Adding multiple XREF with same layers

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have a city map consisting out of 254 different DWG files. I want to add them together into one file using XREF (since each section out of 254 can be updated independatly). All 254 files have the same layer names, so when I XREF them into my new document I get layers from each of the file. For example I get "1│Tree" from file 1, then I get "2│Tree" from file 2 and so on.

Any way to avoid this? I have 64 layers on each file, it will be very complex to turn up to 254x64 layers individually if need be.

I have tried using INSERT, but I understand I have to specify the insertion point each time, compared to XREF, where each segemnt somehow is automatically inserted into the right place.

On another topic - any way to ignore proxy graphics of the XREFs I add without editing the source? Same reason - pressing 254 times OK is not convinient.

Thank you,

Andres

[imadHabash · Accepted solution]

>> so when I XREF them into my new document I get layers from each of the file.

This is how AutoCAD is works . you'll get the layers under their attached xref file name in the Layer Properties Manager  regardless if they have the same names or not.

>> but I understand I have to specify the insertion point each time,

you have two options :

• either you have to prepare your 254 drawing files in their right coordination points before attache them.
• or you have to insert those coordinates manually while attache them . 

[MbMinx]

For something like that, you may want to develop layer filters. Since you have the same layers in each DWG, you could set up filters for each layer so that you only have to deal with 64 filters, instead of 64x254 layers.

I believe the filter would look something like "*|tree" and so on. That should give you a layer list that only has the "tree" layers for each of the dwgs attached so you can turn all the "trees" on or off in one go (instead of having to get into the list for every single DWG).

[RobDraw]

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@Anonymous wrote:

On another topic - any way to ignore proxy graphics of the XREFs I add without editing the source? Same reason - pressing 254 times OK is not convinient.

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Get the necessary object enabler mentioned in the proxy dialog box.

[vinodkl · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have tried using INSERT, but I understand I have to specify the insertion point each time, compared to XREF, where each segemnt somehow is automatically inserted into the right place.

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If your ok with the inserting the drawing, then i would suggest to bind xref with bind type "INSERT"  which would merge all the layers together.

 Here is an article to read about bind: Xref- bind vs insert 

And about the proxy graphics you can set "PROXYNOTICE' to "0" which will disable the proxy warning.