Working with AutoCAD Xrefs (External References) in a cloud storage environment like Google Drive requires careful path management to ensure drawings open correctly for all collaborators.

Key Principles for Xref Management: #

1. Use Google Drive for Desktop: Always open and work on your host DWG files (and their Xrefs) directly from the Google Drive folder created by the Google Drive for desktop application on your computer (via Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows). Do NOT download files from the web interface, edit them, and re-upload if Xrefs are involved, as this typically breaks paths.
2. Relative Paths are CRUCIAL:
   • When attaching Xrefs in AutoCAD, always use “Relative Path” as the path type.
   • This means AutoCAD looks for the Xref file in a location relative to where the host DWG file is saved.
   • For this to work, the host DWG and all its Xref DWGs must be within the same overall project folder structure that is synced by Google Drive.
   • Example:

     Project Alpha (in Google Drive)
       └── Drawings (Folder)
           ├── HostFile.dwg
           └── Xrefs (Folder)
               ├── Baseplan.dwg
               └── Details.dwg

     When HostFile.dwg attaches Baseplan.dwg, using a relative path, it might look for it at ..XrefsBaseplan.dwg (Windows) or ../Xrefs/Baseplan.dwg (Mac).

3. Consistent Folder Structure for All Users: Everyone working on the project must have the same relative folder structure for the project files synced via Google Drive for desktop. Shared Drives are excellent for ensuring this consistency.
4. Avoid Absolute Paths: Do not use “Full Path” or “Absolute Path” when attaching Xrefs. An absolute path (e.g., C:UsersYourNameDesktopProjectXref.dwg) is specific to one computer and will break when another user opens the host file on their machine.
5. “No Path” (Use with Caution): This option means AutoCAD only looks for the Xref in the exact same folder as the host DWG and in AutoCAD’s support paths. It’s less flexible than relative paths if you have Xrefs in subfolders.
6. Syncing is Key: Ensure Google Drive for desktop has fully synced all files (both host and Xrefs) before opening drawings, especially if another team member has recently updated them. Check the sync status icons.
7. Relinking/Repathing if “Not Found”:
   • Open the External References Manager in AutoCAD (command: XREF).
   • Select the Xref that’s not found.
   • In the details pane, look for the “Saved Path.”
   • Click the “…” button next to the Saved Path to browse and re-select the Xref file from its correct location within your Google Drive project folder, ensuring you’re selecting it via the path that Google Drive for desktop uses.
   • When re-pathing, AutoCAD will often ask if you want to apply this path change to other missing Xrefs; this can be helpful.
   • Crucially, ensure the path type is set to Relative after re-pathing. You may need to manually edit the “Saved Path” in the Xref Manager to be a correct relative path (e.g., starting with . or ..).

Troubleshooting Common Xref Issues: #

• “Not Found”: Usually means the path is incorrect (often due to absolute paths being used previously), the Xref file wasn’t synced, or it was moved/renamed. Verify paths and sync status. Ensure the relative path structure is maintained.
• Different Versions: If users are working offline extensively without syncing, they might create conflicting versions. Regular syncing minimises this.