Blocks

When you insert a block, you are creating a reference to a block definition that exists entirely inside the drawing file. When you insert an external drawing file with the INSERT command, AutoCAD converts the external drawing file into an internal block definition. Changes to the original drawing file are not reflected in the drawings containing the inserted blocks.

Xrefs

When you attach an xref, you are directly referencing an external drawing file. Whenever changes are made to the external drawing file, all the references to that drawing are updated as well. Because xrefs point to external drawings, the location of the drawing file (the file path) is important.

Nested Xrefs

Any drawing can be attached as an xref to another xref, a concept known as nesting. To view nested xrefs, select the Tree View button on the File References pane of the External References palette.

It is possible to place a drawing that contains an xref as an xref. For example, say you have a drawing called MASTER that contains a reference to drawing A, and drawing A contains a reference to drawing B (see Figure 17-4). In this example, drawing B is referred to as a nested xref.

Xref nesting can lead to some interesting or unexpected results. In the preceding example, when you reference drawing A, drawing B comes along as a nested xref. However, drawing B could also contain an xref (drawing C), and drawing C might also contain an xref, and the nesting could go on and on. You can also create circular xrefs where drawings reference one another. For example, drawing A could reference drawing B, and drawing B could reference drawing A.

If AutoCAD detects circular xrefs, it will display a warning that circular references are detected (see Figure 17-5) and ask whether you want to continue. If you choose Yes, AutoCAD will break the circular reference and proceed with loading the xref.

Attachment Versus Overlay

When you attach an xref, you can tell AutoCAD how you want that xref to behave when referenced in other drawings. The Attachment option tells AutoCAD to load this drawing and any nested xrefs. The Overlay option tells AutoCAD to ignore any nested xrefs and load only the top-level drawing.

The Attachment and Overlay options control only how nested xrefs behave when the drawing is referenced in another drawing.

Setting the Path Type

When AutoCAD loads an xref, it must locate the drawing on your computer or network. The file path is the location of the drawing file on your system. It includes the drive letter or server name along with the list of folders and subfolders where the drawing file is located.

When you create an xref, you can tell AutoCAD how you want to store the path to the drawing file. You have the option of saving the Full path, Relative path, or No path.:

• Full path If the Path type is set to Full path, AutoCAD stores the entire path, including the local hard drive name or the network location and the entire list of folders and subfolders where the drawing is located. For example, C:DesignProjects8013arch describes the full path to a drawing file. In this example, the xref is located on the local C: drive, in the DesignProjects8013arch folder.

• Relative path Using the Relative path option, AutoCAD automatically updates the xref path to assume the current path of the master, or host, drawing so that drive letters and network server names are not a factor as long as the subfolder structure stays the same. AutoCAD replaces the period (.) in the relative path with the path to the master drawing file. For example, if the relative path is set to .Xrefs, the referenced drawings can be located at C:DesignProjects8013Xrefs on one computer or at the network location N:ConsultantsAEC ArchitectsProjects8013Xrefs on another computer. The only requirement is that the master drawing be located in the 8013 folder on both computers so that the subfolder structure is the same.

• No path Using No path, AutoCAD will store only the xref drawing name and no path information. When AutoCAD opens the drawing, it will look for the xref in the current drawing folder. If it doesn’t find the xref there, it will then search the folders defined in the AutoCAD Support File Search Path. The Support File Search Path is defined in the Files tab of the Options dialog box. If it still doesn’t find the xref, it will display a note at the command line that the xref cannot be found.

If your drawing files remain at a single location and are never moved or sent to another site, the drawing file paths will remain the same every time you load a drawing file. However, if you send your drawings to others (to a contractor, client, manufacturer, etc.), you need to consider how your drawings will be loaded at these remote sites. Using the Relative path or No path option will make it easier for others to locate the xref drawings.

The REFPATHTYPE variable allows you to controls the default pathing type (0=No path,1=Relative,2=Full)

Insertion Point, Scale, and Rotation

Once you set the reference type and the path type, the rest of the attachment process is identical to inserting a block. The Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation options work exactly like those in the INSERT command. You can specify these values in the dialog box or by selecting them in the drawing.

Changing Xref Layers

The initial state of the xref layers will be the state in which the source drawing was saved. A layer that was frozen in a drawing will initially appear frozen when that drawing is referenced. You can make changes to xref layers, but there are some limitations on what you can do. You cannot set an xref layer as the current layer, and you cannot rename xref layers. However, you can change the color, linetype, lineweight, and visibility of xref layers. This allows you to change how xref layers are displayed and plotted within your drawing.

When you make changes to xref layer settings, AutoCAD will retain any changes to the layer settings the next time the drawing is loaded.

The xref, itself, is inserted on the current layer, so, it is possible to control its visibility, independently. The XREFLAYER variable allows to specify a default xref layer.

Exercise 17-2 Xref Layers

Continue from Exercise 17-1.

Start the LAYER command. AutoCAD displays the Layer Properties Manager palette.

Expand the Xref tree in the filters on the left side of the palette. You’ll see the loaded xrefs listed in the tree. Choose the Wall Base xref to show only the layers in that xref.

