Xref

[Anonymous]

I've used Microstation for the past 8 years and curious if I can change some settings in AutoCAD.

1. I can't get (Xref) referenced dwg line colors to update into my current drawing. I can change the color in the referenced dwg (in the layer manager) and save. Then go to my current dwg and reload the referenced file but the color change is not reflected. If I detach the file and re-attach the change finally is made, but I find this unnecessary.

2. When I reference a dwg it also references every dwg attached to the reference, all I want is the one dwg.

Is this just how AutoCAD is or can I change these?

Any Info would greatly help!

[rkmcswain]

eljefe7734 wrote:

1. I can't get (Xref) referenced dwg line colors to update into my current drawing. I can change the color in the referenced dwg (in the layer manager) and save. Then go to my current dwg and reload the referenced file but the color change is not reflected. If I detach the file and re-attach the change finally is made, but I find this unnecessary.

2. When I reference a dwg it also references every dwg attached to the reference, all I want is the one dwg.

Is this just how AutoCAD is or can I change these?

1. In the parent drawing, set VISRETAIN to 0. Note that *all* properties will be updated, not just color, and note also that any layers changes you make to child xrefs, while in parent drawing, will not be saved.

2. In the child drawing(s), make sure the xrefs there are connected using OVERLAY, not ATTACH.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the speedy response!

1. In the parent drawing, set VISRETAIN to 0. Note that *all* properties will be updated, not just color, and note also that any layers changes you make to child xrefs, while in parent drawing, will not be saved.

That worked awesome! Question: I want to verify that this is this a dwg setting not global user setting?

2. In the child drawing(s), make sure the xrefs there are connected using OVERLAY, not ATTACH.

After referencing child dwg as an Overlay the (children?) don't show visually but are listed in the xref manager. Is there a way to not list the grandchildren? (I have 2 references but 7 are listed)

[stevetamplen]

Hello eljefe7734, and welcome to the Forums!

A restatement of post #2, for emphasis and clarity!

Thank-you @rkmcswain!

Question # 1

Answer (from the Help file):

VISRETAIN (System Variable)

Controls the properties of xref-dependent layers.

Type:    Integer

Saved in:          Drawing

Initial value:     1

Controls visibility, color, linetype, lineweight, and plot styles.

0

The layer table, as stored in the reference drawing (xref), takes precedence. Changes made to xref-dependent layers in the current drawing are valid in the current session only and are not saved with the drawing. When the current drawing is reopened, the layer table is reloaded from the reference drawing, and the current drawing reflects all of those layer property settings.

1

Xref-dependent layer changes made in the current drawing take precedence. Layer settings are saved with the current drawing's layer table and persist from session to session.

Question #2

When a file is Overlaid, it should not have any children/grandchildren objects in the drawing from that file.

Answer (from the Help file, Attach command):

External Reference Prompts

Reference type
Specifies whether to attach this file as an underlay or an overlay. Press Enter to attach the file as an underlay (attachment).
Note: Unlike attached external references, overlaid external references are not included when the drawing is attached or overlaid as an external reference to another drawing.

I hope that helps.

[RobDraw]

You made need to purge both of the referencing drawings.

[rkmcswain]

stevetamplen wrote:

I hope that helps.

That is simply a repeat of what was already stated in post #2.

[Anonymous]

Please continue, I ran the purge command but didn't see anything referring to xrefs... How do I purge them?

[RobDraw]

How would you purge any other drawing? Open it first. Sorry, I thought that would be clear.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I'm still not getting it. I'm in the (parent) dwg that I want to remove the (grandchildren) references from the (children) references. I ran the purge command and don't see anything about xrefs. What am I missing? I haven't used ACAD for the past 8 yrs and a little rusty, I'd really appreciate your help figuring this out.

[RobDraw]

Open the XREFs as if you were opening the base file, purge, then save.

[dbroad · Accepted solution]

[parent or target drawing] <--attach or overlay-- [child xref] <--overlay-- [grandchhild xref]

If you don't want the grandchildren to show up in the target drawing, open the children drawings and change their attachments to overlays.  Then save them and reload them into the target drawing.

[Anonymous]

When you say "purge", do you mean the purge command? or detach xref or some other command? I'm confused, because I still don't see anything about XREF in the purge command box??

[RobDraw]

Yes. Forget that it is an XREF, just open the file and purge just like you would any other drawing.

[Anonymous]

That's it! I just didn't overlay far enough! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Maybe I wasn't clear on my question, I have dwg "A" that I xref dwg "B" (and only want dwg "B"). When I'm in dwg "B" I like having dwg "C" for reference and it stays xrefed. Would a purge still help here or is the overlay the best bet? (there's so many different ways to skin a cat in ACAD.

[RobDraw]

Not sure what else to say. Overlay is the answer. I only mentioned purge because sometimes that is necessary in order for the previously attached XREFs to be removed from the list.

[Anonymous]

AAAHHH! Use purge to remove remaining (stubborn) information. Sorry, I misunderstood you as saying purge would remove the xref reference! I'm with you now! Thanks for sticking with me through my blonde moment!

[dbroad]

Glad that worked. Welcome to the forum and thanks for the solution credit and kudo.