You can insert components and folders from external drawings, as xref components and folders.
Using xrefs you can store the individual parts of an assembly drawing in separate drawing files. The link is associative and modifications made at the source are automatically reflected in the drawing containing the xref component/folder (host drawing). If the source is modified while the host drawing is open, a balloon message on the status bar notifies you that changes were made. Furthermore, you can edit xref component views and folders, in-place (from within the host drawing) and save the modifications back to the source file. Xrefs for mechanical structure lends itself well to a collaborative working environment, where several designers can work simultaneously on several parts of an assembly.
On the mechanical browser, xref components and folders are indicated by a blue mark that prefixes the component's icon (
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The structure catalog is the primary tool used for xref operations on mechanical structure. This tool is available via the AMSCATALOG command.
Xrefs for mechanical structure differ from AutoCAD xrefs in the following manner:
- AutoCAD xrefs do not register components with the mechanical browser.
- AutoCAD xrefs insert the entire drawing, while xrefs for mechanical structure lets you insert individual components and folders.
If you use mechanical structure in your drawing, we recommend that you use xrefs for mechanical structure instead of AutoCAD xrefs.