Labeling External References (Xrefs)

2012-03-14

Product Documentation

Intermediate

You can label xref objects as you would native objects.

The process to label xref objects is the same as if you were labeling an object in the current drawing. If the xref object is modified in the source drawing, then the corresponding label updates dynamically.

Labels you add to an xref exist in the current drawing. If you detach the xref, labels created in the current drawing will be lost. Xref data is read-only in the current drawing and can only be edited in the source drawing.

Tutorial Exercise: Attaching Drawings as Xrefs for Annotation

For Xref labels to be created

The xref must be inserted into the current drawing at 0, 0, 0.
The xref must be scaled at 1,1,1.
The xref must not be rotated.

Objects in an xref cannot be individually context selected. Xref commands, such as detach, bind, and unload, can alter the association between a label and the object within an xref. For more information, see Xref Label Behavior.

If a drawing containing AutoCAD Civil 3D objects and labels is inserted as an xref into another drawing, the labels will not be altered. It is recommended that if you insert xrefs that include labels, you should set the labels on layers that can be frozen.

Note

Xrefs can only be used to create parcel and alignment tables. Other xref objects are not currently supported by tables.

To add Xref labels

Click Insert tab Reference panel Attach .
In the Select Reference File dialog box, select the DWG to insert into the current drawing.
In the External Reference dialog box, set the Insertion Point values (X, Y, and Z) to 0.00.
Set the Scale values (X, Y, and Z) to 1.00.
Set the Rotation angle to 0. Press OK.
The xref object displays in the current drawing. Now you can label the xref data.
Click Annotate tabLabels & Tables panelAdd Labels menuNotes.
Select the label style to use.

Note
Labels for View Frames and Matchlines are NOT supported through xrefs.
Click OK and pick the label locations.