Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
IMPORTING BLOCKS, LAYERS, AND OTHER NAMED ELEMENTS FROM EXTERNAL FILES
You can use the Xbind command to import blocks and other named elements from another file.
First, use the Reference Manager palette to cross-reference a file; then type
xBIND
at the Command
prompt. In the Bind External Definitions dialog box, click the disclosure triangle next to the Xref
filename and select the Block option. Locate the name of the block you want to import, click the
Add button, and click OK.
Finally, in the Reference Manager palette, select the Xref filename from the list, and click the Detach
Referenced File button along the top of the palette. You can also right-click and select Detach to
remove the Xref file. The imported block remains as part of the current file. (See Chapter 14 for
details on importing named elements.)
The Content palette gives you access to your frequently used blocks. You can open the Content
palette by choosing Tools
Palettes
Content from the menu bar or by pressing F-2.
Other External Reference Options
Many other features are unique to external reference files. Let's briefly look at the other options
in the External References palette and the Attach External Reference dialog box.
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P T I O N S
I N
T H E
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E F E R E N C E
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A N A G E R
P
A L E T T E
The tools located at the top of the Reference Manager palette offer some options for Xrefs, as
shown in Figure 7.17.
FIGURE 7.17
The tools on the
Reference Manager
palette
Attach Reference
Toggle References State
Detach Referenced File
Show Details
Relink File
Refresh Content
Attach Reference
Opens the Select Reference File dialog box.
Toggle References State
Toggles the Xref between loaded and unloaded.
Detach Referenced File
Removes the Xref file from the drawing.
Refresh Content
Reloads all Xrefs in the drawing.
Relink File
Allows another Xref file to be loaded in place of the present one, or loads an
Xref file that has lost its linked state.
Show Details
Displays or hides the Details panel located below the list of referenced files.
Several options are also available when you right-click an external reference name listed in
the Reference Manager palette, shown in Figure 7.15 earlier in this chapter. Some of them are
duplicated with the row of buttons shown in Figure 7.17. You saw the Reload and Relink File
options in earlier exercises. The following other options are available:
