Xref path problem

[SUNDEMON]

hi all,
I have a problem w/ x-ref paths. Where i work, we typically create a folder for drawings of a given job, and a sepatate folder for x-refs, both located in the same parent folder. These files, in turn are kept on a remote server.
If I create an x-ref on my machine, it always loads when I open the drawing. But if my co-worker opens the drawing on his machine, it doesn't load, so we have to open the x-ref dialog box, browse for the path, and reload it that way.


It surprises me that we have to do this even though the relative path (i.e. from drawing to x-ref) remains unchanged. Of course, the path from each of our machines to the server is different.

Anyway, it's sort of a big pain to go through this all the time. Is there a way to set x-refs so to avoid this?

thanks, sundemon

 

[PLB]

Hey Sundemon,

If I understand your problem correctly, it should be very easy to fix. You will need to get onto your co-workers machine and go to >>TOOLS >>OPTIONS or PREFERENCES and see if the drawing folder is listed in the Search Path category. If your company has separate job folders within a DRAWING folder, you should be able to set the Search Path to DRAWINGS, and it will load the x-refs when you load the drawing file.

It sounds like the setting is not currently set so that the computer doesn't know where to look to find the x-ref that the drawing is calling for.

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

[IFRs]

Are you using full path, relative path or no path in the xref attach dialog?

 

[twlincoln]

You might think about using Relative Paths vs. Hard Coded Pathes.... or looking into the use of the PROJECTNAME System Variable.

- Tracy

 

[SUNDEMON]

thanks everyone for your replies-
I insert ex-refs as follows;
I type "XR" (my shortcut for "xref&quot
the x-ref manager dialog opens and I push "attach" and browse for the desired file.
When I select a file and click OK, a second dialog opens. I have the "retain path" field checked, and the reference type is "attachment".
I put it in the drawing.

PLB-
I not sure I understand your suggestion. I have the same problem if I open a drawing with an x-ref created (or path modified via reloading) on my co-worker's machine. Our drawing files are located on a remote server, organized with folders for a job, and then separate folders for individual drawings (we use design express in conjunction with ACAD, so that's the setup for that software). We locate the xrefs in a separate folder in the parent folder for the job, i.e., on the same level as the drawing files themselves. again, the problem W/ reloading has to do with using different workstations. IS this something I should set up with a given project?

twlincoln-
thanks I'll investigate


thanks to anyone able to give a concise help from what I am describing.

sundemon

 

[OZZY84]

"Of course, the path from each of our machines to the server is different."

WHAT!

can you "MAP" a drive letter so the server path is the same on all machines. you will have to MAP for each machine

in explorer, tools -> map network drive

then when you "XR" you can use the new mapped path.

ex. "M:\SERVER\PROJECTS\..." M: FOR main.

hope this helps


Intel P4 1.7 GHZ
768 RDRAM
Win 2000 Pro
Autocad 14, 2002 with EP 2.3.1

 

[PLB]

Hi SUNDEMON,

I'll try to clarify what I said before. Each of your computers is trying to access the x-reffed file(s) based on the name of the xref that was originally created in the drawing. So, if your machine lists a different path to the xref than your co-workers machine, then the co-workers machine will never be able to find it.

OZZY84 had a great suggestion. I think it would help your office if EVERYONE maps to the same drive. Then attached files will be "findable".

As far as the Search Path goes, the Search Path is a list of directories that is stored in your Autocad settings that tells Autocad where is can look to find the files that you ask for. This list is stored under the "Options" or "Preferences" settings in the TOOLS menu. For example, if your company has a server with a PROJECTS directory, and in the PROJECTS directory lies ALL of the individual jobs, then you can list the PROJECTS directory in your Search Path to allow Autocad to search in that directory to find the files that you want to access (xrefs). Just open Autocad, click on TOOLS, then click on Options, then click on the Files Tab, and then near the bottom of the list is "Temporary External Reference File Location". You can browse to the xref and save it here. I would also advise you to save the same path under "Support File Search Path" and "Project Files Search Path".

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

[SUNDEMON]

YEA!!!!!!!!!

thanks everyone for your help and patience. My co-worker is a lot more Windows-savvy than I, and when I showed him the different path names in the same x-ref in our two machine, he realized he'd been overlooking the obvious.

sundemon

 

[CadDraftee]

Hi,

I understand perfectly. the best solution is to when you attach your xref make sure the "Save Path" box is unchecked. What will happen then when you colleague opens the drawing it will search for a xref of that name and not the entire path name. You can also fix existing xrefs by selecting them and at the bottom of the xref manager whre it says "path found at" delete the path and leave the file name only, then click on the "save path" button watch at the top in the list of xrefs and it now should have a file name only and not a directory listing.

Hope this helps