changing xref properties

[Steve1980]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie in AutoCAD, and try to learn it from practice.

I'm using AutoCad 2007, and need to show existing structure lines on the proposed/remodeled building. The existing lines should supposedly be faded and dashed. I have a CAD file for the existing building, and assume it should be attached as an xref over the proposed drawing. My question is how to change the properties of the xref, to make it's lines dashed and faded.

 

Thanks in advance

[kindy52]

I think you have to open the xref file and change it in its original location. I would save the original to a new name, make the necissary changes and xref that one in.

[AlinOz]

I think you have to open the xref file and change it in its original location.

 

OK, that's one way, but this isn't really neccessary. By default, when you bring the XREF in you will find that the layers are added to the new drawing and specifically marked as an XREF layer in the format XREFName|Layername (that's the Pipe symbol{2 vertical bars} as the seperator). This allows you to change the Colour and Linetype within the current drawing. In fact the XREF could be used in several drawings with different settings.

 

One variable to watch here is VISRETAIN - if set to 1 (the default), it will retain the changes you have made to the XREF layers. Set it to 0 and the changes will be lost.

 

I'm not 100% sure with 2007, but I'm pretty certain that you can even control them further/ differently within a viewport (I know this has definately been in 2008 onwards). This approach will highlight the layer to show that specific viewport based layers are not set to the default.

 

So, basically it is up to you as to how you want them to display wherever you want - the choice is yours...

 

Have fun