Freeze all the layers that start with Wall Base|1_. Thaw all the Wall Base|2_ layers. Freeze all the Wall Base|2_Arch_Reflected_ Ceiling_Plan_ layers. This isolates the second-floor layers for this building. Choose OK to close the Layer Properties Manager palette.

Save the drawing. Your drawing should resemble Figure 17-9.

The Right-Click Menu

As mentioned, most of the xref options and settings are provided via a shortcut menu that is displayed when you right-click on an xref in the File References pane as shown in Figure 17-12.

Open. The Open menu item will open the selected referenced drawing(s) in a new drawing window. When you select Open, AutoCAD changes the status of the drawing(s) to Opened in the External References palette. This is the same as choosing Open from the File pull-down menu and opening the referenced file directly. The advantage of using Open from the File References pane is that AutoCAD will locate the drawing and open it automatically. It also allows you to open multiple drawings at the same time.

Attach.… The Attach… menu item will display the corresponding attach-type dialog box for the currently selected file type so you can attach another reference file of the same type. This option is unavailable when more than one file is selected.

Unload. The Unload menu item will remove the selected xref(s) from the drawing screen but will retain the reference within the drawing. The xref layers are still retained but the drawing is not displayed.

Reload. The Reload menu item reloads xref(s) in the current drawing. When you reload an xref, AutoCAD reopens the drawing from the location specified in the path. Reloading is necessary when changes are made to an xref while the current drawing is open. The Reload menu item also allows you to reload any unloaded xrefs. Once you reload an xref, the Status column changes to Reloaded. If you have an xref loaded into your drawing and changes are made to the source of the xref, AutoCAD will display a notification balloon (see Figure 17-13) telling you that changes have been made and that reloading is necessary. AutoCAD will also change the status in the File References pane to note that reloading is necessary (see Figure 17-14).

Detach. The Detach menu item will remove attached xref(s). This completely removes the xref and any nested xrefs from your drawing. All xref layer information is also removed from your drawing.

Bind.… The Bind… menu item converts an externally referenced drawing to an AutoCAD block in the master drawing. When you bind an xref, the xref becomes a permanent part of the current drawing, and any link to the referenced file is broken. The file is removed from the File References pane, and changes made to the original referenced drawing will not be updated. When you bind an xref, you have some options for how to deal with layer names. When you choose the Bind… menu item, AutoCAD displays the Bind Xrefs/DGN underlays dialog box (see Figure 17-15), which allows you to control how the xrefs are bound.

The Bind Option. The Bind option binds the selected xref to the current drawing. Xref layers are converted from the format xref|layer to the format xref%n% layer, where the number n is assigned automatically. This allows xref-dependent layers to retain their unique identity.

For example, if you have an xref named FLOOR1 containing a layer named WALL, this layer would appear as FLOOR1|WALL while the drawing is an xref. Once you bind the xref using the Bind option, the layer name is converted to FLOOR1$0$WALL. If the layer FLOOR1$0$WALL already existed, the layer FLOOR1|WALL would be converted to FLOOR1$1$WALL.

The Insert Option. The Insert option binds the xref to the current drawing in a way similar to detaching and inserting the reference drawing as a regular block. Rather than renaming xref layers, the layers are stripped of their xref name and no numbering occurs. If a layer already exists, the layers are simply merged into a single layer, and the layer retains the properties of the existing layer.

For example, if you have an xref named FLOOR1 containing a layer named WALL, after binding it with the Insert option, the xref-dependent layer FLOOR1|WALL becomes layer WALL.

Xref Type. The Xref Type submenu allows you to toggle an xref between the Overlay and Attach xref types.

Path. The Path submenu allows you to remove the full path from an xref or set the path to relative.

Exercise 17-3 Managing Xrefs

Continue from Exercise 17-2.

Display the External References palette if it is not already displayed.

Select the Grid Plan reference. In the Type property, select Attach and change the attachment type to Overlay. Repeat this for the Wall Base reference.

Select the Wall Base reference, right-click, and select Unload from the shortcut menu. The Status column changes to Unloaded.

The Wall Base reference drawing is unloaded and disappears from your drawing.

The Wall Base drawing is shown as unloaded but is still referenced in the drawing (see Figure 17-16). Select the Wall Base drawing, and choose Reload from the right-click shortcut menu. The status changes to Loaded.

AutoCAD reloads the reference drawing, and it is displayed in its original location.

Save your drawing.

Edit Reference In-Place

It is possible to edit an xref directly within the host drawing. In Chapter 16, you looked at how to use the REFEDIT command to modify block definitions. The REFEDIT command also allows you to modify an xref from within your current drawing. This is known as edit reference in-place.

Selecting the Edit Reference In-Place tool on the Edit panel on the External Reference context tab of the ribbon displays the Reference Edit dialog box and displays the selected reference drawing along with any blocks or nested xrefs contained in the reference drawing. Selecting the OK button will put you in edit mode so that the reference drawing is no longer one complex block-type object, and you can modify the individual drawing objects using the regular AutoCAD modify commands.

