External References are a method that a designer/engineer uses to read data from another DWG file. The advantage of this is that any changes that occur in the referenced file are automatically included in the file that references it. The problem with this for Earthwork 4D is that the externally referenced data is not actually present when exported to DXF.
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DXF Files |
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These are exported versions of the original DWG file. Data from External References, that were a part of the original file, are not always included as part of the exported DXF file unless the designer bound them to the original file and then exported the DXF If you received only a single DXF file from the designer, and not all the data from the plan sheets is on the data file, most likely there is an external reference file which needs to be obtained from the designer, or have the designer "Bind" the external references and give you the new DXF File. |
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DWG Files |
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When importing a DWG file, the program first looks for the xref in the same location as the current DWG file. If you have the DWG file with external references (xrefs), the xref DWG files must also be located in the same directory as your working file. If they are not, a warning message displays.
Pressing No continues to import the data without the xref files. You may choose No first to check and see if the missing xref files are necessary or not. --OR-- Pressing Yes opens another window to search for the file yourself and displays the following window.
The missing xref file displays in the File name: text box. If you received more than one file from the designer, switch to the directory where the xref file is located.
Selected from the list displayed in the window and press the Open button. The xref now displays with the other data on the CAD Transfer Mode screen. |
