MET
THFree trial

Manual / Block & Symbol

External Reference (XREF, XATTACH, XCLIP, XBIND)

Attach other DWG/DXF files as External References, clip their boundary (XCLIP), and merge them into the drawing (XBIND).

What it does

An External Reference (Xref) shows a drawing from another file as a reference background without copying it into your drawing.

Command Alias Format Meaning
XREF XR – Opens the External References window (Attach, Reload, Show/Hide, Detach)
XATTACH XA – Choose a DWG/DXF file to attach
XCLIP XC XCLIP [Delete] [index] Shows only the part of the Xref inside the selected closed shape
XBIND XB XBIND [index] Copies the Xref objects into the drawing (onto Layer XREF-<file name>) and breaks the link

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Insert › Reference › Attach / XREF Manager

External References window
External References window

Steps

  1. Choose Insert › Reference › Attach (or type XA) and select a file.
  2. Open XREF to see the list. Use Reload when the source file changes, Show/Hide, or Detach.
  3. To clip: draw a closed shape, select it, then run XCLIP (delete the clip with XCLIP D).
  4. Before you send the drawing to someone else, use XBIND or ETRANSMIT.

Try it: Back-plate layout over the enclosure drawing

The enclosure supplier's drawing stays in its own file. You attach it as an Xref and lay out DIN rails and wiring ducts on top, so a new revision from the supplier just needs Reload.

  1. New drawing for the enclosure: REC 0,0 → 600 Tab 800, REC 25,25 → 550 Tab 750, and four Ø10 fixing holes C radius 5 at 12.5,12.5, 587.5,12.5, 12.5,787.5 and 587.5,787.5. Save it as enclosure_600x800.dwg.
  2. Start another new drawing and choose Insert › Reference › Attach (XA). Pick enclosure_600x800.dwg. It appears faded at 0,0.
  3. Three 35 mm DIN rails: REC 100,632.5 → 400 Tab 35, then the same at 100,432.5 and 100,232.5.
  4. Two vertical wiring ducts: REC 50,90 → 40 Tab 620 and REC 510,90 → 40 Tab 620.
  5. Note: DT with Text height 18, BACK PLATE - 3 DIN RAILS + 2 DUCTS at about 60,50.
  6. Open XREF to see the attached file. Use Reload whenever the enclosure file changes.

Faded enclosure Xref with three DIN rails and two ducts drawn on top
Faded enclosure Xref with three DIN rails and two ducts drawn on top

Challenge: Before you send the job out, run XBIND so the enclosure becomes part of your drawing on its own layer.

See also