Autocad Tutorial: Using Xref effectively for grid system on floor plans

By Clement Hiew

Xref in AutoCAD means ‘external reference’ to other drawing files. One file can reference many other files and display them as an overlay (or background) on the main file.

Xrefs are usually used in larger projects to manage complexity of the main files, however, it is also beneficial in smaller and less complex projects where greater control of information layering is required.

In this example, we will look into creating a simple Xref of grid system for a floor plan:

Create a drawing file containing grid lines, grid tags and general dimensioning
Save file with an identifier name (i.e. 0-FP-A-GRID.dwg) and preferably under the same folder as the project file
In the project folder, create and open a new drawing file where the floor plan will be drawn In this case, we will name the floor plan file as 0-FP-A-UL.dwg
In 0-FP-A-UL.dwg, click Insert/External References
This will bring up the ‘External References’ window as follow. Pull down the ‘DWG icon’ on top right corner, select ‘Attach DWG’
In the ‘Select Reference File’ window, select the grid file 0-FP-A-GRID.dwg and click ‘Open’
This will bring up ‘Attached External Reference’ window. Check ‘Overlay’ under Reference Type and click ‘OK’
The grid file is now loaded into the floor plan file. It is recommended to assign a unique layer for the Xref file and have this layer locked to prevent accidental shift/moved from its origin
Building elements such as walls and columns can be drawn over the Xref file as follow with the grid lines as references
To manage Xref file, type “Xref” in the command prompt to bring up the ‘External References’ window again. Right click the Xref file for editing options (such as Unload) to temporary turning off the file or Detach to delete the file.

Author
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Clement Hiew

Contributor at AllaboutCad

Clement Hiew is a practicing registered architect and golf enthusiast. He has more than 20 years experience in using and perfecting architectural drafting using Autocad since R14.
He has recently started to adopt Revit in his architectural practice for 3D and BIM functionality.

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Wavez Residences

August 7, 2019 at 2:03 am

Hey! this is a great Autocad tutorial using Xref effectively for grid system on Floor plans.

Ricardo Herrera

August 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm

I would add some additional requirements for the grid line file. Set UNITS to decimal and the length and angle precision to the max possible. Make sure that the bottom left intersection of grid lines is placed at 0,0, or at another location where the digits beyond the decimal point are 0. It is much easier to confirm later (using the LIST command) that your other grid lines are exactly where they need to be, and they have not become skewed by mistake.

Ron

August 14, 2019 at 3:50 pm

After the external reference is placed in its unique layer, I’m used to lock that layer.
So it isn’t in the way when I’m selection things in the current dwg. Also the ext ref is displayed more transparent, as one can adjust according: menu-bar > tab ‘layer’ > pulldown > ‘locked layer fading’ > adjust with slider, or fill in the percentage. Command: LAYLOCKFADECTL
Another way to adjust the display of (all) the ext ref is: Options (or OP, enter) > tab ‘Display’ > Fade control ‘Xref Display’ > one should try out some adjustments to your own taste, it depends on the type of screen also.
Command: XDWGFADECTL

August 16, 2019 at 9:09 am