topic Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing in AutoCAD Forum

How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:01:46 GMT

I have many consultant drawings that I want to Xref together into a master drawing to control layer colors. I Xref them in, change the colors as desired, and save. I then Xref this master file into my layout drawing and the original drawing colors reappear. Is there any way of preserving the color changes when Xrefing the master into new files?

For example: Architecture files 1 & 2 have the architects standard layer colors (lets say Red) that differ from my company's (yellow). We typically then Xref these 2 files into an architecture master drawing and change the layer colors to meet our standards (from Red to Yellow). <The goal behind this is so that when we periodically receive newer versions of architecture files 1 & 2, we can save over the old and not have to worry with changing the colors every time> Next we Xref this master file into our drawing and the goal is that it would show the correct layer colors (Yellow) per our standard. This isn't working for me, the files have been resorting to the original Xrefed drawings colors (Red). Obviously, the colors are more complicated than Red to Yellow, I don't want to have to change the colors every time we receive a new file from the consultant.

I swear I remember this used to work correctly, but I haven't been successful lately. Is there any setting or anything you can think that may be wrong?

Thanks! - Henry

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

dbroad — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:13:29 GMT

Set visretain to 1

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:40:42 GMT

I have double and triple checked Visretain and it isn't that. I think it just doesn't like having a master file. I believe the system I recall using (that actually worked correctly) just had the architecture files (level 1, 2, etc. etc.) directly Xrefed into our layout file and colors adjusted, instead of into a master file and then into the layout file.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

RobDraw — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 10:22:45 GMT

Even with the nested XREFs, this should work. Make sure visretain is set to 1 in the master and the files referencing the master.

I normally use separate XREFs rather than nested.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

dbroad — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 16:18:19 GMT

As, @RobDraw agreed, visretain should work unless you have a vertical product, like AutoCAD Architecture, or another custom app making changes.

Another way to accomplish saving layers is to set up the layers in the consultants drawings the way you like and then save and export the layer settings. When the consultant sends you new drawings, import the layer settings. This can be done with the layer states manager.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

RobDraw — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 18:12:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Another way to accomplish saving layers is to set up the layers in the consultants drawings the way you like and then save and export the layer settings. When the consultant sends you new drawings, import the layer settings. This can be done with the layer states manager.

And another way is the layer translator. I like seeing if there are any new layers that might need my attention.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:19:45 GMT

The XREFOVERRIDE system variable affects display and plotting, and works in conjunction with the VISRETAIN system variable. If you want the xref layers to retain their original layer settings, it is recommended to set VISRETAIN and XREFOVERRIDE system variables to 0.

ValueDescription

0	When the properties of the objects (such as color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, or plot style) on the external reference drawing are set to ByLayer, any changes to the xref layer properties are displayed in the current drawing (legacy behavior)
1	When the visual properties of the objects on the external reference drawing are not set to ByLayer, objects on xref layers are treated as if their properties are set to ByLayer and every external reference layer can have its own set of layer overrides

Note: The XREFOVERRIDE system variable only applies to DWG xrefs, not to other references such as underlays.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

dschmidt9513 — Fri, 14 May 2021 19:05:21 GMT

Henry,

I know it's been a while since you posted this question, but did you end up finding a solution? I'm having the same exact issue and I know it has nothing to do with Visretain.

Thanks,

Daniel

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

RobDraw — Sun, 16 May 2021 22:41:41 GMT

@dschmidt9513 wrote:
I know it has nothing to do with Visretain.

Actually, if VISRETAIN is not set correctly, layer property overrides won't work. Also, if object properties in the XREF are not set to By Layer, layer property overrides won't work.

If you start a new thread and describe your drawing environment and workflow, a solution to your issue will be forthcoming.

Re: How to maintain XREF layer color changes in new drawing

aksha — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 21:13:18 GMT

I have my AutoCAD setup in such a way that the Properties and Layers boxes are always open on my second monitor. I change the values (mostly layer transparency or color) of XRef layers in Layers box. I had similar problem on one of the two XRefs inserted in one of my drawings. No matter what I did, the revised values kept on changing back to original in that particular XRef. What worked for me is that I opened the Layers box with the command '_CLASSICLAYER' and when I changed the values there, it did not change there onwards.