How to Hide Xref in AutoCAD?

Understanding Xrefs in AutoCAD

Xrefs, or external references, are powerful tools within AutoCAD that allow users to link other drawings, images, or PDF files into their current project. This functionality helps in maintaining efficiency and organization, ensuring that multiple users can collaborate on a single project without duplicating effort. However, there might be times when hiding these xrefs becomes necessary to focus on other design components.

Steps to Hide Xrefs in AutoCAD

1. Utilize Layer Management

• Open the Layer Properties Manager: Type LAYER in the command line and hit Enter. This opens the Layer Properties Manager where you can manage all the layers in your drawing.
• Locate Xref Layers: Select the filter option and set it to display only xref layers. This helps in quickly identifying the layers associated with your external references.
• Turn Off the Layers: Find the layers linked to the xrefs that you want to hide. You can simply click on the light bulb icon next to each layer to turn them off. This will make the xref invisible in the working environment without deleting it.

2. Adjusting the Xref Display Settings

• Access the External References Palette: To bring up the External References palette, type XREF at the command line and press Enter.
• Modify the Display Options: Right-click on the xref you wish to hide and look for options like ‘Fade’ or ‘Unload’. Fading allows the xref to remain in the drawing but less visible, while unloading removes it from the display entirely. This does not affect the original xref file; it can be reloaded at any time.

3. Using the Visibility Settings

• System Variables: Ensure that the VISRETAIN system variable is set correctly. Setting it to ‘1’ maintains the layer properties of xrefs between sessions. Adjusting this can help if you notice visibility issues.
• Viewport Control: If you are working with layouts, consider adjusting the viewport settings. You can freeze the xref layers in specific viewports to hide them while keeping them visible in others.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If xrefs still appear despite following the above steps, verify the following:

• Check for Overrides: Occasionally, visible properties may be overridden. Access the Layer Properties Manager again and confirm that there are no unwanted overrides in effect.
• Refreshing the Drawing: Sometimes a simple refresh will fix visibility issues. Use the REGEN command to regenerate the drawing, which can resolve display inconsistencies with xrefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I completely remove an xref from my drawing?
Yes, you can detach an xref entirely using the External References palette. Simply right-click on the xref and select ‘Detach’ to remove it from the current drawing.

2. What happens to xrefs if I save the drawing?
When you save your drawing, any changes made to xrefs, like visibility settings and layer colors, are preserved for future sessions, provided you have set the proper system variables.

3. Is there a way to view hidden xrefs?
Yes, by using the Layer Properties Manager, you can easily turn back on any hidden xref layers to make them visible again.