topic Re: XREF Attaching and Layers in AutoCAD Forum

XREF Attaching and Layers

rees.charles — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:38:12 GMT

Hello all,

I have a question about XREFs and using attach rather than overlay. I currently have a "Master" model which has a load of XREFs "attached" into it. The problem is, when I reference this "Master" XREF into another drawing, frozen layers are being shown, colours are reverting to the original "ByLayer" colour etc.

Is there a way to keep all the visual styles from the "Master" XREF rather than all the base files.

Apologies in advance if this is confusing. Thank you.

Charlie

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

JRitner — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:25:44 GMT

Try setting VISRETAIN to 1 & see if that works.

For more detailed info, check this out

Good luck!

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

user181 — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:49:01 GMT

The layers of the xrefs attached in the master will revert to the current layer state of that xref drawing when you xref the master. You can create a LAYERSTATE either in the master or in each attached xref and then restore the layerstate once the master in xrefed into a drawing

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

rees.charles — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 15:31:15 GMT

Hello!

Thank you for your response.

I've tried changing those values and it doesn't seem to change anything 😕

I've had a play around and still haven't found a solution to it. Any other ideas?

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

RobDraw — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:27:28 GMT

Set VISRETAIN to 1 in the referencing file.

Adjust XREF layer properties as desired in the referencing file.

Save.

Layer properties are retained for next time the referencing file is opened.

This has nothing to do with attach vs. overlay.

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

Valentin_CAD — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:31:53 GMT

VISRETAIN should work , but may also need to adjust the XREFOVERIDE setting. Try the following:

VISRETAIN = 1

XREFOVERRIDE = 1

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

m_kingdon — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:20:23 GMT

Rather than start a new topic I will just try and resurrect this one as I am having the same problem.

I am trying to build a baseplan to xref into other drawings. I want to build the baseplan with local objects (road hatches etc) as well as attached xrefs (water, stormwater etc).

I can make the baseplan look exactly as I like in the drawing (freezing pipes so only manholes and catchpits remain, apply transparency etc). But when I reference this baseplan in another drawing everything is brought in, the layer work I do in the baseplan xref is ignored.

Adjusting the VISRETAIN and XREFOVERRIDE doesn’t seem to make any difference. I have tried resetting XREF layer properties but that does nothing either. This whole workflow seems to be broken. What am I doing wrong?

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

m_kingdon — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:06:21 GMT

I did some more testing, I added a layer called TEST that is orange into my water drawing.

I can xref this drawing via OVERLAY into my production drawing. If I change the colour of the TEST layer in my water drawing to green, switch to the production drawing and Reset Xref Layer Properties on the TEST layer, the layer colour will update to green.

If I repeat this workflow, but xref the water drawing via ATTACH to the baseplan first, then change the TEST layer colour to green in the baseplan drawing, then xref the baseplan into my production drawing, the TEST layer colour will be orange.

I am doing something wrong? For me, if this is how ATTACH is supposed to work, then it is useless for my purposes.

OVERLAY WORKFLOW

ATTACH WORKFLOW via middle baseplan drawing

Re: XREF Attaching and Layers

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:04:42 GMT

@m_kingdon ,

I agree this is somewhat confusing.

There seems to be similar issues on the topic, and the workaround is to export the layer state [*.las] from the "Master" and applying it to the other file[s] - as already suggested.

AutoCAD 2025 Help | Layer States | Autodesk

As a sample, note this comment from @Neilw_05:

"You have to understand the layer states in your master file will only apply in that file. They will not be dynamic when the master file is xref'd into other files. That is the way visretain works. It only applies to the individual source files, not a host file. If you xref the master file into other files with visretain=0, the layer states will be controlled by the files attached to the master file, not by the master file itself. You cannot make Autocad do what you are wanting. Microstation does work that way but not Autocad. I wish it did because it would greatly simplify our workflows." [LINK]

The theory is:

If Drawing A has a set of layers, and Master Drawing B attaches Drawing A as a DWG XREF, then—for some of A’s layers—you apply overrides in B (for example, freezing them). Because B retains those overrides, when you XREF Master Drawing B into Drawing C, those layer freezes (or other overrides) can carry through into C — but only if the correct system variables/settings (e.g. VISRETAIN, VISRETAINMODE, XREFOVERRIDE) are configured and maintained.

Consider sending Autodesk your feedback:

Sending Product Feedback to Autodesk