Topic Title

We use a lot of Xref's in various ways and would like the ability at times to simply turn off the display of the xref (to speed up editing in a drawing) with only the Xref's bounding box and insertion point displayed. In addition, we'd also like the same for Symbols with only their outline and insertion point displayed.

Add X (xrefs) and S (Symbols) to SWOTHLUDFBK to allow quick toggles for these functions = SWOTHLUDFBKXS

We use Xrefs a lot but they can be problematic and slow. A possible alternative to having to use xrefs would be implementing sub-layers or layer groups where a layer can have sub-layers assigned to it. An example could be creating a layer called SURVEY then importing the surveyors many layers to be placed as sub-layers in the SURVEY layer. Another example is shown below which is part of the rendering software we use and allows layers to include sub-layers or layer groups. Some of the examples below show the layer -FRIDGE which when expanded shows the various layers inside that layer making up the components of the 3D fridge model with materials assigned.

For DataCAD users it would allow layers to be put into groups or collections for buildings on a site, various floor levels in multi-storey, room data sheet info for FFE drawings etc. It really opens up to alot of uses and allows the information to be included in the drawing file rather than as an xref. DataCAD would include a + or - in the Layer Menu to allow these layer groups to expand or collapse as needed to display or hide the sub-layer information.

032215a.jpg (55.66 KiB) Viewed 13938 times

I would appreciate having a "2 Points" option in the Rotated Dimensions menu, that works like the Tangents menu works. This would make it easier to angle the dim to match something in an XRef (or a symbol).

I would appreciate having a "2 Points" option in the Rotated Dimensions menu, that works like the Tangents menu works. This would make it easier to angle the dim to match something in an XRef (or a symbol).

When you select Rotated, you are prompted for an angle. In that angle menu, select Match then 2 Points.

Dave

That works - thanks!

Currently, a drawing file with self-xrefs that is purged to create a new file has the self-xrefs in the new file reference the earlier file(s). That means any changes made in the new file that use the self-xrefs don't have the changes updated. As the drawing file is successively purged these self-xrefs become outdated as they reference old information rather than the current drawing file information.

Wishlist - include a toggle when purging a file to allow a user to pick 'yes' to allow self-xrefs to update and reference the new purged file rather than the earlier source file.

Wishlist - include a toggle when purging a file to allow a user to pick 'yes' to allow self-xrefs to update and reference the new purged file rather than the earlier source file.

Here, here! I probably use self-xrefs exclusively on most projects (small rez/comm). This issue has been a bit cumbersome, especially at crunch time.

Currently, a drawing file with self-xrefs that is purged to create a new file has the self-xrefs in the new file reference the earlier file(s). That means any changes made in the new file that use the self-xrefs don't have the changes updated. As the drawing file is successively purged these self-xrefs become outdated as they reference old information rather than the current drawing file information.

Mark:

I don't believe this to be the case. Are you selecting Save As AEC... from the File pull-down of the Purge dialog? That process is already updating Self-XRefs to point to the new file.

Dave

Hello Dave,

Unusual one. Yes I purge with save as AEC. I think you're right and note the following which is causing the issue:

1. When I identify the self xref in the purged file it shows the path to a different project folder,

2. Checking the other project folder shows the self xref is not located in that directory but in the current working folder, its correct location,

3. At times I have to work on several projects at once and have multiple files open. I recall in this instance purging the file, then opening another file on a different project. It appears the purge saved the self xref into the other project folder. I have then cut and paste in Windows back into the correct folder, but the path of the xref is somehow still referencing the purged folder location even though the file does not exist there.

The above screenshot shows the self xref path referencing c:\datacad 15\drawings\d13424\doc\5520sk10(9).aec and a DOS listing showing it isn't at that location. I re-pathed the self xrefs back to the current folder and everything now updates and displays correctly.

Thanks.

I'd like the ability to keep the Reference File Manager (xrefs etc.) open when working as you can with the Layer File Manager. It will help speed up the editing process.

Currently when redefining an xref to a newer file, the updated file(s) reset themselves to ignore clipcubes. Can this be turned off or set to obey clipcubes or better still, match the previous xref settings it has updated.

Currently when redefining an xref to a newer file, the updated file(s) reset themselves to ignore clipcubes.
...or better still, match the previous xref settings it has updated.

Done for the next update.

Dave

Thanks Dave - appreciated.

Another wishlist for future releases - presently, if a drawing file which includes multiple xrefs crashes something happens to the xrefs or layer(s) with xrefs causing the file size to continue to get larger and purging the file has little effect in reducing the file size. Saving out the layer(s) containing the xref(s) shows over a number of subsequent drawing files how an original xref of 320kB grows to over 120MB on one project and on another over 500MB! having a fix that correctly purges and reduces drawing file sizes is certainly needed.

Other wishlist items include keeping the Reference Manager for xrefs open whilst working (similar to the LM), improve the speed when working with xrefs, allow changes to be made over multiple selected xrefs - presently, as soon as more than one xref is selected in the RFM, the layer control menu and GTV's etc. goes blank meaning only one xref at a time can be edited. If each xref takes approx. 6-8 minutes to open and access for editing and there are over 100 xrefs then most of the day is taken up making simple editing changes.

Thanks.

A temporary workaround to the issues resulting from files with active xrefs that crash causing the xrefs to 'grow' in size is to:

1. save out all the xref layers as a DLF as this will give an indication which xrefs are causing the problem as their file size will be large to very large compared to the original source file used as the xref,

2. erase the xref in the current file and reload the original xref, or,

3. go back to the earliest working file which had xrefs that weren't corrupted and replace the current xref with the earlier one,

4. re-saving the xref as a DLF will confirm it has a much smaller file size, ie. we've had a single xref DLF original at around 8Kb and corrupted at over 500MB,

We've managed to reduce file open, save, purge and editing times from around 45-50 minutes (opening a file) down to several seconds, and from several minutes to seconds with editing.

The big wishlist for xrefs is to work out a method that allows a file purge to restore the file size to what it was prior to the file crashing and the xref corrupting itself.