Cadtales

Reference Manager

by Jim Rogers,
CADreps

Autodesk Reference Manager (RM) is a stand-alone application that can be accessed from the Autodesk program group under Programs in the Start menu (Windows) (See Figure 1). It is useful for editing reference paths in one or more AutoCAD drawing files, without opening the files themselves, and saving the revised path information.

Figure 1

RM is a simple, but effective program – with limited functions and easy instructions. Rather than repeat a lot of the built-in Help features here we suggest you read the entire instruction set before using the program on real CAD files. See Figure 2. We’ll introduce you to RM and try to stimulate your interest in exploring the benefits of using the program.

Figure 2

RM will list references from multiple files and multiple reference paths can be changed at once. AutoCAD drawings can reference several types of external files including other drawings, text fonts, images and plot configurations. The paths to these referenced files are saved in each AutoCAD drawing. Pathing variations occur when files are moved, deleted or un-available for network permissions, drive mapping or other reasons.

Operational Limitations:

1. There is no UNDO function in RM as you will be operating on reference paths from outside the drawing file.

2. It is imperative that RM re-pathing operations take place on quality AutoCAD files. See our Cadtales article on Drawing Integrity for guidelines and suggestions.

3. RM does not currently support all files referenced by drawings. Unsupported references include text fonts not associated with a text style, OLE links, hyperlinks, database file links, PMP files, and external references to URLs on the Web. If RM encounters an xref to a URL, it reports the reference as "not found."

4. Edited paths for TrueType fonts are not saved. AutoCAD always searches for TrueType fonts in the Windows Fonts folder.

5. Use RM to only operate on files that are closed and have the Windows file attribute property set to read/write. (Changes to open and read-only files will not be saved).

6. It is recommended that you do not use AutoCAD to edit the paths of xrefs that are nested more than one level deeper than the current drawing file. Therefore, RM is a convenient tool to edit/restore the xref path information in these drawings.

7. Drawings with edited reference paths will be saved in the current version.

8. Need we say it? Do not use this program to edit your only copy of a file

Overview – When AutoCAD drawing files, or the external files that they reference, are relocated, use RM to modify the reference file paths saved in the drawings.

Quick Summary

1. Drawings and xrefs should be closed and read/write.

2. Click the Add Drawings button to add drawings and folders of drawings to the tree view (left pane). Click “Yes” to add references from xrefs as well. (See Figure 3)

3. Select drawings or references from the tree view pane. Click the “+” sign to expand and view reference categories. (See Figure 4)

4. Select a reference category to sort the References list in the right pane. Select a drawing to view all references. Unresolved references are indicated by an “!” mark in the Status column. (See Figure 5 for a sample list of references).

5. In the right pane select the files with reference paths to be modified. Use Windows Shift and Control keys to select a range or group. Right click and select Edit selected paths . . . See Figures 6 – 7. Use the Copy to Clipboard & Find and Replace functions if convenient.

6. Enter the new path in the Edit Selected Paths dialog box window or use the Browse button [. . .] to point to a location. Click OK when done. See Figure 8.

7. Click Apply to save the path changes to the drawing file and update the *.BAK file. See Figure 9.

8. Review the Details report to confirm the changes.

9. Save the log file (if enabled) for an audit record.

Figure 3

Figure 4

The RM window is divided into two panes. The left pane displays a tree view of the drawings you select and lists the external files they reference in the right pane. (See Figure 4)

Figure 5

Figure 6

Use Windows Shift & Control keys to select a range or group of files. Right click and pick “Edit Selected Paths . . .” (See Figure 6) or click the Edit Selected Paths button (above the Type column) on the menu bar (See Figure 7) to open the Edit dialog box.

Figure 7

Enter the new file path in the Edit Selected Paths dialog box window or use the Browse button [. . .] to point to a location. Click OK when done. See Figure 8.

Figure 8

Figure 9

Apply Path Changes – After you change one or more saved reference paths, use Apply to save the changes to the drawing files(s). Only the references with the pencil icon in the Status column of the Reference list are affected by Apply. See Figure 9.

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