topic Re: Read xref layer color overrides in model space in .NET Forum

Read xref layer color overrides in model space

ottosson_mathias — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:38:01 GMT

I'm trying to get the model space layer colors for external references.

I have a model.dwg with an xref.dwg linked, where xref.dwg has a layer called "layer123" which is set to color 9.

If I open the model.dwg in AutoCAD I can see that xref|layer123 has a color override set to 255, 128, 128, but when I look at the layer from the API LayerTableRecord.Color returns the original xref color (ByAci / ACI 9 / RGB 192,192,192).

I've checked these system variables if that matters and the values are:

VISRETAIN = 1
VISRETAINMODE = 0
XREFOVERRIDE = 0

Here's a shortened version of my code:

I'm reading model.dwg as a side db

using (var sideDb = new Database(false, true)) { sideDb.ReadDwgFile(sideDbPath, FileOpenMode.OpenForReadAndAllShare, false, null); sideDb.ResolveXrefs(true, false); message.FileContents.Layers = LayerHandler.GetLayers(sideDb); }

internal static void GetLayers(Database db) { using (Transaction transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()) { var layerTable = transaction.GetObject(db.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) as LayerTable; foreach (var layObj in layerTable) { var lay = layObj.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) as LayerTableRecord; var color = lay.Color; // do stuff... } transaction.Dispose(); } }

Am I missing something?

Re: Read xref layer color overrides in model space

daniel_cadext — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:56:10 GMT

You might try from the host drawing, AI says you can get the LayerTableRecord override from LayerTable by using “xrefName|layer123”. If not, the overrides are probably stored in an extension dictionary in the LTR in the host drawing

Re: Read xref layer color overrides in model space

Gepaha — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:26:16 GMT

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/net-forum/layertablerecord-linetypeobjectid-of-xref-dependent-layers/m-p/5428510#M42605

Take a look at the link above in message 8 of 15 from @Balaji_Ram. I tested the code and it worked correctly for me. In the code snippet:

// Reset the layer color layerTableRec.Color = ltr2.Color;