Command Line issues - "The object is an external reference"

[MichaelAllfire]

Hi all,

 

When using certain commands, my command line repeatedly displays "The object is an external reference" when mousing over an external reference.

 

For example, if I use the Line command, and go to snap over part an external reference, the command line will display "The object is an external reference" when I mouse over any part of the reference, quickly filling up my command line box. This is particularly painful if I have just used the distance command, and am using the info straight out of the command line box.

 

I have looked for xref commands that might be to blame, but have had no luck. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Dadgad]

What visual style are you using?

Are you working in an Ortho perspective?

 

Try using 2D Wireframe visual style, if you are not already.

Perhaps you might want to try using Dynamic Input, there are a number of available options as to how information is displayed.

[MichaelAllfire]

Hi Dadgad,

 

Currently using 2d wireframe style already. It only started happening this morning when I loaded up a drawing, not sure if I accidentally turned on a setting or what.

 

Turning Dynamic Input off results in the same issue, no change.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Dadgad]

If it just started today, have you tried rebooting?

Have you experienced the problem with other drawings, or just the one?

 

 

If you have already rebooted, and no help, might you have an .svf (system variable file) saved against just such an eventuality?

If you don't, you should have one, as a safety for future use.

[MichaelAllfire]

The issue is across multiple drawings, and yeah, reboot didn't do anything to fix it, so my assumption sits on a particular setting.

 

I'm not familiar with svf files, so I'll look into that for the future. Cheers for your assistance anyway!

[Dadgad]

If you run the SYSVDLG command, you will see the option to SAVE ALL at the bottom of the dialog box.

That will create a .SVF file which will comprise of all of the system variable settings at the moment you create it.

Name it appropriately, and store it where you will be able to find it.

In the future you can very easily restore all of your personalized system variable settings, with no muss nor fuss.

In order to restore all DEFAULT Autocad system variable settings, one can use the READ button in the bottom of that same dialog box.

 

Don't use that one, if you have personalized your variable settings.

You can use that personalized .svf file later to share your settings with a coworker or team, or install those settings on another machine.

Edited August 17, 2017 by Dadgad

[Dadgad]

What is your GRIPBLOCK setting?

If it is , set it to .

Probably not your problem, but worth checking.

[jagwinn]

I was wondering if this issue were solved?

[PBergerTKG]

I was having the same issue that the original poster asked about and I believe it is related to the Dynamics UCS setting/system variable.

 

Hovering over the icon in question, I get a pop-up display with two lines the first line listing "Snap UCS to active solids plane - On" and the second line listing "Dynamics UCS - UCSDETECT (F6)". After changing the setting to "Off" I no longer see the line "The object is an external reference" appear in the command line.

 

If you use the function keys on your keyboard to turn settings on and off like I do, you may have just accidentally hit F6 and turned this setting on. Hope this solves your problem.

[blakeMEP]

PBergerTKG

 

YOU SOLVED IT WITH "UCSDETECT"!  Set it to "0" and all is fixed.  Thank you!

[VictoriaP]

On 6/10/2020 at 2:38 PM, blakeMEP said:

PBergerTKG

 

YOU SOLVED IT WITH "UCSDETECT"!  Set it to "0" and all is fixed.  Thank you!

Quote

Thank you!! it worked!

 

[Wanovic]

On 2/14/2018 at 10:51 PM, PBergerTKG said:

I was having the same issue that the original poster asked about and I believe it is related to the Dynamics UCS setting/system variable.

 

Hovering over the icon in question, I get a pop-up display with two lines the first line listing "Snap UCS to active solids plane - On" and the second line listing "Dynamics UCS - UCSDETECT (F6)". After changing the setting to "Off" I no longer see the line "The object is an external reference" appear in the command line.

 

If you use the function keys on your keyboard to turn settings on and off like I do, you may have just accidentally hit F6 and turned this setting on. Hope this solves your problem.

Thanks for the helpful advice