After you have completed modifying the drawing and you save it, all the host or parent drawings that reference the modified drawing will show the most recent changes when they are opened the next time. If you or someone else has a host or parent drawing that is currently open, a notification balloon should appear in the system tray on the bottom right of the AutoCAD window informing you that the xref has been changed with a link to reload it. Clicking on the link will reload the xref and display the most recent changes.

Opening Xrefs

Of course, one of the easiest ways to make changes to an xref is to simply open the referenced drawing file with the OPEN command. When you make changes to the referenced drawing and save them, AutoCAD will notify you that changes have been made to the referenced drawing and allow you to update the xref by reloading it.

The Open option on the right-click menu in the External References palette allows you to open referenced drawings directly, bypassing the Select File dialog box. As discussed in the previous section, selecting one or more xrefs in the External References palette and choosing Open from the right-click menu will cause AutoCAD to open each xref in a separate drawing window.

The Open Reference tool on the External Reference context tab of the ribbon also allows you to open referenced drawings directly. Selecting the Open Reference tool simply opens the selected xref. Like the REFEDIT command, saving the xref will ensure that all host drawings that reference the modified file are updated as well.

Clipping an Xref

There may be times when you want to view only a portion of an xref. The XCLIP command allows you to “clip out” part of the displayed xref. The drawing or xref is not altered, but the xref is clipped to limit the display to only a portion of the xref. Clipping xrefs also speeds up the performance of a drawing. Information that is outside the clipping boundary is not processed by AutoCAD.

When you start the XCLIP command, AutoCAD asks you to select an xref and then presents a number of options. These are described in the following table:

Xref clipping is similar to cropping an image in other Windows applications. When you clip an xref, you are simply selecting an area of the xref to display.

It is possible to edit the boundary of a clipped xref using grips to resize the area, as well as invert the clipping area. Before editing a clipping boundary it must first be visible, so you can select it. The easiest way to control the visibility of xref clipping boundaries is via the Reference panel on the Insert tab on the ribbon. Reference clipping boundaries are referred to as frames. By default, frames are hidden and do not display. You can turn them on so they are visible in the drawing by clicking on the Hide frames option on the Reference panel and selecting either the Display and plot frames or the Display but don’t plot frames option from the flyout menu.

Exercise 17-5 Clipping Xrefs

Continue from Exercise 17-4.

Start the XCLIP command and select both the Grid Plan and Wall Base drawings and press <Enter>.

Select the New Boundary option, and then choose Rectangular to create a rectangular clipping boundary.

Pick the endpoints at P1 and P2 as shown in Figure 17-18. AutoCAD clips the xrefs around the rectangular area.

Save your drawing.

Attaching Raster Images

You can attach a raster image either by selecting Attach Image… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette (see Figure 17-21) or via the Attach tool on the Reference panel. Once you select an image and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach Image dialog box (see Figure 17-22), which allows you to set the type of path along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle. All these functions work the same as the XREF command.

The Show Details button will display information about the resolution and size of the raster image (see Figure 17-23). This will tell you how AutoCAD will convert raster image resolution to physical size. For example, a raster image that has a resolution of 72 pixels per inch, and is 144 pixels by 108 pixels, will be converted to 2″ × 1.5″ in AutoCAD. The Show Details button displays information about the image resolution, AutoCAD units, and the image size in both pixels and AutoCAD units.

Managing Images

Once you have loaded images into your drawing, AutoCAD will list the images, their status, file type, file date, and the saved path to the image file. Detach, Reload, and Unload work identically to their xref counterparts. You can also update the Saved Path property via the Found At property on the Details/Preview pane in the External References palette.

Controlling Image Settings

Placing and displaying images can be a somewhat subjective process. The quality, size, and format of raster images can vary widely. AutoCAD provides some tools for controlling and managing raster images.

The easiest way to control an image’s settings and appearance is to select it in the drawing so that the Image context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-24 is displayed, allowing you easy access to the most useful image settings.

Controlling Image Frames. Before you can select an image in a drawing, you must first turn on the image borders or frames. The easiest way to do that is via the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon. Click on the Hide frames option, and select either the Display and plot frames or the Display but don’t plot frames option from the flyout menu. The IMAGEFRAME system variable also controls the display of the image outline.

If an image is clipped, it controls the display of the clipping boundary. There are three settings for the IMAGEFRAME variable: 0, 1, and 2. These are described in the following table:

Adjusting Image Brightness, Contrast, and Fade Settings. The Brightness adjustment changes the brightness of an image. This can range from completely black to completely white.

The Contrast adjustment allows you to control the relative difference between dark and light areas of the image.

The Fade adjustment allows you to blend the image into the background. Moving the Fade control toward the right will adjust the overall color of the image to match the background color. If AutoCAD’s background is set to black, increasing the Fade setting causes the image to fade to black. If the background color is set to white, increasing the Fade setting causes the image to fade to white.

Image Clipping. As with xrefs, you can apply clipping boundaries to images. The Create Clipping Boundary tool allows you to define and control clipping boundaries associated with images. The options are identical to the XCLIP command discussed earlier.

