AutoCAD

How to Hide Xclip Boundary in AutoCAD?

by Wei Zhang
3 min read

Understanding Xclip Boundaries in AutoCAD

When working with external references (Xrefs) in AutoCAD, you may find the boundaries of the Xclip visible in your drawing, which can clutter your workspace. To enhance the clarity of your design, it is essential to learn how to hide these boundaries effectively.

Steps to Hide Xclip Boundaries in AutoCAD

  1. Open Your Drawing: Launch AutoCAD 2025 and load the drawing containing the Xref with the visible clipping boundary.

  2. Access the Command Line: Use the command line, typically located at the bottom of the AutoCAD window, to initiate your commands.

  3. Set the FRAME Variable: This variable controls the visibility of the clipping frame. Type FRAME in the command line and press Enter.

  4. Change the Frame Setting: When prompted, enter 0 and hit Enter again. This action hides the clipping frame associated with your Xclip, making the boundaries invisible.

  5. Modify Other Options if Needed: If the Xclip boundary remains visible due to other settings, ensure that the ‘VIEW’ settings do not show object frames. You may also want to explore additional visibility tools to manage other elements in your drawing.

Managing Visibility Settings

  • Using the Layer Properties Manager: You can also control visibility through the Layer Properties Manager. Open this by typing LAYER in the command line. From there, locate the layer that contains the Xref. You can turn off or freeze the layer to hide the Xclip boundary entirely.

  • Utilizing the Isolate Command: An alternative approach is to isolate certain objects. Select the objects you want to remain visible, right-click, and choose Isolate followed by Hide Objects. This method temporarily hides unwanted elements, including Xclip boundaries.

Additional Considerations

  • Saving Your Preferences: After setting the boundary visibility to your preference, save your drawing to retain these settings for future sessions.

  • Checking Other Variables: If the boundary still appears, check other system variables that might influence their visibility, such as XCLIPFRAME. Setting this variable to 0 will also ensure that clipping frames remain hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I temporarily show Xclip boundaries after hiding them?
Yes, you can toggle the visibility of Xclip boundaries by changing the FRAME variable back to 1. This will make the boundaries visible again until you set it back to 0.

2. Will hiding Xclip boundaries affect the display of the actual Xref?
No, hiding the Xclip boundaries will not affect the display of your Xref itself. The Xref will remain visible; only the boundary that indicates clipping will be hidden.

3. Is there a way to hide clipping boundaries for specific views?
Absolutely. You can create viewports in a layout and adjust the visibility of the boundaries per viewport, allowing for tailored visibility as required in different sections of your drawing.

About the author

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang is a renowned figure in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) industry in Canada, with over 30 years of experience spanning his native China and Canada. As the founder of a CAD training center, Wei has been instrumental in shaping the skills of hundreds of technicians and engineers in technical drawing and CAD software applications. He is a certified developer with Autodesk, demonstrating his deep expertise and commitment to staying at the forefront of CAD technology. Wei’s passion for education and technology has not only made him a respected educator but also a key player in advancing CAD methodologies in various engineering sectors. His contributions have significantly impacted the way CAD is taught and applied in the professional world, bridging the gap between traditional drafting techniques and modern digital solutions.

View all posts

You may also like