How to Make Xref in AutoCAD 2014?

Understanding Xrefs in AutoCAD

Xrefs, or external references, play a crucial role in managing complex AutoCAD projects. They enable users to link multiple drawings, keeping file sizes manageable and enhancing collaboration. This guide outlines a detailed, step-by-step approach to creating and managing xrefs in AutoCAD 2025.

Creating an Xref in AutoCAD

1. Access the Insert Tab: Open your drawing in AutoCAD, then navigate to the Insert tab located at the top of the workspace.

2. Select the Reference Panel: Look for the Reference panel within the Insert tab and click on Attach. A dialog box will appear for selection.

3. Choose the Reference File: In the Select Reference File dialog, locate the desired drawing file(s) you want to reference. You can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking. Once selected, click Open.

4. Configure the Attachment Settings: The Attach External Reference dialog will display. Here, ensure you set the Reference Type to Attachment. This allows the selected files to be linked permanently.

5. Set Insertion Parameters: Specify the insertion point where the xref will appear in your drawing, alongside the scale and rotation angle according to your project requirements. Appropriately setting these parameters ensures precision in your layout.

6. Finalize the Attachment: Click OK to confirm the settings and attach the xref to your drawing.

Binding an Xref

To convert an xref into a permanent part of your drawing, follow these steps:

1. Open the External References Palette: Navigate to the Insert tab and click on the Dialog box launcher within the Reference panel. This opens the External References palette.

2. Select the Xref: In the palette, find and click on the xref that you wish to bind.

3. Right-Click and Bind: Right-click on the selected xref and choose the Bind option from the context menu.

4. Choose Bind Options: In the Bind Xrefs dialog box, decide whether to select Bind or Insert. Binding will create a block reference, while inserting merges the xref with the current drawing without prefixes.

5. Confirm and Close: After you’ve made your selection, click OK to finalize and close the dialog boxes.

Detaching an Xref

If you need to remove an xref from your drawing, here’s how to do it:

1. Access the External References Palette: Go to the View tab, locate the Palettes panel, and select External References.

2. Select the Relevant Xref: In the External References palette, find the xref you wish to detach. Click to highlight it.

3. Right-Click to Detach: Right-click the selected xref and choose Detach from the dropdown menu. This will remove the link to the external file from your drawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I bind an image in AutoCAD?
   Currently, AutoCAD does not support binding images as xrefs. Binding is specifically designed for DWG files.

2. What happens if I try to edit a bound xref?
   Once an xref is bound, it behaves like a block, meaning you can modify its properties and manage it using block commands. However, changes to the original file will not affect the bound version.

3. Why do my blocks disappear when creating them?
   This occurs because the objects are removed from the drawing area during block creation. To recover them while keeping the block definition, you can use the OOPS command, which restores the selected objects.