Image clipping boundaries can be modified directly using grips. When you select a clipped image, AutoCAD displays grips at the corners of the clipping boundary. If the clipping boundary is rectangular, moving a grip changes the length and width of the clipping boundary. If the boundary is polygonal, moving a grip will change the shape of the clipping boundary.

Transparency. Some image file formats (such as GIF or PNG) support transparent pixels. When using images with transparency, you can turn the transparency on and off by selecting the Background Transparency button on the Options panel. If your image file format supports transparency, setting it to on will allow objects behind the image to be seen through the transparent pixels in the image.

Exercise 17-7 Controlling Image Settings

Continue from Exercise 17-6.

Select the raster image so the Image context tab of the ribbon is displayed.

Select the Create Clipping Boundary tool on the Clipping panel. Select the Rectangular option, and clip the image as shown in Figure 17-25. Position the image as necessary to match Figure 17-25.

Adjust the Brightness and Contrast settings to your liking using the settings on the Adjust panel.

Save your drawing.

Attaching DWF Underlays

You can attach a DWF underlay either by selecting Attach DWF… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette or by selecting the Attach tool on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon.

Either method displays the Select Reference File dialog box so you can select a DWF file to attach to your drawing. After you select a file and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach DWF Underlay dialog box shown in Figure 17-26 where you set the type of path along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle. These options are the same as those for the XREF command.

If the DWF file consists of multiple sheets, you must select the sheet to attach from the Select one or more sheets from the DWF file: list box on the left.

Managing DWF Underlays

Once you attach one or more DWF underlays in your drawing, AutoCAD will list the DWF file names, their status, file type, file date, and the saved path to the DWF file in the External References palette as shown in Figure 17-27.

Similar to xrefs, most of the DWF underlay options and settings are provided via a right-click shortcut menu similar to the xref shortcut menu shown earlier in Figure 17-12. The DWF underlay options work the same as the xref file options, with a few subtle differences.

Selecting Open from the shortcut menu will open the DWF file using the downloadable Autodesk Design Review software mentioned earlier so that you can view, but not edit, the DWF file.

The Attach… menu item displays the Select DWF File dialog box so that you can attach another DWF file; the other DWF underlay options, Unload, Reload, and Detach work the same as their xref counterparts.

Controlling DWF Underlay Settings

The easiest way to control a DWF underlay’s settings is to select it in the drawing so that the DWF Underlay context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-28 is displayed, allowing you to easily access the most useful DWF underlay settings and options.

Controlling DWF Underlay Frames. You can control whether a border outline is displayed around the edges of a DWF underlay via the Hide frames flyout menu on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon. Unlike raster images, DWF frames do not need to be on in order to select a DWF underlay. To turn frames on, select either the Display and plot frames or the Display but don’t plot frames option from the flyout menu.

The DWFFRAME system variable also controls the display of the DWF underlay outline. If a DWF underlay is clipped, it controls the display of the clipping boundary. There are three settings for the DWFFRAME variable: 0, 1, and 2. These are described in the following table:

Adjusting Contrast, Fade Effect, and Color Settings. The options and settings on the Adjust panel allow you to set the contrast, fade effect, and whether a DWF underlay is displayed in color or monochrome.

You have the following options:

• Contrast Controls the contrast of the underlay. Values settings are from 0 to 100. The greater the setting, the higher the contrast between dark and light colors, and vice versa. (default = 75)

• Fade Controls the fade effect of the underlay. Values settings are from 0 to 80. The higher the setting, the lighter the line work in the underlay. The lower the setting, the darker the line work. (default = 25)

• Monochrome Toggles the DWF underlay between color display and monochrome display (black and white). (default = On)

DWF Underlay Clipping. Similar to both xrefs and images, you can apply clipping boundaries to DWF underlays. The Create Clipping Boundary tool allows you to define and control clipping boundaries associated with DWF files. The options are identical to the XCLIP and IMAGECLIP commands.

Adjusting Colors for the Current Background. The Adjust Colors for Background option controls whether the DWF underlay colors are visible against the current drawing background color. The option is accessible only via the Properties palette under the Underlay Adjust category.

The default setting of Yes forces AutoCAD to analyze the background colors of the DWF underlay and the drawing environment to determine whether they are both light or both dark. If necessary, the colors of the DWF underlay are adjusted so the underlay is visible.

If the Adjust Colors for Background option is changed to No, the original colors of the underlay are always used regardless of the current background color. If you use this setting, the DWF underlay might not always be visible.

Turning Object Snaps On and Off. You can control whether object snapping is enabled for the DWF underlay geometry by selecting the Enable Snap button on the DWF Underlay context tab of the ribbon and toggling on or off.

DWF Layer Control

When a DWF file is created, the user has the option of including layer information within the DWF file. This allows people viewing the DWF file to turn layers on and off. People viewing the DWF file cannot control the name, color, linetype, etc., of DWF layers, only the layer visibility.

When you attach a DWF underlay, if the DWF file contains layer information, AutoCAD allows you this same ability. The DWFLAYERS command allows you to turn on and off the layers within a DWF file. The DWFLAYERS command is also available by selecting a DWF underlay and choosing DWF Layers… from the right-click menu or the DWF Underlay context tab of the ribbon.

