Attaching an xref links one drawing (the reference file, or xref) to the current drawing.
When a drawing references an xref, AutoCAD attaches only the xref definition to the drawing, unlike regular blocks, where the block definition and the contents of the block are stored with the current drawing. AutoCAD reads the reference drawing to determine what to display in the current drawing. If the reference file is missing or corrupt, its data is not displayed in the current drawing. Each time you open a drawing, AutoCAD loads all graphical and nongraphical (such as layers, linetypes, and text styles) objects from referenced files. If VISRETAIN is on, AutoCAD stores any updated xref-dependent layer information in the current drawing.
You can attach as many copies of an xref as you want, and each can have a different position, scale, and rotation. You can also control the dependent layers and linetype properties that are defined in the xref.
To attach an xref, use the AttachExternalReference method. This method requires you to input the path and file name of the drawing to be referenced, the name the xref is to use in the current drawing, the insertion point, the scale, and rotation information for the xref. The AttachExternalReference method returns the newly created ExternalReference object.
This example displays all the blocks in the current drawing before and after adding an external reference. This example uses the 3D House.dwg file found in the sample directory. If you do not have this image, or if it is located in a different directory, insert a valid path and file name for the PathName variable.
Sub Ch10_AttachingExternalReference() On Error GoTo ERRORHANDLER Dim InsertPoint(0 To 2) As Double Dim insertedBlock As AcadExternalReference Dim tempBlock As AcadBlock Dim msg As String, PathName As String ' Define external reference to be inserted InsertPoint(0) = 1 InsertPoint(1) = 1 InsertPoint(2) = 0 PathName = "C:/Program Files/Autodesk/AutoCAD release/sample/3D House.dwg" ' Display current Block information for this drawing GoSub ListBlocks ' Add the external reference to the drawing Set insertedBlock = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace. _ AttachExternalReference(PathName, "XREF_IMAGE", _ InsertPoint, 1, 1, 1, 0, False) ZoomAll ' Display new Block information for this drawing GoSub ListBlocks Exit Sub ListBlocks: msg = vbCrLf ' Reset message For Each tempBlock In ThisDrawing.Blocks msg = msg & tempBlock.Name & vbCrLf Next MsgBox "The current blocks in this drawing are: " & msg Return ERRORHANDLER: MsgBox Err.Description End Sub