Combining multiple drawings in AutoCAD

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I have two individual drawings in AutoCAD. I wish to combine them to one master file, with each original drawing in its own layer. What would be the best workflow to achieve this?

@Anonymous, 

john.vellek has edited your subject line for clarity: Combining multiple drawings

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

you can use command _XREF to insert a reference to your original file (>>>details<<<) or you can use command _INSERT (>>>details<<<).

The difference between these 2 techniques is:

• XREF shows the content of the orginal file, and every change in the original file will be shown in the master dwg
• _INSERT is something like a copy, you get the content inserted, but it does not know from which file it was inserted and changing that external file will not have an effect to the master dwg.

HTH, - alfred -

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply,

I've only seen xref used for floor plans, ie something flat. I wish to apply this to a rounded object. Will this still work? And how can I get it into my "masterfile" and be able to continue using it in different layers? Right now I have the drawings xref'ed, but in the layout tab they have a single flat view. 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I've only seen xref used for floor plans, ie something flat.

The insertion as well as the xref workflow shows the geometry in the same way as the original drawing is.

If the original drawing is 2D then it shows 2D, if the original drawing has 3D objects, then you get these 3D objects displayed in your master drawing.

>> wish to apply this to a rounded object

May I ask what that should be as result? A technical plan (original dwg) "painted" around a cylinder like texture mapping in rendering?

- alfred -

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... 

I've only seen xref used for floor plans, ie something flat. I wish to apply this to a rounded object. Will this still work? And how can I get it into my "masterfile" and be able to continue using it in different layers? Right now I have the drawings xref'ed, but in the layout tab they have a single flat view. 

---

There's nothing limiting an Xref to a "flat" drawing.  The "flat view" you describe would be a characteristic of the Paper Space Viewport you're looking at it through, but you can change the viewing angle, etc., in that Viewport.

You can Xref any drawing into another drawing multiple times, and on different Layers if that's what you need.  I've done that [usually on the same Layer, but that's not necessary] with Xclipping to put multiple enlarged plans of different small areas from the same overall plan into a sheet.  The same can be done with one Xref of the overall plan in Model Space, and multiple Paper Space Viewports focusing in on parts of it.

[Anonymous]

 I have two rounded photoscans which are of the same object. I wish to combine these two in AutoCAD and move them so as to reflect original spatial relationship. There will be some gaps between them as the pieces which would have connected the two scans are gone, and I wish to draw these in. So essentially have one layer for scan 1, layer 2 for scan 2, layer 3 for my actual drawing. I'm essentially using my scans as a backdrop, and so I need to be able to see them together in AutoCAD. I have xref'ed them now so that's good (thanks btw), but they're not in layers nor are they visible in model view, only in layout. Tips? 

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community! 

The easiest way to merge all the drawing contents into one file might be to use XREF as others have indicated. Once the two drawing are linked, you can then then use Bind to merge the two files. The xref file will retain its original xref name ahead of the layer names.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thank you both, you are honestly saving me right now! 

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am glad that his helps. Please ask additional questions in this thread  pertaining to this issue so I can try to assist further.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I have two rounded photoscans

>> but they're not in layers nor are they visible in model view,

Sorry, I have no idea what type of object "photoscans" are in AutoCAD ... when you start command _LIST and select such a photoscan, which informations do you get reported from that object (press <F2> if the list is too long)?

>> I have xref'ed them now so that's good (thanks btw), but they're not in layers

Every XRef can be assigned to a different layer, just select it and assign it to another layer.

- alfred -

[Kent1Cooper]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

.... I have xref'ed them now so that's good (thanks btw), but ... nor are they visible in model view, only in layout. ....

---

That sounds like you Xref'd them in Paper Space.  Do it in Model Space instead, and you'll be able to see them in both with appropriate Paper Space Viewports.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Did you get all of your questions resolved? If not, please attach your files to a post in a ZIP file so I can take a look and perhaps make some suggestions that will help.

[josephanFTDAR]

Hi 

I wanted to know if there was a better way in combining floor plans into one file other than copying them. I tried using xref, but the file seem to overlap, but i need to stack them like upper floors. 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I tried using xref, but the file seem to overlap, but

>> i need to stack them like upper floors

I would prefer XRef ... and XRef-objects can be moved as every other object.

- alfred -

[john.vellek]

Hi @josephanFTDAR,

Can you share some sample files?  If your plans overlap, you can control visibility by adjusting layer properties. If you want to show "stacked" plans you can move each XREF to the appropriate Z value (height) and then rotate your view.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[ktsaleej]

Insert multiple drawing files ( .dwg or .dxf ) to an AutoCAD sheet 

http://ktsaleej.blogspot.com/2017/09/insert-multiple-drawing-files-dwg-or.html 

In above link you can generate AutoLISP(.lsp) program to insert multiple drawing files ( .dwg or .dxf ) to an AutoCAD sheet.

Just fill below form and generate your AutoLISP(.lsp) program to insert multiple drawing files.