Nested xrefs are overriding original xrefs

[rsmarrelli]

I have three dwg files: Sheet, BasePlan, and ConsultantPlan.

In the Sheet file, I attach the BasePlan. So, Sheet is the host file, BasePlan is the xref. So far so good.

In the ConsultantPlan file, our consultant has already attached the BasePlan file. So, when I then attach ConsultantPlan to the Sheet file, the BasePlan is a nested xref within the ConsultantPlan.

For some reason, when this happens, the original BasePlan xref that I attached to the Sheet no longer appears as an independent xref in the Xref Palette. Something called "BasePlan" appears there, but when I select it, it is only the nested xref within the ConsultantPlan.

It's as if having a nested xref with the same name as a 'normal' xref causes the normal xref to be replaced by the nested one? Or something? Has anyone else encountered this problem?

I'm aware that there are ways around this by setting the nested xref to an overlay, or binding the xrefs, but what I didn't mention in my description is that there are actually many "ConsultantPlan" files, so I was hoping to see if there's a setting or something I can change so this doesn't happen anymore?

This also just doesn't seem like useful behavior from AutoCAD. It almost seems like a bug. Or can someone explain why this happens?

[paullimapa]

This is how AutoCAD deals with Xrefs with matching names.

One way to get around it is before referencing your consultant's drawing, rename your Baseplan xref to something different and AutoCAD will no longer treat your Baseplan xref as the same.

So using the External References palette doubleclick on Baseplan and it'll highlight for you to give it a new name:

Now when you reference in the Consultant drawing your Baseplan xref will be separate & not nested.