The External References palette organizes, displays, and manages referenced files, such as DWG files (xrefs), DWF, DWFx, PDF, or DGN underlays, raster images, point clouds (RCP and RCS files), and coordination models (NWD and NWC files).
Note: Point clouds and coordination models are not available in AutoCAD LT.
Only DWG, DWF, DWFx, PDF, and raster image files can be opened directly from the External References palette.
Shortcut menus provide additional options for working with the files.
List of Options
The following options are displayed.
External References Palette Toolbar
- Attach
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Attaches files to the current drawing. Select a format from the list to display the Select Reference File dialog box.
- Refresh
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Refreshes the list display or reloads all references to display any changes that may have occurred in the referenced files.
- Change Path
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Modifies the path of the selected files. You can set the path to be absolute or relative. If the referenced file is stored in the same location as the current drawing, you can also remove the path. You can also select a new path for a missing reference using the Select New Path option. The Find and Replace option provides you a way to locate all references that use a specified path from all the references that you selected, and replaces all occurrences of that path with a new path that you specify.
- Help
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Opens the Help system.
File References
- List and Tree View buttons
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Click the buttons to switch between list and tree view.
- List of Referenced Files
- Displays a list of references in the current drawing, including information such as status, size, and date of creation.
Double-click the file name to edit it. Double-click the cell under Type to change the path type (DWG only).
Details
Displays information or a preview image of a selected reference.
- Detail Display and Thumbnail Preview buttons
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Click the buttons to switch from the detail display to a thumbnail preview.
- Preview image
- Shows a thumbnail image of the file selected under File References.
- Detail Display
- Provides information about the file selected under File References. You can modify some information by clicking the right column.