ExternalReference Object (ActiveX)

An instance of an external reference inserted into a drawing.

Supported Platforms: Windows only

Class Information

Class Name

AcadExternalReference

Object Inheritance

Object
   AcadObject
      AcadEntity
         AcadBlockReference
            AcadExternalReference

Create Using

VBA

ModelSpace.AttachExternalReference
PaperSpace.AttachExternalReference
Block.AttachExternalReference

Access Via

VBA

ModelSpace.Item
PaperSpace.Item
Block.Item
SelectionSet.Item
Group.Item

Members

These members are part of this object:

Methods	Properties	Events
ArrayPolar ArrayRectangular ConvertToAnonymousBlock ConvertToStaticBlock Copy Delete Explode GetAttributes GetBoundingBox GetConstantAttributes GetDynamicBlockProperties GetExtensionDictionary GetXData Highlight IntersectWith Mirror Mirror3D Move ResetBlock Rotate Rotate3D ScaleEntity SetXData TransformBy Update	Application Document EffectiveName EntityTransparency Handle HasAttributes HasExtensionDictionary Hyperlinks InsertionPoint InsUnits InsUnitsFactor IsDynamicBlock Layer LayerPropertyOverrides Linetype LinetypeScale Lineweight Material Name Normal ObjectID ObjectName OwnerID Path PlotStyleName Rotation TrueColor Visible XEffectiveScaleFactor XScaleFactor YEffectiveScaleFactor YScaleFactor ZEffectiveScaleFactor ZScaleFactor	Modified

Remarks

An external reference (xref) links another drawing to the current drawing. When you insert a drawing as a block, the block definition and all the associated geometry is stored in the current drawing database. It is not updated if the original drawing changes. When you insert a drawing as an xref, however, it is updated when the original drawing changes. A drawing containing xrefs always reflects the most current edits of each externally referenced file.

Like a block reference, AutoCAD displays an xref in the current drawing as a single object. However, an xref does not significantly increase the file size of the current drawing and cannot be exploded. As with block references, you can nest xrefs that are attached to your drawing.