topic Re: Copying pipe network labels to another drawing in Civil 3D Forum

Copying pipe network labels to another drawing

philip_barden — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:23:55 GMT

I have a drawing with a storm pipe network data referenced in, and have labeled all the structures. This involved adding labels, moving them, changing their styles as needed (aprons vs catch basins, etc). There are over a hundred structures. Now I have another drawing set up with the same pipe network data ref that I need to show the same labels in the same places. What is the most efficient way to accomplish this?

Re: Copying pipe network labels to another drawing

BlackBox_ — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:42:47 GMT

If drawing A already includes the DREF & Labels as desired, you can simply XREF drawing A into drawing B.

Any XREFs set for 'as attachment' will propagate into drawing B, where XREFs set for 'as overlay' will not. DREFs however, do not allow for 'as overlay' and are inherently 'as attachment'. So, be sure to set drawing A's XREFs accordingly, so drawing B looks the way you're needing without duplicate XREFs.

That said, if you wanted to step up into API, I'm pretty sure you can replicate Labels, Label Styles, and Label dragged state placements from one drawing to another (if that's needed).

Cheers

Re: Copying pipe network labels to another drawing

Joe-Bouza — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:43:31 GMT

XREF.

Alternatively, redo the dref and select use source labels.

Re: Copying pipe network labels to another drawing

BlackBox_ — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:57:18 GMT

@Joe-Bouza wrote:
Alternatively, redo the dref and select use source labels.

If OP goes this route... after making a backup of the original DREF source... simply promote the DREF in their host drawing, then SAVEAS the original DREF source (remove clutter) to make it the new DREF source with Labels.

Re: Copying pipe network labels to another drawing

philip_barden — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:45:30 GMT

Thanks All. I'm going to go the XREF route. In the case of conflicts in label positions, I'll just add extra labels and control visibility with either styles or layers, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.