When you start the DWFLAYERS command, AutoCAD will prompt you to select the DWF underlay. If the DWF underlay contains layer information, AutoCAD will display the layer names in the Underlay Layers dialog box (see Figure 17-29). In this dialog box, you can turn DWF layers on and off by clicking the lightbulb icon next to each layer. You can select multiple layers by pressing the <Ctrl> or <Shift> key while clicking layer names. You can also turn layers on and off by right-clicking highlighted layers and choosing Layer(s) On or Layer(s) Off from the right-click menu.

Attaching DGN Underlays

You can attach a DGN underlay either by selecting Attach DGN… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette or by selecting the Attach tool on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon.

Either method displays the Select Reference File dialog box so you can select a DGN file. After you select a file and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach DGN Underlay dialog box, shown in Figure 17-30, where you set the type of Path Type along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle.

Unlike AutoCAD, which has only one model design space, DGN files can contain multiple design models. Select the desired design model from the Select a design model from the DGN file: list. Only a single design model can be displayed per underlay. Sheet models within a DGN file (similar to DWF sheets) are not listed.

The Conversion Units area of the dialog box allows you to control how units are converted in the DGN file. DGN files use working units (imperial or metric) called master units and subunits. Some number of subunits is equal to one master unit. Select the unit you wish to use in your AutoCAD drawing. For example, if master units are set to feet and subunits are set to inches, then 12 subunits would equal 1 master unit (feet). Selecting Master units in the Conversion Units area would convert DGN master units (feet) to AutoCAD’s unit of measurement.

The Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation settings are the same as those for xrefs and DWF underlays.

Managing DGN Underlays

Once you attach one or more DGN underlays in your drawing, AutoCAD will list all of them along with all the other xrefs, images, and DWF underlays in the External References palette.

Like DWF underlays, the different DGN underlay options and settings are provided via a right-click shortcut menu. The DGN underlay options work exactly the same as their DWF underlay counterparts with some slight differences.

The Open option from the shortcut menu is not selectable. This is because AutoCAD does not include a DGN file viewer with AutoCAD.

The Attach… menu item displays the Select DGN File dialog box so that you can attach another DGN file; all the other DGN underlay options—Unload, Reload, and Detach—work exactly the same as their xref counterparts and DWF underlay.

Controlling DGN Underlay Settings

The easiest way to control a DGN underlay’s settings is to select it in the drawing so that the DGN Underlay context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-31 is displayed, allowing you to easily access the most useful DGN underlay settings and options.

DGN underlays share all the same settings and options as DWF underlays, so that you can do the following:

• Adjust the contrast, fade, and monochrome settings

• Clip portions of a DGN underlay so it is not displayed

• Enable/disable object snapping to the DGN underlay geometry

• Turn on/off DGN underlay layers if they are included

Refer to the earlier “Controlling DWF Underlay Settings” section for detailed descriptions of all the DGN underlay options.

Attaching PDF Underlays

You can attach a PDF underlay either by selecting Attach PDF… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette or by selecting the Attach tool on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon.

Either method displays the Select Reference File dialog box so you can select a PDF file. After you select a file and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach PDF Underlay dialog box shown in Figure 17-32 where you set the Path Type along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle.

PDF files with more than one page are attached one page at a time (as opposed to one sheet at a time for DWF files or one model at a time for DGN files). If the PDF file has more than one page, you must select the desired page from the Select one or more pages from the PDF file: list.

The Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation settings work the same as for the other types of underlays.

Managing PDF Underlays

Once you attach one or more PDF underlays in your drawing, AutoCAD will list them along with all the other xrefs, images, and underlays in the External References palette.

Like the other underlays, the different PDF underlay options and settings are provided via a right-click shortcut menu.

Controlling PDF Underlay Settings

The easiest way to control a PDF underlay’s settings is to select it in the drawing so that the PDF Underlay context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-33 is displayed, allowing you to easily access the most useful PDF underlay settings and options.

PDF underlays share all the same settings and options as DGN underlays so that you can do the following:

• Adjust the contrast, fade, and monochrome settings

• Clip portions of a PDF underlay so it is not displayed

• Enable/disable object snapping to the PDF underlay geometry

• Turn on/off PDF underlay layers if they are included

Refer to the “Controlling DGN Underlay Settings” section earlier for detailed descriptions of all the PDF underlay options.

Attaching Point Cloud References

You can attach a point cloud reference either by selecting Attach Point Cloud… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette or by selecting the Attach tool on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon.

Either method displays the Select Point File dialog box so you can select a point cloud file. After you select a file and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach Point Cloud dialog box shown in Figure 17-34 where you set the Path Type along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle.

The Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation settings work the same as for the other types of underlays/references.

The other available options are as follows:

• Use geographic location Inserts the point cloud based on the geographic data in both the point cloud file and the drawing file

• Lock point cloud Controls whether an attached point cloud can be moved or rotated

• Zoom to point cloud Automatically zooms to the extents of the attached point cloud object

Controlling Point Cloud References

The easiest way to control a point cloud reference’s settings is to select it in the drawing so that the Point Cloud context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-35 is displayed, allowing you to easily access the most useful point cloud settings and options.

A number of controls and options are available for point cloud data:

• Display panel Allows you to manage program performance and visual noise by increasing or decreasing the number of visible points and point size; switch to a perspective view; and navigate around the point cloud

• Visualization panel Allows you to analyze features within a point cloud, making it possible to retain the original scan colors or stylize the point cloud based on object color, normals (point orientation), intensity, elevation, or LAS classification data. Provides options to control lighting, shading, the light source, and transparency

• Cropping panel Allows you to crop rectangular, polygonal, or circular areas to show only relevant portions of the point cloud

• Section panel Allows you to create standard and user-defined 2D planar views of the point cloud data

• Extract panel Allows you to extract several types of geometry that can be inferred from a segmented point cloud:

  • Line corresponding to the edge between two planar segments

  • Intersection between three planar segments

  • Centerline of a detected cylindrical segment

• Options panel Allows you to display the Point Cloud Manager palette described below and toggle the main External References palette on/off

Managing Point Cloud References

The Point Cloud Manager shown in Figure 17-36 allows you to control display of point cloud projects, regions, and scans so you can isolate different regions of the point cloud display, turn them on/off, and switch to the original vantage point of the camera location for a scan.

The Tree View and List View buttons allow you to toggle between a hierarchical tree view and a list view.

Scan information is organized in the List/Tree View window as follows:

• Project Lists project files that have been attached to the current drawing

• Regions Lists the regions that have been defined in Autodesk ReCap Pro for the attached point cloud. Select the region names to highlight them in their assigned color

• Unassigned Points Identifies and hides unassigned points or sections of the point cloud that have not been assigned to regions. Select the row to show the unassigned points

• Scans Lists the individual scan files that are included in the composite point cloud. Select the row to highlight the points included in the scan. A tag is temporarily displayed in the scene to identify the location

To hide a region or scan, simply click the round button on the right end of the row or use the right-click menu.

Attaching Coordination Model References

You can attach a coordination model reference either by selecting Attach Coordination Model… from the drop-down or right-click menu in the External References palette or by selecting the Attach tool on the Reference panel on the Insert tab of the ribbon.

Either method displays the Select Coordination Model dialog box so you can select a coordination model file. After you select a file and choose Open, AutoCAD displays the Attach Coordination Model dialog box shown in Figure 17-37 where you set the Path Type along with the Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation angle.

The Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation settings work the same as for the other types of underlays/references.

The other available options are as follows:

• Show Current Drawing Geometry in Model Controls the display of the geometry on the current drawing if the current drawing is part of the coordination model

• Zoom to Coordination Model Controls whether to zoom in to the coordination model after it is attached

Controlling Coordination Model References

The easiest way to control a coordination model reference’s settings is to select it in the drawing so that the Coordination Model context tab of the ribbon shown in Figure 17-38 is displayed, allowing you to easily access the most useful coordination model settings and options.

The controls and options available for coordination models are as follows:

• Display panel Allows you to control color and opacity fading and navigate around the coordination model

• Manage panel Allows you to toggle the main External References palette on/off

Using eTransmit

Before using the ETRANSMIT command, you need to save any changes to your drawing. If you start the command before you save any changes, AutoCAD will ask you to save the changes before continuing (see Figure 17-39).

Selecting Files. When you start the ETRANSMIT command, AutoCAD displays the Create Transmittal dialog box (see Figure 17-40). The Files Tree tab shows you a hierarchical tree view of your drawing and any files that are associated with it. From this view, you can see the relationships of the files and also which files are attached to which.

The Files Table tab (see Figure 17-41) shows you a flattened list of all files associated with your drawing. This view does not show file relationships but may be easier to work with because all the files are displayed in a single list.

With either view, you can select the files you wish to include in your transmittal by checking or unchecking the box next to the file.

The Add File… button allows you to specify additional files you wish to include in your transmittal, such as design specifications, product data sheets, or cover letters.

The Transmittal Report. When you create your transmittal, AutoCAD will create a transmittal report to include with the transmittal. The View Report button displays the View Transmittal Report dialog box, which shows you a copy of the information that will be included in this report. The Save As… button allows you to save this report to a text file. The Close button closes the View Transmittal Report dialog box.

You can add additional information to this report by typing it into the text area above the View Report button. Any text typed here will be added to the transmittal report (see Figure 17-42).

Configuring the Transmittal

A transmittal setup contains all the settings for the transmittal, including which files to include, how the files are organized, and how xrefs are included with the drawing. Multiple transmittal setups can be created and saved. This allows you to create different setups for different clients or needs. When you choose the Transmittal Setups… button, AutoCAD displays the Transmittal Setups dialog box (see Figure 17-43). This allows you to modify, rename, or delete an existing setup or create a new transmittal setup. Transmittal setups are similar to page setups or dimension styles in that they simply assign a name to a collection of settings.

