Need list of DWG files referencing a drawing

[Cadtharsis]

We have some "Core drawings" that need to be moved. As in, the building itself has to be moved within the drawings. Obviously, any files that xref them will be impacted. I need to acquire a list of all the filenames of the drawings that will also need to be moved.

I have done my homework, and it seems you can do a search in DesignCenter to get such a list. However, the searched list cannot be copied in any way, except perhaps taking some screenshots, but then I would have to retype the list by hand, and that option is out, as the list for each core drawing is going to be hundreds of files long.

Does anyone have an idea?

[avdesign]

Would the Reference Manager Help?

[Cadtharsis]

Err... you tell me.

[rkmcswain]

See this thread

[Cadtharsis]

Sorry, what I really mean by "moved" is that I am changing the position of the building in the drawing.

[rkmcswain]

Sorry, what I really mean by "moved" is that I am changing the position of the building in the drawing.

If this drawing is xrefed in, after you edit it and when you open each child drawing, it will show in it's new location.

[Cadtharsis]

Right. But as the building is being moved, the "child" drawings will be off by that distance. They also have to be repositioned.

[rkmcswain]

Right. But as the building is being moved, the "child" drawings will be off by that distance. They also have to be repositioned.

In the child drawings, are the reference drawings inserted at 0,0,0 ?

If so, I don't see any reason to move them. Move the objects in the main drawing.

[Cadtharsis]

You aren't understanding this.

The building in the drawing must be moved 18" because the position is wrong, due to a misunderstanding during the construction process. The building in reality is about 18" from where the drawing is showing now. This matters, because there are other buildings on site, and everything must be accurate. If I go and move the building, there are many drawing files that reference it, and it will show up in a new position on those files. The objects those files contain must also be moved to match the new building position.

The (0,0,0) is a point on the site drawing, so the building in question is placed based on that, but the drawing of this particular building does not have it's own (0,0,0). Thank god the (0,0,0) point ISN'T on this drawing, or the rest of the entire site would be off.

Anyway, I need to know which files to fix, in the format of an electronic list that I can easily keep track of.

[Cadtharsis]

Anybody, feel free to jump right in...

[philpiper]

We used to use the attached lsp file to keep track of what was referenced where. I'm sure if you checked on the web you'd find a more up to date version which will run with the later versions of AutoCAD.

[ Forum Moderator Action Mode = ON ] Copyright material removed.

Routine can be downloaded from here ( Manage external references (http://new.cadalyst.com/code/tips/CodeSearch_Detail.cfm?ID=ALSP801) ).

Unless permission is obtained from CADalyst or the Author ( of a routine ), please do not post CADalyst - Get the Code - here on AUGI.com [ Forum Moderator Action Mode = OFF ]

[Cadtharsis]

*searches*

Not so far, no. I don't even know how to make this work on 2000. I don't know how this lisp stuff works.

[sschwartz85916]

*searches*

Not so far, no. I don't even know how to make this work on 2000. I don't know how this lisp stuff works.

Can't you change the insertion base point (insbase) for the xref'd drawing... and also put a circle with 2 lines indicating actual 0,0 one line represents the x direction and the other the y direction... just in case there is some confusion. (on defpoints with a line of text indicating the "insbase = 18,0,0 or 0,18,0 or something"

[Cadtharsis]

I don't quite understand... but that wouldn't seem to fix the problem of other drawings that xref this one still being off by 18in. because the building has moved. The objects in those drawings all need to move too.

Even if I did it your way, wouldn't I still need to do the same to all the files that xref this one?

[sschwartz85916]

I don't quite understand... but that wouldn't seem to fix the problem of other drawings that xref this one still being off by 18in. because the building has moved. The objects in those drawings all need to move too.

Even if I did it your way, wouldn't I still need to do the same to all the files that xref this one?

All of the "live" entities in each sheet would need to be moved at the 18" no matter what...
Personally, I lock the layer all of the xrefs are on, just so that the background never changes its' location. I would just select all and move it. (If everything is in model space, it shouldn't be too hard, just really really tedious. If the direction is, for example, 18" at 0 rotation, you could theoretically create a command on a button or keyboard command for the repetitiveness. Like -m;all;0,0,0;18,0,0; or -m;all;0,0,0,@18,0;

If you had a higher autocad version, you could use the reference manager...

[Cadtharsis]

I think that's getting to be too much. I can move the building no problem with just the move command. But you admit:
"All of the "live" entities in each sheet would need to be moved at the 18" no matter what..."

So the problem is getting a list of those files that xref this one so I can update their position. As I described in an earlier post, I did find one way, but was unable to acquire it in a format that could be seen outside of a DesignCenter search window.

"If you had a higher autocad version, you could use the reference manager..."

I'm in 2005, and I do have some sort of reference manager, but it does not have the funcionality to track files that reference the current drawing.

[sschwartz85916]

I think that's getting to be too much. I can move the building no problem with just the move command. But you admit:
"All of the "live" entities in each sheet would need to be moved at the 18" no matter what..."

So the problem is getting a list of those files that xref this one so I can update their position. As I described in an earlier post, I did find one way, but was unable to acquire it in a format that could be seen outside of a DesignCenter search window.

"If you had a higher autocad version, you could use the reference manager..."

I'm in 2005, and I do have some sort of reference manager, but it does not have the funcionality to track files that reference the current drawing.

DOH! Ok now I get it. But, I don't have an answer for you... :( There is no way I can think of, without going thru each file either way.

[Cadtharsis]

Arrgh, too bad.

I know somebody can think of a solution. Come on CAD wizards, this beast has yet to be felled.

[Opie]

Arrgh, too bad.

I know somebody can think of a solution. Come on CAD wizards, this beast has yet to be felled.
It is just not currently available at this time. Using the Search function of the Design Center will give you the list of files that a referencing a file. You just cannot export that list out to anything other than a Print Screen as an image.

[Cadtharsis]

Woo, confidence!