the valves) will be included.
Xref Overlay:
Example: Using the same scenario, if you overlay Drawing B (plumbing) into Drawing A (base plan), only the plumbing elements from Drawing B will be visible. The valves referenced within Drawing B won't be included in the final display of Drawing A.

[seanbrown]

Hi Brandon, great video! Aside from the nesting difference, is there a practical difference between overlay and attach? The documentation says overlaid XREF's work "without changing your drawing by attaching an xref." In what way does attach change your drawing that overlay doesn't? My main concern is performance and drawings getting bogged down. If attach tends to slow drawings down more than overlay, I might opt to overlay even where nesting makes sense just for the performance gain.

I hope my question makes sense. I've tried searching for answers to this question but everything on the topic of attach vs overlay is just about the nesting/non-nesting difference.

[AF-tdjf]

I work as a Fire AlarmCAD operator. Definitely would like to sign up for your classes. Would i be able to reach out to you if i had any inquiries if any kind? Also do work or have any Videos with Autolisp?

[juliesmith]

Well, the overlay option is exactly what i need to do. 🙂 what layer do you put the xref on, and, how do you make the box around the xref disappear?

[solarwinds-]

Hi Brandon, We work in a server environment & work on our drawings off of a server. I don't know what you mean by a circular reference, so when you explain why one should use an overlay instead of attachment, I dont understand the concept. We always use attachment so that if the reference gets changed, it will change in the whole set of drawings which can be as many as 100 or 200 sheets.

[caddood]

I work at a mech duct shop as a detailer. I received a binded (xref attached) dwg where the arch background glows brightly anytime I hover over it. It is real distracting and I need to make it not highlight (glow) when I work over it. How do I do that?

[lesliegolden]

brandon my polyline grips dont go where I want them to as I adjust them - the entire polyline contorts radically do you you have any 1 to 1 services. willing to pay Thanks

[EXA]

Hi there... how do I manage that Dimentions that I took from an XRef keep unchanged once I update the XRef? Actually I loose most of them on the update :(

[javierlozano]

Hi Brandon, thanks for your video. This is Javier from Colombia (South America). I'm an engineer, not an architect, but I draw in autocad plans that involve both, electrical (light fixtures, outlets, etc) plus some civil stuff (walls, doors, windows) and some times appliances (AC units, microwaves, dishwashers) and even furniture ; plans that are mainly for our technicians to understand better the electrical work to do. However, my plans look sometimes messy because I have not proper rules to use lines' thickness, transparency and even the right colors. When I compare my plans to plans done by architects, those look so different !! They use the right thicknesses, colors, hatches, transparencies, etc. Question : ¿ where I can find tips to make my plans better ?

[d.c.broadstone]

Good video. How do I update changes to the exref?

[GerryJ]

Hi Brandon. So when I need to send my floor plans to the electrical, mechanical and structural engineers, is it best to bind the drawings? send the drawings along with the xref's or send the dwg floor plans as I have been doing? Thanks again for a great time saving tutorial.
Cheers. Gerry J.

[d.c.broadstone]

Where is the layer management for exrefs? So I can turn of everything but the floor plan.

[shafivazhayil]

Hi brandon, When i attach file. it will move far away. What is reason?

[ferlyneaclan]

Hi! I am using templates for our layouts but we usually edit the details manually. How can I lessen the manual editing like for date and time?

[peanutbutter]

Can you do a video on how to evenly space and align objects? I am sketching the elevation on a main girder with symmetrical detail.

[efratademssie]

How to minimise line when it is out of border