CAD tip # 13227:

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Reference Explorer - quick analysis of your project or assembly (file size, xref errors).

Newer versions of the system utility Autodesk Desktop Connector used to synchronize documents from Autodesk software apps with the Autodesk cloud (e.g. Autodesk Drive, BIM 360, Autodesk Docs, Fusion Team, etc.) offer a useful feature - Reference Explorer. This too helps you quickly find out an overview of all files referenced from any project file, any errors of these external references (unavailability) and the total volume of the project files (in MB). All major Autodesk file formats are supported - DWG from AutoCAD (xrefs), IAM/IDW from Inventor (IPT parts), RVT from Revit, F3D from Fusion 360, MAX from 3ds Max, VPB from VRED, PMLPRJ from PowerMill, and other formats (including e.g. assemblies from Solidworks).

You can invoke the Reference explorer from the Autodesk Desktop Connector context menu:

A window will open prompting you to enter the main (investigated) document:

Drag the main project DWG file, assembly file, IDW drawing, RVT project, etc. to this window. Its dependent files (xrefs) and the total project size will be listed. Any missing links are highlighted in red. You can also switch to a tree view of xref dependencies (even nested ones). AutoCAD project:

Inventor project:

Desktop Connector will use the same reference detection when uploading a complete document (all related files) to cloud storage - just "pass" the main document to it.

You can find the current version of Desktop Connector here on the Download page.

ACADADTPlantACADMCivilMapInvRevitMaxVREDPowerMill

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17.2.2022 92927×

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applies to: AutoCAD · AutoCAD Architecture · AutoCAD Plant 3D · AutoCAD Mechanical · Civil 3D · AutoCAD Map 3D · Inventor · Revit · 3ds Max · VRED · PowerMill ·

See also:
Tip 14075:	Overview of CAD formats supported in Inventor 2025 (import/export/AnyCAD).
Tip 13735:	My initial login to Fusion 360 isn't working.
Tip 13402:	Which products and features can I use for free with Flex Token licensing?
Tip 12977:	Easily find CAD/BIM document references (including missing ones) - Reference Explorer
Tip 12667:	How to free up space in the local cache of Desktop Connector?

Selected tip: List of blocks (incl. nested blocks) used in a DWG drawing.

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