AutoCAD WS supports the use of external files, such as references (DWG, JPG, TIF and any other raster image), plot styles (.ctb, .stb), and fonts (.ttf, .shx). Just as in AutoCAD, AutoCAD WS needs all external files to a drawing in order to display it correctly.

When you share a drawing that has external files attached to it, you don’t have to share these external files too. Your recipient will view the drawing exactly the way you intend them to, automatically.

You don’t have to import the same resource file more than once. For example, if you have a stylesheet that you often use for several drawings, you only have to import it to AutoCAD WS once.

You can import missing resource files as well as import updated versions of them. The changes will be available to all users accessing those drawings—so you don’t have to share the updated resource again.

What happens when I try to open a drawing and one of the resource files is missing?

Fonts: If you haven’t imported the fonts, AutoCAD WS will display the drawing with preloaded default fonts. You can import the required  fonts at any time, and the drawing will then be updated and display fonts correctly.

Plot styles: If you change the view in your drawing to a plot style without first importing the plot style, AutoCAD WS will notify you that it’s missing, and will change the plot style to Grayscale. You can import the stylesheet at any time and view the drawing with it.

External references: If you open a drawing that has a missing Xref file, AutoCAD WS will let you know so that you can import the missing file and display the drawing correctly. Otherwise, the drawing will load without the external references.

How do I import or update an external reference?

Open a drawing
From within AutoCAD WS Drawings, open a drawing of your choice. Your drawing will open in the AutoCAD WS Editor.

Open the Xrefs Manager window
Go to the View tab on the ribbon and click the “Xrefs” button.

This window will appear:

In this example we have 2 missing Xrefs, but in your drawing it might be any number of missing Xrefs.

Option 1: Click “Import” to import the missing Xref from your computer
The file browser window will appear.

Locate the Xref file on your computer and hit “OK”.

The file will then be imported. When the import completes, click “Update Xrefs”. The drawing will then continue loading with the the newly imported Xref.

Option 2: Click “Choose” to select the missing Xref from your AutoCAD WS folder
Use this option if you have imported the Xref before to AutoCAD WS. This is useful if you renamed the Xref, moved it to a different folder, or you made changes to the reference in AutoCAD.

When you click “Choose”, this window will appear:

This browser shows your files in AutoCAD WS. Navigate to the desired file, select it, and click “OK”.

Click on “Update Xrefs” and the drawing will then regenerate with the update.

How to import or update fonts?

If a font file is missing, AutoCAD WS will attempt to display your drawing using preloaded fonts. This will work only with languages that use the Latin alphabet. For several other languages you will have to import a font to display the text in your drawings correctly.

Open the Fonts manager
Go to the View tab in the ribbon, and click on the Fonts button.

This window will appear:

In this example we have 5 fonts that are imported and recognized, and 4 that are missing – romanstw.shx, simplxtw.shx, romans.ttf and txt.ttf.

Import the font file from your computer
Click “Import” to import the missing font from your computer. Locate the file on your computer, and import it.

When the import completes, click on “Update fonts”.

How to import or update plot styles (.ctb or .stb)?

AutoCAD WS offers a new way to display your drawings—with plot styles. You can use plot styles while viewing, editing, and sharing the drawing, allowing you to express your drawing in a different way.

When you open a drawing with a missing plot style, it will default to one of the preloaded plot styles. You can always view your drawing as a CAD model.

Go to the View tab in the ribbon
In the Editor you will find the View tab on the ribbon. Click on it.

Click on “Plot Styles”
This window will appear:

In this example we are missing one plot style.

Import the stylesheet from your computer
Click “Import” to import the missing stylesheet from your computer. Locate the file on your computer, and import it.

When the import completes, click on “Update stylesheets.”

The plot style will then be imported to AutoCAD WS. The drawing will regenerate, and then you can switch your view mode to that plot style.

To switch between model and plot styles, go to the View tab on the ribbon and select an option from the View Mode menu.

Note: AutoCAD WS will only recognize stylesheets that you defined in AutoCAD. You cannot define and add a new plot style to a drawing with AutoCAD WS.