About Reference Explorer

Important: The following video provides a detailed workflow on how to use the Reference Explorer in Desktop Connector. We encourage you check the details after the video. The extra content provides useful tips and problem-solving methods that might not be in the video.

Topics in this Section

• Reference Explorer File Relationships
• Files not in a Connector
• Files in a Connector
• Using Reference Explorer

Reference Explorer File Relationships

Desktop Connector understands and maintains references between design files. Reference Explorer enables you to visualize all referenced files in a dataset as well as the relationships between them for:

• Xrefs (external references).
• Drefs (data shortcuts).
• Both Xref and Dref.
• Whether the relationship is an overlay.

Files not in a Connector

Use Reference Explorer as a pre-check before adding data to Autodesk Docs, Fusion, or Autodesk Drive.

1. Better understand the size and scope of the dataset before uploading.

2. Visualize file relationships using pan and zoom in one of many views.

3. Identify files in the dataset that may be located on a network share or only accessible to you locally.

4. Identify files that are missing and correct the issue before uploading.

Files in a Connector

Use Reference Explorer on files that are already stored in Autodesk Docs, Fusion, or Autodesk Drive.

These files need to be synced or the references won't display. Right-click on the host design file, and use the Sync or Always keep on this device command. This will identify all the files needed to view the references in Reference Explorer.

1. Better understand the size and scope of the dataset.

2. Visually identify files that are missing and see where those files were last located (Network share, etc.).

Using Reference Explorer

1. Right-click the Desktop Connector tray icon and select Reference Explorer from the home screen menu.

Add a file which supports references to Reference Explorer by using one of the following:

• Click the Open button.
• Click Browse for File.
• Drag and drop.

Your file and references will display in the default list view. See Data Views for how to change the view and understand the displayed information.

At the bottom of the screen you can see:

• Number of files: Number of files contained in the entire dataset.
• Data Set Size: The combined size of the dataset.
• Missing References: The total number of missing references in the dataset

Related Content:

• Supported Files and References in Desktop Connector

• How to use or create data shortcuts in Civil 3D