Removing an External Link in AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a powerful software tool used by architects, engineers, and designers to create precise and detailed drawings. One of the features of AutoCAD is the ability to link external files such as images, spreadsheets, or other CAD drawings to your project.
However, there may come a time when you need to remove or update these external links. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of removing an external link in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Opening the External References Manager
To remove an external link in AutoCAD, you first need to open the External References Manager. You can do this by clicking on the “Manage Links” button on the Insert tab of the Ribbon or by typing “XREF” in the command line and pressing Enter.
Step 2: Selecting the External Link
Once the External References Manager is open, you will see a list of all the external links in your drawing. Scroll through this list and select the link that you want to remove by clicking on it. The selected link will be highlighted.
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If you are not sure which link to remove, you can use the preview feature by selecting a link and clicking on the “Preview” button at the bottom of the manager. This will show you a preview of the linked file, helping you identify it.
Step 3: Removing the External Link
After selecting the external link that you want to remove, click on the “Detach” button at the bottom of the manager. A confirmation dialog box will appear asking if you want to detach and unload selected references. Click “Yes” to proceed with removing the selected link.
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If you want to keep a copy of any changes made to the external reference before removing it, you can select the “Detach with Retain Data” option. This will detach the link but retain any changes made to the linked file.
Step 4: Checking for Unresolved References
After removing an external link, it’s important to check for any unresolved references in your drawing. Unresolved references are links that AutoCAD couldn’t find or load.
To check for unresolved references, go to the External References Manager and look for any links marked as “Unloaded” or “Not Found”. If you find any unresolved references, you can either reattach them or remove them completely.
Step 5: Saving and Closing
Once you have removed the external link and resolved any other issues, it’s time to save your drawing. Click on the “Save” button on the Quick Access Toolbar or press Ctrl + S on your keyboard. You can then close AutoCAD or continue working on your project.
NOTE:
Removing an external link in AutoCAD permanently detaches it from your drawing. Make sure you have a backup copy of any files that were linked before removing them.
In conclusion, removing an external link in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that involves opening the External References Manager, selecting the link you want to remove, detaching it, checking for unresolved references, and saving your drawing. By following these steps, you can manage and update your drawings effectively.