Recently we adopted new layer names similar to the NCS layers already built in to Civil 3D templates. We had to make a few modifications of course, one of those being XREF layer names. We decided it was best to have XREF layers start with “X-” and end with a standard four-letter abbreviation. This enabled us to more easily sort XREF layers. To really make this successful, we also had to make it a standard practice to rename external reference names. Let me show you why. Read more »

My friend and coworker @deanhuber emailed me with this tip today: Read more »

This Express Tools command may not be new to some of you but I thought I would share anyway. Type the command SUPERHATCH on the command line and you will get this: Read more »

One of the most powerful features of AutoCAD is the ability for multiple people to work concurrently a project. A typical way this is done is by using XREFs. One person can be working on details, while another is working on the base map, while another is working on the preliminary design, and so on. Read more »

It’s happened to all of us. You receive a zipped up set of CAD files from someone, you open a layout drawing that contains XREFs, and all the XREF paths are broken. Well never fear, there is a lazy way to redirect all the XREF paths in a drawing. Here is how I make it happen. Read more »

When Autodesk released AutoCAD 2007 I noticed that when I inserted a block or XREF it would sometimes scale up or down in a way I didn’t expect. After a little digging in the help file I found these system variables: INSUNITS, INSUNITSDEFSOURCE, & INSUNITSDEFTARGET. Read more »