5. Referencing & Xrefs
External referencing (Xrefs) is required on all multi-file CAD submissions for ATL capital projects. Proper use of Xrefs ensures clean file management, facilitates coordination between disciplines, and improves drawing performance.
General Requirements
- Xrefs must be attached as external references (not embedded or inserted as blocks).
- Do not explode or bind Xrefs unless specifically instructed to do so for final deliverables.
- Xrefs must retain their original coordinate alignment and must not be repositioned using UCS or manual shifting.
Path Settings
All Xrefs must be attached using relative paths. Do not use full (absolute) paths that point to local or desktop directories.
- Set the working folder and relative path correctly using AutoCAD’s
REFERENCE MANAGER. - Folder structure should be preserved when submitting deliverables to ATL.
Naming Conventions
Xref filenames must comply with the ATL file naming standard:
[ProjectNumber]_[Discipline]_[SheetNumber]_XREF.dwg- Example:
2340_A1_010_XREF.dwg
Layer and Object Management
- Xrefs should be inserted on a dedicated layer (e.g.,
XREF-ARCH,XREF-CIVIL). - Do not freeze or override Xref layers unless instructed by ATL’s design coordination team.
- Maintain layer visibility and plotting standards as defined in Section 2.2.
Overlay vs. Attachment
Use the “Overlay” method when attaching Xrefs unless there is a specific need to pass the reference to nested drawings. This prevents circular references and file bloat.
Quality Control Checklist
- All attached Xrefs resolve correctly without errors or missing paths.
- No redundant or unused Xrefs are present in the drawing file.
- Xref layers are properly grouped and named according to ATL layer standards.
Suggest an Edit
If you have a suggested change to this standard, please submit it below:
[fluentform id=”1″]