To create a new setup, choose the New… button in the Transmittal Setups dialog box. This displays the New Transmittal Setup dialog box (see Figure 17-44), where you can assign a name to your new transmittal setup. Each new transmittal setup is created from an existing setup. The Based on: list allows you to choose which setup to use as a basis for your new setup.

Once you create a new setup or choose the Modify… button, AutoCAD will display the Modify Transmittal Setup dialog box (see Figure 17-45). This dialog box allows you to modify the settings for the transmittal.

Transmittal Settings. The Transmittal package type: allows you to select how the files will be stored. The options are described in the following table:

The File format: option lets you convert AutoCAD 2020 drawings back to AutoCAD 2018 and 2018 LT, AutoCAD 2013 and 2013 LT, AutoCAD 2010 and 2010 LT, AutoCAD 2007 and 2007 LT, AutoCAD 2004 and 2004 LT, or AutoCAD 2000 and 2000 LT release formats. All drawing files and xrefs are converted back to the selected file format prior to packaging them.

The Transmittal file folder: is the location for the transmitted files. The drop-down list will display the nine previous locations that have been used, or you can choose the Browse button to specify a new location.

The Transmittal file name: determines the ZIP or EXE file name and tells AutoCAD which method is used for naming. By default, AutoCAD combines the drawing file name with the transmittal setup name. For example, a drawing called Plan.dwg using the Standard transmittal setup with the Zip package option would have a transmittal file name called Plan-Standard.zip. You can change the default file name by typing a new name in the space below the Transmittal file name:. This option is disabled if the Folder package type is used. These options are described in the following table:

The Path options area allows you to choose how the files are organized within the package. These are described in the following table:

The Send e-mail with transmittal option will cause AutoCAD to start a new email message with the transmittal files included as attachments.

The Set default plotter to ‘none’ option changes the default plotter for all model and paper space layouts to None. This prevents AutoCAD from trying to communicate with plotters that may not be configured on another user’s system.

The Bind external references option causes AutoCAD to bind all xrefs in the transmittal drawing file. This means that no xref files are included with the transmittal and that all xrefs are automatically bound before packaging. This does not affect the source drawing file, only the transmittal copy. The advantage of using this option is that the person receiving the transmittal will not have to deal with xref paths or missing files. The disadvantage is that for large or complex drawings, binding xrefs may cause the file size to increase significantly.

The Purge drawings option will do a complete purge of all the drawings in the transmittal package.

The Remove Design Feed option removes association to any design feed information for the specified drawings. It is strongly recommended that you do not make or distribute copies of drawings that include embedded design feed IDs.

The Include options area allows you to specify whether to include associated fonts, textures from materials, external files referenced by a data link, photometric web files that are associated with web lights, and unloaded file references.

Exercise 17-8 Transmitting Xrefs

Continue from Exercise 17-7.

Start the ETRANSMIT command. If you have any unsaved changes, AutoCAD will ask whether you want to save them. Choose OK to save any changes.

Look at the Files Tree and Files Table tabs to see which files are going to be included in the transmittal.

Choose the Transmittal Setups… button and choose New… to create a new transmittal setup. Name the transmittal setup Chapter 17 and choose Continue to continue setting up the transmittal.

Set the Transmittal package type: to Zip and Keep existing drawing file formats. Select a location from the Transmittal file folder: and choose Prompt for a filename.

Choose Place all files in one folder and Include fonts. Turn all other options off. Choose OK to save the transmittal setup and Close to return to the Create Transmittal dialog box. Your settings should be set to match Figure 17-46.

Choose OK to create the transmittal. Save the transmittal as CH17_EXERCISE8.

Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer.

1. Which of the following statements best defines an xref?

a. A drawing that is independent of all other drawings

b. A drawing attached to the current or host drawing with a link back to the original drawing

c. A drawing that can bind only to the current drawing

d. All of the above

2. Why would “Reload” be needed when using xrefs?

a. To lock changes out of the current drawing

b. To check updates to a current attached drawing

c. To bind changes to a current drawing

d. All of the above

3. Binding an attached xref drawing will:

a. Isolate the drawing from any more updates

b. Make the attached drawing more editable

c. Bind it somewhat permanently to the current drawing

d. All of the above

4. Which bind-type option will bind named xref objects such as layers, linetypes, and text styles and not rename them with the xref name and a “$0$” prefix?

a. Bind option

b. Insert option

c. Setting BINDTYPE system variable to 0

d. None of the above

5. The XOPEN command is used for:

a. Opening a deleted drawing

b. Opening a new drawing

c. Directly opening an attached xref

d. All of the above

6. The XBIND command is used for:

a. Adding or removing individual dependent definitions from the xrefed drawing to the host drawing

b. Managing xref layer settings

c. Adding or removing layer definitions to the current host drawing

d. All of the above

7. An eTransmit report contains the following information:

a. Date and drawing name

b. File paths and xref file paths

c. Any excluded files

d. All of the above

8. eTransmit files can be which of the following?

a. .exe (self-extracting executable files)

b. .zip (ZIP files)

c. Folder (set of files)

d. All of the above

9. Why would “demand loading” be applied to xrefs?

a. To automatically load your drawing when AutoCAD is opened

b. To speed up AutoCAD and make it run more efficiently

c. To block others from using your xrefs

d. All of the above

10. Why would raster images be applied to a drawing?

a. To provide a company logo background image

b. To provide location points for satellite topographical drawings

c. To trace shapes or profiles

d. All of the above

Matching

Write the letter of the correct answer on the line.

