Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Practice Exam

When moving an xref to a different folder, what is the best practice to ensure links are maintained?

1. Use absolute paths for the xrefs

2. Keep xrefs in the same parent folder

3. Set references to relative paths

4. Avoid moving xrefs unless necessary

The correct answer is: Set references to relative paths

Using relative paths for xrefs is considered the best practice when moving them to a different folder because relative paths maintain the link between the host drawing and the xref based on their location relative to one another. This means that if both the host drawing and the xref are located within the same directory structure, moving them together to a new location will not break the link, as AutoCAD will still be able to find the xref based on its relative position. When a relative path is established, AutoCAD simply references the location of the xref in relation to the location of the drawing file. This flexibility allows for easier organization of project files and a smoother workflow when collaborating with others or transferring projects between different machines or storage locations. It also reduces the risk of encountering broken xref links when moving files around, which can cause disruptions in the drawing process. In contrast, absolute paths can create issues if the file structure changes. Keeping xrefs in the same parent folder can be practical but may not be essential if relative paths are employed correctly. Lastly, while avoiding moving xrefs is a way to prevent link breaks, it shouldn't be the preferred approach, as effective file management often requires some level of moving files as projects evolve.