Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Bind and insert external references, and understand when to use each option.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
4 min.
Transcript
00:04
Now let's discuss binding and inserting X
00:07
refs.
00:08
Why would you want to bind or insert an X
00:11
ref
00:11
Well, some agencies actually require that all X refs
00:16
be binded or inserted
00:18
so that the X
00:19
refs are guaranteed to be with the sheet files.
00:22
And there's no chance of having an unresolved external reference error
00:27
in both cases of bind and insert
00:30
the X
00:31
ref
00:31
accompanies the host file because it is then inside of that file.
00:36
Let's go ahead and look at an example of binding and inserting.
00:41
I'll go ahead and
00:43
detach some of the XR
00:44
that we have in this sheet,
00:47
then
00:48
I'll bring one in at a time.
00:51
Let's say
00:52
the design new.
00:55
So with
00:57
the file X
00:58
ref in,
00:59
if we take a look at layers,
01:02
we can see how X
01:03
ref layers put the name of the file
01:06
and then the layer name binding and inserting will change this.
01:12
So if we go back to the X
01:14
ref dialogue box and right click,
01:17
you'll see the bind option.
01:19
As soon as you select this, this is where you have the ability to choose, bind
01:24
or insert.
01:25
So with the bind option selected, I'll click. OK?
01:30
And notice how that external reference no, no longer shows up in the list.
01:35
But the elements are here in the drawing.
01:38
If we now go back and look at layer properties,
01:42
notice the difference, the file name goes in the front
01:46
and then there's a dollar sign, $0 sign
01:49
and then the name of the layer after it.
01:51
After binding the X
01:53
ref the X
01:54
ref dependent layer names become locally filed layer names.
01:59
And the number in dollar sign number,
02:02
dollar sign is automatically incremented if a local symbol
02:07
table definition with the same name already exists.
02:11
Now, let's talk about the insert option.
02:14
The insert option is similar to the bind option
02:17
but you'll see a major difference with the layering.
02:22
Let's go ahead and undo
02:25
to get that drawing out of there.
02:27
I'll go ahead and X
02:29
ref
02:29
the design new
02:32
just like I did before. But this time
02:35
I'm going to go ahead and right. Click on it, choose bind.
02:39
And this time the insert option will be chosen instead,
02:44
it comes in just like it did with the bind option. But this time if we take a look for
02:51
the design new layers,
02:53
there are none.
02:54
What the insert option essentially does is merge the layers from the incoming
03:01
xref into the host drawing.
03:03
If there are duplicate layers between the two,
03:06
it places those objects on the same layer.
03:10
So for example, if we had
03:12
an X
03:13
ref layer
03:14
called design dash scale.
03:18
After binding with the insert option,
03:21
the X
03:22
ref dependent layer of design scale
03:26
now becomes a locally defined layer called
03:29
scale.
03:30
So you may ask why use insert over bind.
03:35
If you want the X
03:37
ref content to simply be merged into the host drawing without the evidence of any X
03:42
ref itself, then insert brings everything in on unique layers.
03:47
If you need the content to show the original layer properties,
03:51
then bind is the best option.
Video transcript
00:04
Now let's discuss binding and inserting X
00:07
refs.
00:08
Why would you want to bind or insert an X
00:11
ref
00:11
Well, some agencies actually require that all X refs
00:16
be binded or inserted
00:18
so that the X
00:19
refs are guaranteed to be with the sheet files.
00:22
And there's no chance of having an unresolved external reference error
00:27
in both cases of bind and insert
00:30
the X
00:31
ref
00:31
accompanies the host file because it is then inside of that file.
00:36
Let's go ahead and look at an example of binding and inserting.
00:41
I'll go ahead and
00:43
detach some of the XR
00:44
that we have in this sheet,
00:47
then
00:48
I'll bring one in at a time.
00:51
Let's say
00:52
the design new.
00:55
So with
00:57
the file X
00:58
ref in,
00:59
if we take a look at layers,
01:02
we can see how X
01:03
ref layers put the name of the file
01:06
and then the layer name binding and inserting will change this.
01:12
So if we go back to the X
01:14
ref dialogue box and right click,
01:17
you'll see the bind option.
01:19
As soon as you select this, this is where you have the ability to choose, bind
01:24
or insert.
01:25
So with the bind option selected, I'll click. OK?
01:30
And notice how that external reference no, no longer shows up in the list.
01:35
But the elements are here in the drawing.
01:38
If we now go back and look at layer properties,
01:42
notice the difference, the file name goes in the front
01:46
and then there's a dollar sign, $0 sign
01:49
and then the name of the layer after it.
01:51
After binding the X
01:53
ref the X
01:54
ref dependent layer names become locally filed layer names.
01:59
And the number in dollar sign number,
02:02
dollar sign is automatically incremented if a local symbol
02:07
table definition with the same name already exists.
02:11
Now, let's talk about the insert option.
02:14
The insert option is similar to the bind option
02:17
but you'll see a major difference with the layering.
02:22
Let's go ahead and undo
02:25
to get that drawing out of there.
02:27
I'll go ahead and X
02:29
ref
02:29
the design new
02:32
just like I did before. But this time
02:35
I'm going to go ahead and right. Click on it, choose bind.
02:39
And this time the insert option will be chosen instead,
02:44
it comes in just like it did with the bind option. But this time if we take a look for
02:51
the design new layers,
02:53
there are none.
02:54
What the insert option essentially does is merge the layers from the incoming
03:01
xref into the host drawing.
03:03
If there are duplicate layers between the two,
03:06
it places those objects on the same layer.
03:10
So for example, if we had
03:12
an X
03:13
ref layer
03:14
called design dash scale.
03:18
After binding with the insert option,
03:21
the X
03:22
ref dependent layer of design scale
03:26
now becomes a locally defined layer called
03:29
scale.
03:30
So you may ask why use insert over bind.
03:35
If you want the X
03:37
ref content to simply be merged into the host drawing without the evidence of any X
03:42
ref itself, then insert brings everything in on unique layers.
03:47
If you need the content to show the original layer properties,
03:51
then bind is the best option.
Industry:
How to buy
Privacy | Do not sell or share my personal information | Cookie preferences | Report noncompliance | Terms of use | Legal | © 2025 Autodesk Inc. All rights reserved
Sign in for the best experience
Save your progress
Get access to courses
Receive personalized recommendations
May we collect and use your data?
Learn more about the Third Party Services we use and our Privacy Statement. May we collect and use your data to tailor your experience?
Explore the benefits of a customized experience by managing your privacy settings for this site or visit our Privacy Statement to learn more about your options.