In AutoCAD, greying out or fading an Xref (external reference) helps distinguish it from the main drawing, making it easier to work on specific parts of your design. This technique is particularly useful when dealing with complex drawings where the Xref is only needed as a reference and should not dominate the visual workspace. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different methods to grey out an Xref, including using system variables, layer locking, display settings, and transparency options.
Why Grey Out an Xref?
Greying out an Xref in AutoCAD can significantly improve your workflow. By fading the Xref, you can focus on the main objects in your drawing without the external reference cluttering your view. This is useful in various scenarios, such as architectural designs, mechanical layouts, or civil engineering projects, where the external reference (Xref) is essential but should not interfere with the current work.
How to Grey Out an Xref in AutoCAD
1. Use the XDWGFADECTL System Variable
The XDWGFADECTL system variable controls the fading of all DWG Xref objects in your drawing. This is the simplest and most direct way to grey out an Xref, and it applies to all external references in the drawing.
- Step 1: Type
XDWGFADECTLin the command line and press Enter. - Step 2: Enter a value between 0 and 90.
- A value of 0 shows the Xref in full color.
- A value of 90 makes the Xref very faint.
The higher the value, the more faded the Xref will appear on-screen. This method is especially helpful for providing a visual contrast between the Xref and the active objects in your drawing.
2. Fade Using Layer Locking (LAYLOCKFADECTL)
Another method for greying out an Xref is to lock its layer and adjust the fading amount using the LAYLOCKFADECTL system variable. This method is ideal if you want to lock an entire layer containing the Xref while still keeping it visible for reference.
- Step 1: Create a layer for your Xref in the Layers Manager (type
LAin the command line). - Step 2: Lock the Xref layer.
- Step 3: Type
LAYLOCKFADECTLin the command line and press Enter. - Step 4: Set the value between 0 and 90.
- A value of 50 means the Xref will be faded by 50%.
- The default value is 50, and the maximum is 90.
This feature is useful for reducing visual complexity in your drawing. The Xref will remain visible but less prominent, allowing you to focus on the unlocked layers. Keep in mind that this fading only affects the on-screen display, and the Xref will appear in full color when printed unless you enable transparency (see the next section).
3. Fade Through Display Settings
AutoCAD allows you to adjust Xref fading through its display settings, providing another way to control how Xrefs appear visually during your drawing activities.
- Step 1: Open the Options dialog box by typing
OPTIONSin the command line. - Step 2: Navigate to the Display tab.
- Step 3: In the Fade Control section, adjust the slider for Xref Fading. This controls how much the Xrefs fade while you’re working.
This method gives you a more visual approach to adjusting the fade intensity without using system variables. It’s also helpful when you want to modify the fading for multiple Xrefs in the drawing.
4. Adjust Layer Transparency
You can also grey out an Xref by adjusting the transparency of the layer it’s on. This method is particularly useful if you want to control the transparency in specific viewports or for certain objects within the layer.
- Step 1: Open the Layers Manager by typing
LAin the command line. - Step 2: Select the Xref’s layer and adjust the Transparency value. You can set it anywhere from 0% (opaque) to 90% (very transparent).
- Step 3: To apply the transparency only in specific viewports, adjust the VP Transparency value for the layer.
This method allows for more granular control of how the Xref appears within different layouts or viewports. Remember to enable Plot Transparency in the plot settings if you want the transparency effect to appear in the final printed output.
5. Plotting Greyed Out Xrefs
By default, the fade effect only applies to the on-screen display and will not affect the final plotted (printed) drawing. If you want to plot the drawing with faded Xrefs, you need to enable transparency in the plot settings:
- Step 1: Go to the Page Setup or Plot dialog box.
- Step 2: Ensure the Plot Transparency option is enabled. This will make sure the Xref remains faded in the final print.
Alternatively, you can adjust the Plot Style Table to control the pen output for the Xref’s layer. This is useful if you want to convert the Xref to grayscale or adjust its color for printing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, greying out Xrefs in AutoCAD is a powerful feature that allows you to streamline your workflow by reducing visual distractions. Whether you choose to use system variables like XDWGFADECTL or LAYLOCKFADECTL, adjust display settings, or modify layer transparency, you have multiple options for controlling the appearance of Xrefs in your drawing.
This technique is particularly useful in complex projects where multiple layers and external references are involved, such as in architecture, engineering, and construction. By fading the Xrefs, you can better focus on the active elements of your design, improve clarity, and enhance overall productivity.