Layers and XRefs

Dear Group,
I would appreciate some help...
I am working on a 2 storey building, combining my model with an Xref for
each floor.
The Xrefs are big files with loads of layers. I think my drawing would be
simpler if I could reduce the XRefs to one or two layers each before using
them. How can I do this??
Also, is there a way to "switch off" an Xref temporarily in the same way as
you can with an individual layer??
Thanks in advance
David

 

Different versions have different capabilities concerning XREFs.

Unloading an XREF prevents it form being displayed and should speed things
up considerably.
Look into VISRETAIN in the help. Once you have your XREF layer setup you can
have it persist from session to session.
I you need a few combinations, Layer Manager, or whatever their now calling
it, can simplify toggling the layer states.

 

Layer manager seems to allow you to make up different lists of layers,
then you can select by listname what you want displayed. I say "seems
to" because I fooled around a lot with layer manager yesterday but did
not actually try this function. It is in there though (Acad 2005).

- Tom

Happy Trails To You

 

IF YOU START USING LAYER FILTERS YOU WILL MAKE A LOT OF ENEMIES WHEN YOU
SHARE THE FILES

 

Love that upper case - reminds me of the olden days of teletype
machines.

In my case I'm always the sharee, not the sharer.

Layer filters are very useful (which is why they were invented, I
guess) for making up different "models" required for different
purposes.

From most of the drawings I get to work on, I need to use about 10-20
layers each to make up a grading model from which I will make several
dtm's, linework for the bulldozer computer, different linework for the
field computer used by the surveyor for layout, different linework for
the calibration of a site, etc etc etc.

It is really useful to be able to switch among several different sets
of layers using a list for this.


Happy Trails To You

 

Sorry about the upper case. I capslock for drawings, and forgot to turn
it off. When I realized it was on, I didn't change it because I really
felt like shouting how much I hate those filters.
One of the biggest problems I have in my job is the acquisition of
files from architects that have a zillion layer filters (many the same
filter with different names) because of the interchange of files between
users, some different operators in the architects office, some engineers
working with multiple architects' files.
Unfortunately simple purging doesn't remove the filters and the layer
filters act like a virus, contaminating files every time someone
modifies the file with an insertion. The removal process built into
autocad is very slow and in some versions of autocad will lock up the
software for an extended period of time. A file that should be small
(perhaps a simple detail and title block) in the range of a 1-2 hundred
kilobytes turns into a monster of 1-2 Megabytes. Email transfers become
a significant issue, and I have to strip out the filters because I may
extract the detail for use on the relevant job, resulting in new files
acquiring the undesired filters.
If you routinely strip the filters before forwarding the file, or never
forward your files, the issue is moot, however the majority of filter
users are not that careful, and many of the recipients are unaware of
the existence of the filters, thereby spreading this problem. In fact
one architect I know actually was suffering through the common crashes
of autocad LT caused by layer filters while I was on the phone with him
and I recognized the symptom as being the same one I had seen before I
knew about layer filters (I'm a self-taught cad user having only used
the small cursory instruction book packaged with the software, and
forums like this to learn autocad.) He jokingly asked if I had hidden a
camera in his office since I explained the cause and cure so readily
without even being there.

 

Create an empty layer filter then import same into the drawing. Of, course
you can go get lunch while waiting for layer manager to open/populate.

 

Right. We have a LISP routine that we have setup to automatically Purge the
Filters every time we open a drawing (then it just a question of saving it or
not). But they sure do fatten up a drawing - and a lot of people have NO idea
that filters do this. Many are amazed when I tell them how much smaller the
files become when you do get rid of them.

Regards,

Bruce