Need multiple drawing based off same linework

I have one base drawing which needs to be edited occasionally. Then there are 5 other drawings which are based on that same drawing. These 5 drawings contain the same linework and each one shows different pathways which are "energized" based on different scenarios. We are trying to combine these 6 total drawings into 1 to elminate editing 6 times. What is the best way to do that? Can I use layouts to display different lines colored differently or would it be best to xref in the base and draw only those lines that are colored as a layer in each of the 5 other drawings?

no great help here, had you been using a more modern release I would have said a dynamic block is the way to go but as you are using 2005 you don't have that option.

Use the base file as an xref and then create multiple layers for each purpose and then turn off the layers not needed in the viewport.

i have access to 2008 and 2009, but am most familiar with 2005 so until they make we switch - i'm a little stuck in my ways. Thanks for the tip though.

Use the base file as an xref and then create multiple layers for each purpose and then turn off the layers not needed in the viewport.

Was finally able to talk to a "live body" through some tech support and was basically told the same things, which was the direction I had originally started with. Sounds like the way to go - thanks.

i have access to 2008 and 2009, but am most familiar with 2005 so until they make we switch - i'm a little stuck in my ways. Thanks for the tip though.

it obviously depends on the work you do but dynamic blocks save me so much time I couldn't go back to a release without them. Its not always good to stick with what you know.