identifying layers in xref

[Anonymous]

Really basic question. 

I need to turn off a layer on an xref. there are 1000 layers in my xref how do i identify the name of the layer i want to turn off ?

i did 

edit in place

clicked on the layers i want to turn off and noted down with pen and paper there names. (very primitive)

to make life easier for myself i decided to put them all onto one layer.

Tried to exit the xref and i cant, there is no option to shut the reference file or save my changes. The ribbon for my xref options has disappeared. 

Where has it gone?

So from one simple question which i answered with a long winded process myself (pls tell me there is a simpler pure CAD process) to now being stuck in my drawing because autocad is doings its favourite trick and hiding buttons i need. That or i have gone blind. how do i save and close the xref? 

[pendean · Accepted solution]

"edit in place" is REFEDIT command, REFCLOSE closes the command.
When in REFEDIT the ribbon pop-ups up an extra set of buttons on the far right of the HOME tab to close too.

XLIST command in full AutoCAD does what you ask: it's not a feature in lower cost fewer featured LT.

[Anonymous]

Is there no way of finding the layers without using a pen and paper to note them all down before exit the ref back into my drawing ?

[h_s_walker]

Call up the layer dialog box

Do you see the word FILTERS with to left facing arrows?

Look there you should see a subheading which says XREF. Click on that and it will show you only the XREF layers

[Anonymous]

i just want to identify one layer not all of them ?

[h_s_walker]

When you type REFEDIT and start editing your XREF, just select one object on the layer you need to identify. Look at the Layer toolbar. It's name will be there

[pendean]

LAYWALK command to walk through layers perhaps until you find he one you want to turn off. In addition to the other tips offered here.

Don't forget about your VISRETAIN setting: it needs to be off if these changes you want are to be permanent in your top file moving forward. Turn it back on when you are done with the xref layer settings changes.

[Anonymous]

All good i mastered it  

[Anonymous]

The most easy way to freeze/ turn off a layer in an Xref is using the "Layers II" toolbar. 

I have found that the "-XLIST" command works best for identifying layer names in an xref. Results are displayed in the AutoCAD Text Window and command line.

[pendean]

LAYFRZ and LAYOFF commands, also on the Ribbon, no need to turn on any toolbar to get to them 🙂