Import XREF to different layers

[RFurball]

I have a piece part model which can be connected to my assembly in one of two ways. I want to reference my piece part model using XREF twice but have them appear on 2 different layers. That way I can toggle one or the other off depending on my application. Can this be done? Can I create a dummey drawing which itself calls the model as an XREF and then XREF the dummy drawing in my assembly drawing?

 

Right now when I reference the part using XREF it appears on a fixed layer and I can not seem to move it. So when I copy the XREF it stays on the same layer and I can not toggle one of them off.

[chulse]

What layer do the xrefs come in on? Is it not the current layer? If not, then perhaps a lisp reactor is forcing the layer...

Is the layer locked?

[rkmcswain]

I want to reference my piece part model using XREF twice but have them appear on 2 different layers. That way I can toggle one or the other off depending on my application. Can this be done?

 

Yes.

Create "Layer 1" and "Layer 2" in parent drawing.

Set "Layer 1" current.

Xref in the drawing.

Use the ._Copy command to make a copy of the block (xref).

Use ._Properties to move the copy to "Layer 2"

[RFurball]

OK I imported the Xref into one layer I desired. I then copied the Xref to another layer. So now I have two objects which are both Xrefs and when I click on the properties of each they are on different layers. This is what I wanted. But when I toggle off visibility of one of the layers the images do not turn off.

 

When I referenced the drawings a new layer appears on my layers list. That layer name is "File Name of XREF" followed by "|" followed by "layer name from drawing I referenced in". When I toggle this layer off both images dissappear. Have I imported the XREF incorrectly?

[rkmcswain]

When I referenced the drawings a new layer appears on my layers list. That layer name is "File Name of XREF" followed by "|" followed by "layer name from drawing I referenced in". When I toggle this layer off both images dissappear. Have I imported the XREF incorrectly?

 

The layer you are talking about is the layer of the objects *inside* the block (xref).

Don't use that layer to control visibility, use the layer in the parent drawing on which the block (xref) is inserted.

In my example, this would be "Layer 1" and "Layer 2"

[RFurball]

OK I got it to work. I usually use the layer on/off to show visibility (the light bulb icon) and that does not seem to have an effect. But when I toggle the freeze icon (the sun) the visibility toggles.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[rkmcswain]

...I usually use the layer on/off to show visibility (the light bulb icon) and that does not seem to have an effect. But when I toggle the freeze icon (the sun) the visibility toggles.

 

That is just one of those quirks of AutoCAD...

 

Turning a layer off has no effect on blocks that reside on that layer, while freezing a layer removes visibility of any blocks on that layer regardless of the on/off status of layers inside said block.

[qball]

the object in the original drawing should be on Layer 0, then it can change Layers when xref'd in the new drawing.

[rkmcswain]

the object in the original drawing should be on Layer 0, then it can change Layers when xref'd in the new drawing.

 

Although visibility control options are limited for items on layer 0 in a referenced drawing since there is no "0|0" layer

[RobDraw]

For more control over the layers within the XREF's, I insert one XREF and rename it. Then insert the second instance of the XREF. You can switch the XREFs by loading and unloading. By doing this, you will have 2 sets of layers.

[macroman99]

Is it possible to cause the navigator to insert xrefs on a specific layer that is already setup in the template?