Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
The fact that the xrefed drawing is a separate file is a potential source of prob-
lems when you send your drawing to someone else; that someone else needs
all
the files that your drawing depends on, or it will be useless. Make sure to include
xrefed files in the package with your drawing. See Chapter 20 for a procedure.
Both AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 include an additional xref feature called
xref
clipping:
You can clip any kind of externally referenced file or block insertion so only
part of it appears in the host drawing. Use the CLIP command to trim away unwanted
parts of xref drawings, DWF and DWFx files, raster images, MicroStation DGN files or
PDFs. You can even clip block insertions. For more information, look up CLIP in the on-
line help's Command Reference section.
Blocks, Xrefs, and Drawing Organization
Blocks and xrefs are useful for organizing sets of drawings to use and update repeated
elements. It's not always clear, though, when to use blocks and when to use xrefs. Ap-
plications for xrefs include
The parts of a title block that are the same on all sheets in a project.
Reference elements that must appear in multiple drawings (for example, wall out-
lines, site topography, column grids).
Assemblies that are repeated in one or more drawings, especially if the assemblies
are likely to change together (for example, repeated framing assemblies, bathroom
layouts, and modular furniture layouts).
Pasting up several drawings (for example, details or a couple of plans) onto one
plot sheet.
Temporarily attaching a background drawing for reference or tracing.
On the other hand, blocks remain useful in simpler circumstances. Situations in which
you might stick with a block are
Components that aren't likely to change.
Small components.
