topic Re: Any way to not override copied layers? in AutoCAD Forum

Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 01:57:30 GMT

Any way to import layers from one drawing into another and NOT have the imported layers be overridden by the layers in the drawing that they are imported into?

Maybe have the new layer name appended with some text so that I can merge to layer later?

If not then that would be a useful tool in my mind!

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

VincentSheehan — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:09:40 GMT

XREF the drawing into the drawing then Bind it. Bind will bring the same layer into the current drawing with a prefix.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:18:30 GMT

That sounds like a reasonable work around.... maybe. Gonna give you a solved but hoping to hear some more options as well.

Any thoughts on earlier post I made that is somewhat related.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

VincentSheehan — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:44:58 GMT

Maybe save a Layer State before you insert the other drawing. Restore it afterwards.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 03:03:29 GMT

Thanks for the follow up.

I understand the procedure you're describing but not sure I'm following the logic.

By saving layer state I would be effectively saving the current layer settings and I would be able to restore those but If I'm inserting as xref and binding as described above not sure what that buys me.....

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

RobDraw — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 09:31:46 GMT

If the layers, or anything else, is already in your drawing. The existing ones take precedence. Your question doesn't make sense to me.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:54:54 GMT

Rob, yeah I understand that. Think Vsheehan is following above and that's a workable workaround of sorts.

Your post regarding layer translator will help with this as well.

Basically, I want to copy layers from another drawing into a drawing and not have the layers overridden as is normally done.... because I want to merge drawing layers onto the layers I'm importing and not vice versa.

Jury is still out whether the layer translater vs maybe the xrefing in and binding will work better.... or some other solution that no one has mentioned yet.

Thanks for the interest.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 13:30:41 GMT

Ok. So I've experimented with the layertranslator some and has some promise. Out of curiousity from your perspective, IF I can figure out a way to load layers from a template "layer" drawing into an old drawing without overwriting as described above (by xrefing and binding so different layer names) then would there be any benefit to using the layertranslator vs merging layers from within the layer properties manager? I'm thinking right now that would be a more intuitive approach for me... but not sure yet. Just wanted to get your thoughts on what I would be missing out on if I took this approach.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

Ed__Jobe — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 15:39:17 GMT

I wonder if your terminology is confusing others? Do you mean import the actual layer with its settings? Or the objects on the layer?

Never mind. I see you started another thread.

Re: Any way to not override copied layers?

payingtoomuch — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 17:14:07 GMT

Sorry for confusion.

Yes, import the actual layer.