VISRETAIN and xref layers tutorial

by Mark Middlebrook

This tutorial is part of the markcad.com series of AutoCAD tutorials on xrefs. Most of the tutorials are written for AutoCAD 2000/2000i and most of the sample drawings are saved in AutoCAD 2000 format. You may be able to use the tutorials with other versions of AutoCAD (or even AutoCAD LT), but some of the commands and dialog boxes will work a little differently. The tutorial instructions assume that you have a basic understanding of how to use AutoCAD (e.g., to open drawings, create and set layers, select objects, zoom and pan, etc.).

Preparation

  1. Make sure that you've done the Attach vs. overlay tutorial. You should have Parent_attached.dwg, S-cols.dwg, and S-grid.dwg in your directory.

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Example 1: VISRETAIN=0

In the first example, we manipulate layers with VISRETAIN=0.
  1. Start AutoCAD 2000 or 2000i.

  2. Open Parent_attached.dwg.

  3. SAVEAS Visretain_0.dwg.

  4. Set VISRETAIN=0:
    1. Type VISRETAIN and press ENTER.
    2. Note the current value.
    3. Type 0 and press ENTER.

  5. Open the Layer Properties Manager dialog box.

  6. Make changes to the settings of some of the xref layers.

    xref_visretain_fig01.gif

  7. Click OK.

  8. Save Visretain_0.dwg.

  9. Close Visretain_0.dwg.

  10. Open S-grid.dwg. Notice that its layers are unaffected.

  11. Close S-grid.dwg.

  12. Re-open Visretain_0.dwg. Notice that the xref layer settings have reverted to the settings in the child drawing.

    xref_visretain_fig02.gif

  13. Close Visretain_0.dwg.

  14. Re-open S-grid.dwg. Change some of its layer settings.

  15. Close S-grid.dwg.

  16. Re-open Visretain_0.dwg. Notice that the xref layer settings have changed to reflect the current settings in the child drawing.

  17. Close Visretain_0.dwg.

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Example 2: VISRETAIN=1

In the second example, we make similar layer manipulations to those in the first example, but with VISRETAIN=1.
  1. Open Parent_attached.dwg.

  2. SAVEAS Visretain_1.dwg.

  3. Set VISRETAIN=1:
    1. Type VISRETAIN and press ENTER.
    2. Note the current value.
    3. Type 1 and press ENTER.

  4. Open the Layer Properties Manager dialog box.

  5. Make changes to the settings of some of the xref layers.

    xref_visretain_fig01.gif

  6. Click OK.

  7. Save Visretain_1.dwg.

  8. Close Visretain_1.dwg.

  9. Open S-grid.dwg. Notice that its layers are unaffected.

  10. Close S-grid.dwg.

  11. Re-open Visretain_1.dwg. Notice that the xref layer settings have not reverted to the settings in the child drawing -- the changes that you made in Visretain_1.dwg before saving and closing it have remained.

    xref_visretain_fig01.gif

  12. Close Visretain_1.dwg.

  13. Re-open S-grid.dwg. Change some of its layer settings.

  14. Close S-grid.dwg.

  15. Re-open Visretain_1.dwg. Notice that the xref layer settings have not changed to reflect the current settings in the child drawing.

  16. Close Visretain_1.dwg.

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Return to the markcad.com series of AutoCAD tutorials on xrefs.

Last updated 09-Dec-2001 by
mark@markcad.com