topic Re: Multiple xref layer control in AutoCAD Forum

Multiple xref layer control

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:25:48 GMT

I have a small office renovation project and I want to insert the base plan as an xref multiple times onto a single sheet to use for: 1) demo plan; 2) construction plan; and 3) reflected ceiling plan.

Each one of these needs certain layers turned on or off, but not necessarily the same for each plan. Is there a simple way that I can insert a single xref of the base plan three times, but only turn off certain layers on one plan and not the others? And preferably this would be in model space. I know of a way to do it in paper space, it's just frustrating if I have to do it.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

imadHabash — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:42:42 GMT

Hi,

you have to insert your base plan then copy it three times . Now you have manually put each xref on to a certain layer .

also by XREFLAYER (System Variable) you can specify a default layer for a new xref.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:46:00 GMT

Thanks Imad. I'm not sure if I fully understand your solution. I've attached a screenshot of the xref that has been inserted, then copied two more times. If I understand you correctly, by putting each of the xrefs on a separate layer, I should be able to turn a layer off on the top plan (say the ceiling grid), and that layer will remain showing on the other two plans?

Re: Multiple xref layer control

imadHabash — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:04:35 GMT

type Layer command and freeze your unwanted layer , or from your layer drop list . click on below image

Re: Multiple xref layer control

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:03:23 GMT

I understand now what you're getting at. Unfortunately, that method turns the entire drawing off. In your example, what I'm trying to do is keep the s-grid on for the left drawing, but keep it on in the middle and right ones. I just want to shut down a portion of each drawing.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

vinodkl — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:03:37 GMT

Hi,

Sorry, there is no way to do that in modelspace. What you are asking for can only be done in paperspace.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

imadHabash — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:07:15 GMT

>> I just want to shut down a portion of each drawing.

Sorry … not applicable in model space !!!

Re: Multiple xref layer control

pkolarik — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:09:02 GMT

If you want to be able to control this while in model space, I think the easiest way would be:

bring in your xref (let's say it's called "base plan.dwg")
from inside your drawing, copy it to clipboard (for pasting later)
rename it to "base plan1" using the "rename" command in your drawing (it'll be listed under the "blocks" category)
paste from clipboard
rename this second version to "base plan2" using the "rename" command again
paste from clipboard
rename this third version similar to above (renaming the third one not required, but it'll come in handy if for some reason you need to repeat this process with a fourth version in this drawing)

After doing all this, in your layer dialog box you'll see layer designations for "base plan1", "baseplan2", and "baseplan3" and can adjust the layer properties for each individually without issue.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

cadffm — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 07:50:44 GMT

If you don't like to use RENAME and COPY&PASTE,

you can use the External Reference Palette (or the old XRef Dialog)

to rename the XRef and attach the file again.

But of course, c&p is a quick workaround.

Re: Multiple xref layer control

pkolarik — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 14:07:16 GMT

Reinserting the xref through the xref dialog box is heavily dependent on the insertion point of your xref file, whereas copy/paste (if you use copy with base point, etc) is not. (it's wherever you set it at the "copy with basepoint" stage)

In our office the insertion point of that xref could be literally anywhere, so c/p has proven to be tons faster here.