How do I go about creating file links?

[Giovannino60]

I made a file with a model space and some loyouts, the file became very cluttered and slowed down. They told me that it is possible to make one file of the model only and connect all the logouts in another file to lighten everything. How do I go about creating file links?
Thank you

[BIGAL]

You could use Xref in a layout. 

[Giovannino60]

I'm not very experienced, can you describe the various steps and buttons to click to use the xerif? Thank you

[SLW210]

Insert>DWG Reference 

 

AutoCAD 2023 Help | -XREF (Command) | Autodesk

 

Xref in AutoCAD: What Is It & How Do I Use One? | All3DP

 

Lots of articles and videos around on this topic.

[Giovannino60]

I do not understand

[BIGAL]

A Xref links another dwg into your current dwg, you can change the Xref dwg and update your master dwg.

[Giovannino60]

I want to enter this layout and when I open a window I want to see another dwg file and not the same file.

[BIGAL]

So for

step 1 as a trial xref a random dwg into you current dwg. Put it to right side of an existing dwg. 

step 2 go to say a blank layout make a new MVIEW on the side of an existing mview a little box, go into mview and zoom E,  pan and zoom to xref so it fits the mview.

step3 move the little mview over the top of your big mview

If I have got this right you now have 2 dwgs displayed in seperate mviews but in one layout. 

 

Yes I skipped automating it and setting MV scales etc but you need to understand how to do manually.

 

Edited April 8, 2023 by BIGAL

[Giovannino60]

I don't understand how do you open a viewport rectangle in layout space in the same layout. If I open a window rectangle in the layout do I see the model? Thank you

[BIGAL]

Do Mview make a window click inside set desired view , then to the right do Mview again small window, click inside window and set desired view, move small window over big window, all done.

 

LOOK AT ZOOM E each time you go inside a Mview window.

[Giovannino60]

I did not understand.
I went into layout I opened a window. I inserted a drawing with Xerif. I don't see the drawing inserted with xerif in the window?

[BIGAL]

We seem to be going in circles do you understand how the mview command works ?

 

You go to model space and do xref put it somewhere. 

 

Go to a layout be in paper space type pspace, then do mview make a viewport, double click to go into that viewport, then type ZOOM E, you will see the xref. Yes you need to set to correct scale or zoom in on xref. Type pspace, to go back out.

 

If you do not understand you need to get some one to show you how. Or look for youtube's re using layouts.

Edited April 10, 2023 by BIGAL

[Giovannino60]

The Xerif I have to insert in the Model space and not in the paper space that is in the layout, otherwise in the Window I do not see the drawing?

[BIGAL]

I am sorry but not often I give up you need to talk to someone not here, do you know some one who uses CAD get in touch with them and have a one on one session, use ZOOM, Ms Teams and so on. You are struggling and it may be a language problem.

 

This is 4 seperate dwg's as xref's in one layout. All dwg's saved in Model, then viewed in layout.

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by BIGAL

[Steven P]

Starting with the basics, the advice above is good.

 

An XREF is a reference or a link to another CAD file and that file is displayed in your current drawing. You cannot edit the XREF details from your current drawing but have to open the original file. These are great for example as backgrounds, mapping, building layouts and so on where each discipline can add their own details.

 

Go to the tab where you want to insert the xref (I say 'insert', but of course you are only inserting the link to the file)

 

Use the command 'xref' in the command line (for AutoCAD, other programmes might have different commands) and this will bring up the following dialogue:

 

 

 

The drop downs at the top are the controls you want to use. The right hand button '?' is awesome......

 

To insert an xref you want to select the left hand drop down to get this:

 

 

and now you can select one to attach the file type you want - follow the prompts to select your chosen file and then you should get this:

 

 

Here the thing you want is select Insertion Point, and generally "Specify On-Screen" to click what to use, though you might have an origin for the drawing in which case you can also enter an insertion point. Click OK and you should see your screen with a thumbnail, small version of your drawing at the mouse pointer, right click to insert it where you want.

 

Your xref pallet will now show the file you inserted, in my example C&I interface:

 

 

 

Have a go at this and try a few test drawings adding in xrefs, or several xrefs to each.

 

Each XREF can be seen as a CAD object, like a block, it can be moved about, appear in viewports and so on, all the layers in the xref will appear in your layer list - generally with the layer name suffixed with the file name, you can operate these like any layer (turn on and off, freeze and so on)

 

have a go and then go through this post again and the comments above will make more sense.