How to work with DWG with X-Ref files in CAD

Question

I have been sent a .dwg file with referenced files (X-Ref).

How do I open them in RealCAD, LANDWorksCAD or ArborCAD?

Answer

The first step, make sure all the .dwg files (including X-Ref files) are in the same folder.

Open your CAD program, then go to File > Import > DWG

RealCAD File Import DWG

Browse to the folder that contains all the .dwg files (main and references), select all the files by dragging a rectangle with your mouse, then click OK.

RealCAD Selecting Multiple DWG Files

Each of the files will open. Make sure you select the right import options (same for all .dwg files)

RealCAD DWG / DXF Import Options

Once the process has finished, all the DWG files should have been converted to CAD extension.

Go to File > Open and select the main file (CAD extension). This should bring the X-Ref files.

Bear in mind that, if the files were created inAutoCAD®, the title blocks could be inserted in composed drawings.

RealCAD Composed Drawing Sample