The inserted XReference comes in unbound. In this state, only the XReference itself is stored with the drawing, even though TPC renders all the entities in the XReference.
Selecting a Layer to Put the XReference On
There are two ways to turn the XReference on or off, once it is inserted into your drawing.
1.If you turn off the layer the XReference is inserted on, the XReference will NOT be shown in the drawing.
2.You can also turn off individual XReference layers as needed.
As a rule, you will want to add the XReference to a layer related to its purpose. For example, if the XReferenced drawing is a lighting plan for your project, you may want to put it on your ProposedLighting layer. That way, if you turn off your ProposedLighting layer, the XReference gets turned off also. However, if there are individual layers in the XReference you don't want to show, you can simply turn them off, leaving the ProporsedLighting layer turned on.
Calibrating an XRef
You can calibrate an XRef so that it exactly matches your survey's Coordinate Reference System, regardless of what coordinate system it's reference CAD file uses. Calibrating an XRef to your survey is a great way to work with any construction project where the coordinate system differs from your surveys and you want to track updates to the CAD drawings as the project is built.
If you have previously calibrated this XReference, TPC will prompt you to use the calibration. If you choose Yes, TPC will insert the XReference in it's calibrated position.
When you position the cursor over an XRef, TPC selects the XRef. Double clicking or right-click operate on the XRef.
To select an individual XRef object, first hold down the Ctrl key, then select the XRef object. At that point, only that individual object within the XReference will be selected.
XReference Layers
XReferences retain their layers in the TPC drawing. See XReference Layers.
To avoid layer name collision and to identify which layers belong to which XReferences, TPC uses CAD's convention of [filename]|[layer name] to name XReference layers.
XRef Layer Tools (2:55) - Learn how to explore and use layers in an CAD XReference.
CAD Files Supported
Currently, XReferences only work with DWG files.
Survey Files and XReferences
When you save a TPC survey, any drawings that include XReferences store just the XReference itself. So when you open a survey file and access one of its drawings, any XReferences in that drawing must reload their layers and objects from their referenced CAD file. This in essence, updates the XReference in the drawing, showing any changes that have been made to the CAD file since the survey was last saved.
Binding
Binding takes all the drawing layers and objects inside of the XReference and places them into the drawing as if they were added individually. The XReference is removed from the drawing.
Binding into a group is similar to a normal bind operation, but instead of the objects being added into the drawing individually they are added to a group and that group is added to the same layer the XReference was on. Again, the XReference is then removed from the drawing.
Unloading
Unloading an XReference removes the layers and objects in the reference from the drawing. The XReference itself is still a part of the drawing and still exists on the drawing layer it was inserted onto, but you won't see it displayed in the drawing.
Use the Drawing Data Manager to Reload an unloaded XReference. Select the XReference, right-click and choose XRef Tools, Load XRef.
Reloading
If an XReference has been unloaded, it will not be displayed in the drawing. To redisplay the XReference objects in the drawing, you need to reload the XReference.
Automatic Reloading
By default, a loaded XReference checks the referenced CAD file each time the TPC drawing is regenerated. If the CAD file has been updated, the XRef is automatically reloaded. However, you can TPC to disable this automatic reloading.
Manual Reloading
To disable this automatic reloading.
•Open the XReference's Properties dialog and turn on [X] Manually Reload XReference.
You are now responsible to reload the reference to see any updates in the referenced CAD file. This is what TPC calls Manual Reloading.
XRef Information
TPC lists any XRefs used by a drawing in the Drawing Data Manager. Just expand the XReference node to see the information.
You'll find the XRef's filename, number of points, status and the parameters used to reference to the XRef to the survey (translate, rotate, scale).
If an Xref used by a drawing is not available or has been renamed, you can use the View, Display Missing Blocks/Pictures command to display its stored pathname. You will see something like {C:\Data\Drawing1.dwg}.
To locate and update the XRef, double-click the bracket text or right-click it and choose Properties. TPC opens the XReference dialog where you can Browse to the location of the XRef file.
Using XReferences for Ongoing Projects
XReferences can make all the difference when you are working with on-going projects. They are the best way to stay current with changes that are made to the projects CAD files.
