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Add Annotation Scales to Multiple Xrefs from the Host Drawing
Tip# 3950 By Tawfik Shehata On 13-Aug-2012
5
Rated By 1 users
Categories : Edit Text
Software type : AutoCAD 2013
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Change settings to assign annotation scales to annotative objects inside xrefs.

Tawfik Shehata sent us a tip about adding annotation scales to AutoCAD objects.

"If you are working on a drawing with multiple xrefs attached to it, and you need to assign one or more annotation scales to the annotative objects inside those xrefs, try this method:

  1. While in the host file, make both the Annotation Scale Visibility and the Autoscale icons active (the icons are located at the bottom-right corner of your AutoCAD window). If you can’t find the icons, set STATUSBAR to 1, 2, or 3.
  2. If you are in model space, set the annotation scale (next to the two icons mentioned above) to the desired scales one after the other; each time you select a value, it will be added automatically into each xref file.

"(You can do the same in paper space using a viewport.) As soon as you are done, make sure to switch these two icons back to their inactive state to avoid adding more scales to your xrefs accidently, as you can’t remove these scales with the Undo command (these icons are not supposed to be on all the time anyway). In order to enable the host drawing to save the annotation scales into your xrefs, all their files must not be opened at the time you do this.

"Does this sound like a lengthy method? It's still a lot faster than opening each xref or editing it in place (if RefEdit was allowed)."

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Reviewer Brian Benton: I don’t think this is a lengthy method at all. In fact, it’s rather simple: Just turn on ANNOAUTOSCALE and ANNOALLVISIBLE, and change the scale setting! Very quick and easy.

 

Average Rating:
5


User comments
Comment by Azbell,Nicholas
Posted on 2012-08-13 14:22:06
This seems dangerous. We may not want all annotative objects within the base files to have every scale.
Comment by Shehata,Tawfik
Posted on 2012-08-13 23:05:24
Dear Nicholas Azbell With any mass or automated process there’s always limitations and risks. In this particular case, to exclude annotative objects, LOCK their layers IN THE HOST drawing while applying the scales.
Comment by Viscetto,Michael
Posted on 2012-08-14 10:00:38
I can certainly see where this would be useful. Thanks for the tip.
Comment by kumar,Sandeep
Posted on 2015-03-16 07:28:15
OOps, but what to do when my all xref files are saved without any warning and information? Is this logical when ANNOAUTOSCALE and ANNOALLVISIBLE are turned on then all my reference drawing will be saved with host drawing? I tried this case and my reference drawings are saved automatically when my host drawing is saved!
Comment by Bancos,Celeste
Posted on 2015-08-12 10:15:44
Be very careful when using this method. I have had problems with XREFs getting corrupted after changing their scales in this way. It's best to make a backup of the files so you don't lose your work.