Text within Xref files or not

[fishervb]

More of my already failing hair committed suicide this morning....
Xrefs rule without a doubt, but it seems like there are better ways than the way we do it....
Do your companies put text in reference files? or do you put text in the plot sheets?
XR1 is referenced into a P1. Callouts, leaders, etc. are in XR1, but tables, notes, and the like are put in P1. (XR1 may be reffed into 8 or 10 files, but we turn off all the text in those other files.)
Is this a common method? How do your companies handle xrefs?

Fish :?:

[tatriest]

We keep the XREF's free from text because the get used for multiple disciplines.

We put annotations and dims on the drawing that gets 'sheeted'.

Terry

[Opie]

I use Terry's solution, but not due to multiple disciplines. It removes the possibility of different scale factors for different sheet types.

[tedg]

We too use allot of xrefs.
Like Terry & Opie, we don't put any text or scale sensitive objects in the xref base plans if we can help it. All text and dimensions are in the plot sheets in model space and general notes and schedules are in paperspace.

One exception is the Structural column base has the columns, column grid and column bubbles. The column bubbles are scaled to accommodate the largest scale overall plan. All the other disciplines us it in their work and for reference. They simply freeze that layer when they need to use a different scale bubble, where they place it in model space in the plot sheets.

Ps, I was in your area in September! I took my family to Hersheypark! We had allot of fun and I highly recommend it. It's kind of like a Universal Studios with a Chocolate theme.

[powermarc]

Our system here is like Ted's; the only annotation and text on our base plan xref are the column grids and grid bubbles. On a lot of our sheets, we need to be able to clip the xref and create an enlarged plan without being restricted by scale factor, line widths and annotation sizes. We use the same xref on plans that are 1/16" = 1'-0", down to detail sheets that are 1 1/2" = 1'-0".

[mom of 3]

I will have to say that our standards are to keep as little text in the base drawing as possible, such as mentioned above. All of our labeling, dimensioning, etc, is done as much as possible in the sheet file that the xref is attached to. I will also say, that I think, it depends on what your own discipline is, but I can not recall ever having done dims or text (other than maybe a street name or FFE) in the base file, with the exception of details. Having worked in both civil & structural, I would go with what you've read so far in this thread.

[revacservice]

There can not be one answer to this question, it all depends on how your organisation operates.

If for instance you are working in a multiple discipline office, say building services consultancy with hydraulic, electrical and mechanical services it makes sense to have each services drawing referencing a common Architectural background containing minimal notes.

If on the other hand you are a one man operation, like myself, I have one base file for each project which is referenced by two files containing the title blocks, one for the services layout and one for builders work.

In this way I can change emphasise of between drawings, like concrete plinths for equipment I want to stand out on the builders work drawing but not on the services layout. All the information is contained in the base file including notes, so I'm not constantly switching between files only accessing the title block files when I want to issue a drawing.

So there we have it a case for both sides of the argument, what works for one dose not necessarily suite the other.

Don Smith

[fishervb]

Thanks guys and gals! I appreciate your input.
I am trying to convince my superiors that using text inside of xrefs creates more than it solves. THe reasons that you give here are all valid reasons and are greatly appreciated!

8) cheers to all :beer: