Autodesk Construction Cloud Series: AutoCAD External References (XREFS)

The first post in this series on the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) will showcase a basic AutoCAD functionality:  External Reference (XREFS).  The short answer is: YES.  The only stipulation is to make sure to set the Path type to Relative Paths, to ensure that references remain when other users open drawing files.

Creating the reference will have a normal feel, users will just need to browse to the Autodesk DOCS location facilitated by the Autodesk Desktop Connector (ADC).  No matter what user in the ACC project creates the reference, the drawing will open as expected for all.

AutoCAD Workflow:  creating XREFS from the ACC:

First, USER1 starts by creating an External Reference (XREF) to an Aerial Image and Parcels drawing file.  The drawing is saved on the ACC Project, the path to reference will be set to USER1

Next, USER2 can open the drawing file with loaded XREFS from the ACC Project.  The shown path to the references will be to automatically updated to USER2, and Image and Linework will be shown.

Users sharing drawing files over the ACC with XREFS behave as expected, as long as is set to Relative Path.

Viewing Drawings with XREFS on the Web via ACC:

The Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) allows users invited to the project with the correct entitlement, and appropriate privileges assigned will have access to the files.  In this case both users, USER1 who created the Drawing with XREFS, and USER2 who is viewing the file can browse to the same file and get the same viewing results:

Simple AutoCAD functionality that is clearly supported by the ACC for collaboration of drawing files across the team in a project and web access.

Please visit our other posts testing functionality on the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC):
     •    Using AutoCAD Live Maps Service (geolocation) on the ACC
     •    Sharing Reusable AutoCAD on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: Connecting to FDO files on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: working with Images on the ACC
     •    Map 3D: using Web Source Connections
     •    Civil 3D: sharing Pipe Catalogs on the ACC
     •    Civil 3D: storing Survey Databases on the ACC
     •    Civil 3D: working with Reference Templates on the ACC

About the Author

Civil Applications Expert<br><br>As an Applications Expert, Leo is responsible for supporting, training and implementation of software for survey and civil engineering professionals. He has more than 17 years of experience helping large and small, public and private clients in the eastern United States.

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