There are three path options you will get in the Path type panel of the Attach External References window. These Path type are No path, Full path, and Relative path, as shown in Figure 9.7:

Here is a description of each path type:

• No path:

When you select the No path option, AutoCAD attaches the XRef without any path information. The XRef should be in the folder of the host drawing, otherwise AutoCAD won't be able to resolve the XRef.

• Full path:

When you select the Full path option, AutoCAD saves the complete path of the XRef file. This option offers very little flexibility when it comes to XRef management because if the location of the XRef changes, or if you rename the directory of the XRef or even the drive containing the XRef, then AutoCAD won't be able to resolve the XRef.

• Relative path:

This is the most flexible path type option available in the Attach External References window. This option saves the location of the XRef with respect to the host drawing location and, in this case, even when the location of the XRef changes, or the drive letter of the directory containing XRef changes, AutoCAD will still be able to resolve the XRef as long as the location of the XRef with respect to the host file is unchanged.

In all these path type options, if the XRef is in the same directory as the host file or in the support folder, then AutoCAD will be able to resolve the XRef. The location of the support folder is usually C:Program FilesAutodeskAutoCAD 2021support.