SQOTD: Resolving Multiple XREFS

Q - Is there a lisp program available to redirect the saved path for xrefs when the directory changes on the network? (e.g. xrefs once located in N:\Drawings\Building\ are now found in P:\Eng\Shared\Drawings\). Looking for a better way than to doing them all manually for every drawing that gets opened.

A - There's an even better way than using a LISP routine.

There is a little-known utility that has come with AutoCAD for years that will do just what you are looking for. Look for a file named ADREFMAN.exe. This should be located in your AutoCAD folder: C:\Program Files\AutoCAD Civil 3D 200X\

[If you can't find AdRefMan.exe, look on your install DVD.]

When the manager is open, click Add Drawings. Browse to the folder where your drawings are now stored and select as many as you need.

Next, AutoCAD will ask you if you want to "Add Xrefs regardless of nesting level" or "Add only first level Xrefs". Most people should choose Add only first level Xrefs.

The manager will show you any DWG's, Images, Plot Styles or Fonts it thinks you need.

On the right hand side of the box, expand By Reference and highlight the XREFS to narrow down the listing.

Using your shift key, multi-select the unresolved XREF drawings on the right. Click Find and Replace .

Replace the old path with the new, then click Replace All.

[In this example, all of my path types were set to Relative when I created the references, therefore I am seeing just a period (.) instead of a full path for my saved path.]

Click Apply Changes at the top of the window to save the results.

You should be ready to keep working!

Mass Haul for the Masses

Until recently, I cringed when users asked me about mass haul diagrams in Civil 3D, mostly because I didn't know a mass haul diagram from a hole in the ground.

I wrote the following paper to FORCE myself to learn. Happy hauling!

Civil 3D/Revit Jamboree: Part 2

Getting a Revit Building into Civil 3D 2008.

Imagine this: You are a civil engineer working for an AEC firm and you want to make sure the building pad you designed will work with the building the architects designed in Revit Architecture 2008. Roll up those flannel shirt-sleeves and get ready to get to work.

First, truck yourself over to the architecture area to ask them a favor. There is no shame in looking to see if there are donuts in the break room on the way. From Revit, the architect needs to export to a DWG format.

It's important to get a simplified version of the project. If they have an exterior-only version, use that. These files start to get BIG. A complex Revit structure will take forever to manipulate back on the Autocad side of things.

Have the dude go to File > Export > CAD Formats.

The next window you fellas will see is where to save the thing. Save it to a network location you can get to. It won't take long, so this would not be a good time to engage the drafter in a conversation about ice-fishing or Brett Favre's career.

Back at your desk, clear the Camero screen saver and get back into Civil 3D.

The next thing you should do is open up the Revit drawing on its own to do a little cleanup. Delete any unnecessary objects such as interior fixtures or furniture. Simplify it as much as possible.

Also - figure out where this drawing lies in space. We will ultimately be inserting this as a block, so figure out where 0,0,0 is located. If it does not jive with your coordinate system (and it probably won't) use a combination of the INSBASE command and/or MOVE to get this where you want it. In my example, I set the insertion base point to 0,0,0 and then moved the elements so that the lower left building corner was at 0,0,0 too.

Now we're ready to save and close the architectural dwg and open up the civil project where this will sit. It is okay at this point to refill your Ducks Unlimited mug with fresh black coffee.

Insert the drawing as a block.

Get the building in the correct location in the XY plane. It's best to place it as close as possible from the Insert dialog box because this will be a beast to move after the fact. Apply any rotations here if possible. DO NOT EXPLODE...yet.




Once the Revit building is in the site we can use some new Surface utilities to lift it in the Z direction. Go to Surfaces > Utilities > Move Blocks to Surface...

Select the Revit block.
Click OK.

So, there you have it. If things look good and the building is in the correct location - feel free to explode the block. Once it is exploded you can do all kinds of fun stuff like apply render materials. Or you can leave that to the artsy-fartsy people.