Xref error The path 'E:\WPB Condo Base.dwg' contains too many ".."!

dave loucks

I got this dwg from a client. I put the main dwg and the xref in the same folder. They had it on a server with a path so deep and nested that it can't be real or it is error. So when I open the dwg and Bricscad Pro 12.2.8 loads the xref, I keep getting this error message every few seconds.
I understand that the saved path is invalid, but it is loading from a relative path.
If I open the same dwg up in Autocad 2010, I get no error message. Though I should mention that I have turned off all messages, error or otherwise, that I know of in Autocad.
Is there a way to turn of xref error messages, dwg checks, or anything like that?
This is preventing me from using the dwg.

Roy Klein Gebbinck

This lisp code works for an xref called "A". To make it work for your situation change "A" and "A.dwg" to the name of your xref.
[code](vla-put-path (vla-item (vla-get-blocks (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object))) "A") ".\\A.dwg")[/code]

Jason Bourhill

Hi Dave,

I would consider raising a support request. You stated that you placed the drawing and xref in the same drawing folder, which should work in Bricscad without issue.

There are some non-programming approaches to fix broken paths. First step is to place the xrefs in the same folder as the drawing, which you have done. Then you can either:

• Open drawing explorer (Ctrl+2), and under the External Reference section select on the Saved Path for your xref. You should find that you can edit the path and file name directly (I often copy and paste the path from windows explorer), or pick on the button to browse to where the xref is located.

• Use eTransmit to force a reference link update. Go through the normal process for eTransmit, and when you get to the eTransmit options dialogue make sure you tick the update path options. This will update the drawing to the current xref location.

The above methods can also be used to resolve the same issue with Images. Attach some screen grabs to illustrate what I mean.

Hope this is of help.

Regards,

Jason Bourhill

CAD Concepts

ExplorerChangeSavedPaths.png

eTransmitUpdatePaths.png

John Kennedy

I just encountered the same issue.  When you attempt to redirect the path an error box pops up, when you click OK it continues to pop up.  VERY irritating. I sometimes run into this when we work on a drawing in Dropbox, then move it over to our network.

Ricardo Zaccheo

Same problems here: it's imposible to select the xref in the xref manager and manually edit the path. The pop-up window is very irritating and it's impossible to close!

martin@enco.us

Same here.

Jason Bourhill

Have you guys tried:

1. Raising a support request. Provide details that you cannot edit long paths from Drawing Explorer.
2. Use ._-XREF to re-path xrefs from the command line
   
3. Use e-transmit to re-path the xrefs for you.
4. Set XREFNOTIFY = 0 to turn off notification messages for missing xrefs.
   

Regards,

Jason Bourhill

CAD Concepts

dave loucks

Just an update and sort of a reply.

First, thank you to Jason who is trying to help.

Next, my version of Bricscad does not support XREFNOTIFY. I don't know, maybe that is a new feature of 13. My version 12 says unable to recognize command.

I solved the problem by opening it on another computer with Autocad and then saving it with a relative path.
Bricscad is what I use at home on the odd occasions I draft on my laptop. Since I use Autocad at the office, I have not really run into this since then.
If I did, I would use my solution above.

For me, this error has a workaround. For those that don't have access to Autocad, I think Jason's idea of a support request is an excellent idea.

Jason Bourhill

Hi Dave,

XREFNOTIFY is V13. V13 also provides similar options relating to missing PDFs, and Images. Perhaps you could trial V13 to see whether the situation/options have improved.

Just to clarify on how BricsCAD searches for block definitions & external dependencies. I believe BricsCAD searches for the objects definition in the following order (perhaps Bricsys could confirm):

1. Within the current drawing.
2. The BricsCAD "start in" folder. If you're starting from a shortcut it will be the folder stated under "Start In". If you have started BricsCAD by double clicking on a drawing in explorer, then that will be your Start In folder.
3. The folder of the current drawing.
4. The folders listed in you Support File Search Path (SRCHPATH). BricsCAD will search in the order that the folders have been listed.
5. The folders listing in the Projects Search Path (ProjectSearchPaths), for the project name (PROJECTNAME) set in the current drawing. BricsCAD will search in the order that the folders have been listed.
6. In the folder referenced by the dependency.

Ideally when you receive drawings from others, they will have used _ETRANSMIT to package the drawing and any dependencies up. In doing so they also have the option of removing the path of dependencies (XREF, IMAGE, PDF, DWF), or use a structured folder format. If the haven't done this, then you can use _ETRANSMIT to fix by Placing all the dependencies in the same folder as the current drawing, then use _ETRANSMIT making sure you check the options to update image and xref paths. You then replace the original drawings with the etransmitted ones.

You can make use of ProjectSearchPaths & PROJECTNAME if you want to place your dependencies in different folders. You can make use of _SHEETSET if you want to process multiple drawings. Or you can use the DWGCONVERT feature included with DWG TrueView

Have a more info here on using _ETRANSMIT
http://www.cadconcepts.co.nz/using-etransmit/

Regards,

Jason Bourhill

CAD Concepts