topic Re: help in layer management from x-refs in AutoCAD Forum

help in layer management from x-refs

nilesh33 — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:01:47 GMT

Hi friends,

I need help in layer management from x-refs. I am not good with this.

I have 'File-A' (discipline file) which have 5 x-refs (geometries). In File-A i have changed the layer properties of the objects from the x-ref. (color, linetype, on/off)

When I am making x-ref of 'File-A' in to 'File-B' (master file having more x-refs like File-A), all layers are same they are in original geometry files.

Is there any way to maintain the same layer settings (linetype, color, on/off) which done in the File A?

I tried with Layer state manager, it worked (but not sure about linetypes, and if I have more x-refs in File B)

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Nilesh

Re: help in layer management from x-refs

imadHabash — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:18:04 GMT

Hi,

I suggest to use XREFOVERRIDE system variable.it's new in autocad and it will help you a lot.herewith some great articles that will help you.~~Link 1~~ and Link 2 .

all the best..

Re: help in layer management from x-refs

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:16:16 GMT

That's because the files ATTACHed in file A are not defined by file A, but by the original source files themselves. They are simply ATTACHed in file B and remain defined by their source file.

Verticals of AutoCAD have the ability to export and import layer filters, which would make altering the colors and such easier. Unfortunately plain AutoCAD does not have that feature (for some inexplicable reason).

If you files have a defined layer naming structure you can use LISP (or some other application) to set specific XREF'd layers to specific colors. Other than that I have no help, someone else may enlighten us both.

Re: help in layer management from x-refs

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:21:18 GMT

I don't think the override will help when he brings the children XREF's into file B. They will still look to their source file for control.

Re: help in layer management from x-refs

john.vellek — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:42:26 GMT

HI @nilesh33,

Perhaps what you are really asking about is Visretain. If you set it to 1 then any overrides you have set in the host file should be retained. If I misunderstand your question, can you please attach some ample files for me to better understand?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: help in layer management from x-refs

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:55:00 GMT

If I understand the OP, he is ATTACHing files to File A, then altering XREF colors.

THEN ATTACHing File A to File B, the files ATTACHed to (nested in) file A follow along, but the layer settings in file A won't.

VISRETAIN will only affect the display in FILE A and won't follow to file B. In file B the XREF's are looking back to their source drawing.

...

Personally I NEVER ATTACH XREF's, I always OVERLAY. If I need those files in File B, I simply OVERLAY them there as well. ATTACH does nothing for me that isn't better accomplished by other means.