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Attach external reference files from the cloud in Civil 3D

Attach external reference files, or xrefs, from the cloud in your Civil 3D drawing.


00:03

You can use external reference files, or xrefs, from the cloud in your Civil 3D drawing.

00:09

This allows multiple team members to work on distinct parts of a project simultaneously,

00:15

while maintaining consistency and ensuring that each team member has access to the information needed.

00:21

With your drawing open in Civil 3D, begin as you would to attach any xref.

00:26

Type “xref” on the command line, or on the ribbon, View tab, Palettes panel, click External References Manager.

00:35

In the External References Manager, right-click and select Attach DWG.

00:41

Now, in the Select Reference File dialog, navigate to your cloud project files within Autodesk Docs,

00:48

and select the files that you want to reference.

00:51

In this case, Roadway-Utilities.dwg and Roadway-Fiber.dwg are selected.

00:59

Click Open.

01:01

In the Attach External Reference dialog, ensure that the Path Type is set to Relative Path.

01:07

Note that you must use this setting when referencing files in the cloud, because full paths are not allowed.

01:13

Adjust the remaining settings as needed, and then click OK.

01:17

Now, you can see that both files are referenced.

01:21

Back in the File References Manager, select Roadway-Fiber, and the fiber optic line highlights in the drawing.

01:28

Likewise, select Roadway-Utilities to highlight the utility line.

01:33

It also works in reverse.

01:36

Select the fiber optic line in the drawing, and it highlights in the File References Manager.

01:41

Leveraging xrefs from the cloud in your Civil 3D drawing can help improve collaboration on your project,

01:47

since everyone can access what they need.

Video transcript

00:03

You can use external reference files, or xrefs, from the cloud in your Civil 3D drawing.

00:09

This allows multiple team members to work on distinct parts of a project simultaneously,

00:15

while maintaining consistency and ensuring that each team member has access to the information needed.

00:21

With your drawing open in Civil 3D, begin as you would to attach any xref.

00:26

Type “xref” on the command line, or on the ribbon, View tab, Palettes panel, click External References Manager.

00:35

In the External References Manager, right-click and select Attach DWG.

00:41

Now, in the Select Reference File dialog, navigate to your cloud project files within Autodesk Docs,

00:48

and select the files that you want to reference.

00:51

In this case, Roadway-Utilities.dwg and Roadway-Fiber.dwg are selected.

00:59

Click Open.

01:01

In the Attach External Reference dialog, ensure that the Path Type is set to Relative Path.

01:07

Note that you must use this setting when referencing files in the cloud, because full paths are not allowed.

01:13

Adjust the remaining settings as needed, and then click OK.

01:17

Now, you can see that both files are referenced.

01:21

Back in the File References Manager, select Roadway-Fiber, and the fiber optic line highlights in the drawing.

01:28

Likewise, select Roadway-Utilities to highlight the utility line.

01:33

It also works in reverse.

01:36

Select the fiber optic line in the drawing, and it highlights in the File References Manager.

01:41

Leveraging xrefs from the cloud in your Civil 3D drawing can help improve collaboration on your project,

01:47

since everyone can access what they need.

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