True or False

Circle the correct answer.

1.True or False: Changes to “attached” drawings are not shown on the host drawing.

2.True or False: Changes to “bound” drawings are not shown on the host drawing.

3.True or False: “Detach” removes an xref attached drawing.

4.True or False: “Reloading” an xref is done to remove any changes made to the attached drawing.

5.True or False: Layers can be included in attached drawings.

6.True or False: When binding an xref, named objects such as layers, linetypes, and textstyles are always renamed by prefixing the named object with the xref file name followed by “$0$”.

7.True or False: eTransmit can also provide a report and other files along with the drawing file to be transmitted.

8.True or False: With demand loading, “Enabled with Copy” lets others use your drawing while you continue to edit it.

9.True or False: The resolution can be adjusted on an attached image on your AutoCAD drawing.

10.True or False: Image quality cannot be adjusted on an attached image on your AutoCAD drawing.

Project 17-1: Classroom Plan, continued from Chapter 16 [BASIC]

1. Open drawing P16-1 from Chapter 16.

2. Switch to the Architectural Title Block layout, and erase the existing title block information.

3. Attach the drawing Architectural D-Size.dwg created in Chapter 16 as an overlay xref. Place the xref at the coordinates −.75,−.5.

4. Insert the drawing Title Attributes Architectural D-Size.dwg as a block. Use an insertion point of −.5,.25. Fill in appropriate values for the attributes. Your drawing should resemble Figure 17-47.

   

5. Save your drawing as P17-1.

Project 17-2: Logo/B-Size Mechanical Border, continued from Chapters 10 & 16 [INTERMEDIATE]

1. Open drawing P10-2. Move the geometry so the lower left corner of the logo is located at 0,0.

2. Create a new text style called PEARSON using the Arial.ttf font. Assign a width of 1.25 to the style.

3. Create a second text style called PH using the Times New Roman.ttf font.

4. Add the text shown in Figure 17-48. All text is 0.375 high. Assign the color 255 directly to the text.

   

   Hint: Use the DRAWORDER command to send the fill areas behind.

5. Scale the logo so the height is .375, as shown in Figure 17-48.

6. Save the drawing as PH-Logo.

7. Open the template file Mechanical B-Size.DWT from Project 16-2 in Chapter 16.

8. Set the Mechanical B-Size layout current and attach the drawing PH-Logo as an overlay reference. Place the drawing as shown in Figure 17-49.

   

9. Save the drawing template as Mechanical B-Size.DWG.

Project 17-3: Architectural D-Size Border, continued from Chapter 16 [ADVANCED]

1. Start a new drawing using the acad.dwt template.

2. Create the architect’s professional seal shown in Figure 17-50 as follows:

   

   1. Draw all information on Layer 0.

   2. Use the DONUT command to create a donut at 0,0 with an inside diameter of 1.70″ and an outside diameter of 1.75″.

   3. Use the CIRCLE command to create the inside circle with a diameter of 1.25″.

   4. Use the TEXT command to create all text as single-line text. Outside curved text is 0.125″ high. Inside text is 0.093″.

   5. Save the drawing as Seal.DWG.

3. Open the template file Architectural D-Size.DWT from Project 16-3 in Chapter 16.

4. Attach the architect’s professional seal drawing created above (Seal.DWG) as an external reference at the center of the title border circle as shown in Figure 17-50 so that it is rotated 90°.

5. Save the template as Architectural D-Size.DWG.

Project 17-4: Optical Mount—English Units, continued from Chapter 15 [INTERMEDIATE]

1. Open drawing P15-4 from Chapter 15.

2. Switch to the Mechanical B-Size layout. Erase the existing title block geometry, leaving only the viewport.

3. Attach the drawing Mechanical B-Size.DWG as an overlay xref. Place the reference at 0,0 at a scale of 1 and a rotation angle of 0.

4. Insert the drawing Title Attributes Mechanical B-Size.dwg as a block. Place the block at 0,0 at a scale of 1 and a rotation angle of 0. Enter appropriate values for the title block attributes. Your drawing should look like Figure 17-51.

   

5. Save the drawing as P17-4.

Project 17-5: Residential Architectural Plan, continued from Chapter 15 [ADVANCED]

1. Open drawing P15-5 from Chapter 15.

2. Switch to the Architectural D-Size layout. Erase the existing title block geometry, leaving only the viewport.

3. Attach the drawing Architectural D-Size.DWG as an overlay xref. Place the reference at 0,0 at a scale of 1 and a rotation angle of 0.

4. Insert the drawing Title Attributes D-Size.dwg as a block. Place the block at 0,0 at a scale of 1 and a rotation angle of 0. Enter appropriate values for the title block attributes. Your drawing should look like Figure 17-52.

5. Save the drawing as P17-5.