Resolving layouts/XRef files, converting XRefs to smart symbols

Layouts can be transferred in two ways:

Resolve and transfer layouts: select this option if you wish to achieve as identical a layout as possible in AutoCAD.
Transfer layouts as complex elements (not resolved): select this option if you wish to process the layout in AutoCAD.

To select one of these options, click Options..., open the Advanced Settings tab and enable or disable the Layouts/ XRef files and/or Convert XRef to smart symbol options in the Explode compounds area.

You can combine these options in four ways. The following table shows the results of the possible combinations.

Layouts / XRef files	Convert XRef to smart symbol	Space	Result in AutoCAD
Disabled (complex)	Disabled (complex)	Paper space	The program creates a single file; each document becomes a movable viewport. Hatching styles are transferred as complex elements. The program tries as far as possible to transfer the layout as it is.
Disabled (complex)	Disabled (complex)	Model space	The program creates a main document for the layout and a separate file as an external reference (XRef) for each document. The individual documents are always created as .dwg-format files. Hatching styles and elements are transferred as complex elements as far as possible (however, they are contained in the XRef; i.e. you need to edit them individually in the XRef or explode the XRef).
Not available and disabled (complex)	Enabled (resolved)	Model space set automatically	Each document becomes a smart symbol, which is then inserted as a block in AutoCAD. When you explode this block in AutoCAD, hatching styles and all the elements within this block are exploded. (Volume of data may increase significantly!)
Enabled (resolved)	Not available and disabled (complex)	Model space set automatically	Each document becomes a group. When you explode this group in AutoCAD, hatching styles and all elements are exploded. (Volume of data may increase significantly!)

In the latter case, you can exclude the group (i.e. the link) by activating Composite elements in the Explode compounds area.