AutoCAD: “External Reference is missing” when using Cloud based storage

Issue:

AutoCAD: “External Reference is missing” when using Cloud based storage

This can happen with any Cloud based storage. Example Microsoft One Drive.

Causes:

  • File syncing method

When using Cloud based storage the files are synced for each user. If system A uploads the file. Then system B will have this file synced locally (many times similar to another Hard Drive you see on your system). The User who uploaded the file has a different location because of the User and thus the External Reference does not know how to find the file in the New Users Profile.

Solution:

  • In a situation like this you need to use the “Relative Path” method.

Relative Path

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-164C2548-91E6-476D-AFDF-6257340C2EE2-htm.html

 

You can set this by right clicking on the External Reference in the External Reference Manager and selecting Relative Path”.

 

  • Type “Xref” on the command line and select the <Enter> Key.
  • The External Reference Palette will open.
  • Right click on the External Reference in question and select “Change Path Type”.
  • Then select “Relative Path”.

About the Author

Jeff Arbogast

Manufacturing Solution Center Team Lead<br><br>Jeff is responsible for manufacturing Technical Support for both internal staff and customers. In addition to the daily activities of the support center, he helps write for the National Support Center blog, and has written online classes for the IMAGINiT training on demand site.

Follow on Linkedin More Content by Jeff Arbogast
Previous Video
Control Model Madness: Collaboration for Revit
Control Model Madness: Collaboration for Revit

In this one-hour on-demand webinar, Caesar Ruest of Autodesk shows how you can use Collaboration for Revit ...

Next Article
Revit: “The central model has been copied or moved”- Issues saving or opening
Revit: “The central model has been copied or moved”- Issues saving or opening

When a central model is created, Revit stores the path of the central file as it appears on the computer cr...

Need tech support? Let us help!

Learn More