I frequently have conversations with Civil 3D users on the best ways to handle Civil 3D data; specifically, what criteria constitutes using data shortcuts. One criterion that people often cite is the need to label Civil 3D objects for production drawings. It is quite amusing to witness their reaction when they learn that Civil 3D objects can be labeled directly through an external reference, many times eliminating the need for a data shortcut within their drawings.
The method to label externally referenced Civil 3D objects is the same as any other Civil 3D objects that can be added via the Add Labels tool or from the Add Labels drop down.
Two important rules to keep in mind while labeling referenced Civil 3D objects; (1) The external reference cannot be moved from its insertion point ensuring that the host and reference file coordinates match in model space; (2) objects to be labeled must be first-level external references, as objects in nested external references will not work.
If either of these rules have been violated, the software will let you know by changing the intended label text to <XREF moved>.
Knowing that Civil 3D allows for labeling externally referenced Civil 3D objects opens new workflow options and can potentially save you the need to use data shortcuts when it comes time to label objects, and as we know, the less data in drawings typically means better performance.
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