topic Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad? in Documentation

Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

rob2218 — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:04:46 GMT

Using Archicad 22 on a PC.
Client who is also an architect, uses Autocad and he sends me DWGs often with his own (ahem) "unique" layer naming convention.

I'm tired of polluting my BIM model with his layers when I use his DWGs to do reference traces so what is the best way to:
1) import his DWG file temporarily and then being able to remove his layering convention?

is it xrefencing his DWG?
is it hotlinking his DWG?
Is it having to go into his drawings (DWGs) and adding an extra lettering (I've been adding in his layer list 'ZZ-' so's to keep track of his layers when remove them after I'm done with his DWG).

Or is there a best practices method for removing DWG polluting layers in one fell swoop?
thanks,

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Richard Morrison — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 21:03:12 GMT

If you use the Xref Manager to attach his DWG, the layers will be kept separate (at the bottom of the layer list), and when you detach the Xref in the Xref Manager, the associated layers will be gone.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:54:55 GMT

You could also try to set up Layer Name Conversion rules in your DXF-DWG Translation Setup Dialog. I think it works during both DWG/DXF Export and Import.
You could potentially set up a translator that converts all DWG layers into a single ARCHICAD Layer.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Brett Brown — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:32:32 GMT

rob2218 wrote:

Or is there a best practices method for removing DWG polluting layers in one fell swoop?
thanks,

I thought the best practice is to place the DWG as a drawing on a Worksheet. there you can use as a trace reference. No layers.
I mainly get Topo's as DWG's, place as a drawing, explode to the Archicad layer and then put what I need on my layers.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

rob2218 — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:06:00 GMT

So...let me add some more parameters to the mix.
1) I don't want to separate all the DWGs layers into just ONE Archicad layer, makes for a mess when you actually need to 'hide' some of the DWG layer, say dimensions or tags that came with the DWG. I want to just be able to bring in the DWG file and then detach or remove the DWG file without having my layer list poluted.

2) Bringing in the DWG file as a drawing on worksheet, doesn't that put everything into ONE layer? or does it keep it's original DWG layers?

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Brett Brown — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:14:16 GMT

You said you want the DWG as a reference. You will be using the drawing as a reference. No layers involved, except the 1 layer, you put the DWG drawing on, on the worksheet. The drawing is one entity, not a lot of DWG layers.
If you want to use anything in your plan from the DWG, then you have to explode it.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

rob2218 — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:30:15 GMT

I like the DWG as a drawing imported into a worksheet.
The only hang up is....that sometimes...not a lot of times but 'sometimes' you need to be able to hide and isolate "some" layers while seeing others.

But for the most part the DWG into a Worksheet is good.
I hadn't realized that when you bring a DWG into a worksheet, you can still snap to intersections and endpoints as thought it acted as a line drawing.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Barry Kelly — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 02:53:17 GMT

You can control the DWG layers if you place it with the drawing tool.
Select the placed drawing and go into the settings.

You may also find the 'layer visibility' in the info box to save opening the settings dialogue - if it is not there you can turn it on in the Work Environment.

Barry.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 10:08:52 GMT

Barry wrote:
You can control the DWG layers if you place it with the drawing tool.
Select the placed drawing and go into the settings.

drawing_layers_2.jpg

You may also find the 'layer visibility' in the info box to save opening the settings dialogue - if it is not there you can turn it on in the Work Environment.

Barry.

I can't believe I didn't know this after so long on ArchiCAD. Thanks Barry!

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

rob2218 — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:02:36 GMT

Barry....YOU sir, are "The Man".

Graphisoft...you better scoop this guy up.
He know'd his chit.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Richard Morrison — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 03:19:43 GMT

Controlling the embedded layers through the Drawing tool might work, but I'm not sure you can create saved independent views which take layers into account. I believe you need to have the layers displayed in the layer dialog for this to happen. I could be wrong, though.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

Lingwisyer — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 03:38:38 GMT

Regarding the Drawing Embedded Layers, the layers within the dwg need to be unlocked and unfrozen otherwise they will not appear within the AC dialogue.

Ling.

Re: Best way to remove unwanted consultant layers from a DWG file xref'd into Archicad?

rob2218 — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:36:23 GMT

I see...so...first, the DWG that is given to me must have "all" the layers unlocked 'and' unhidden.....in order for the DWG Layer settings to work inside of Archicad.

good to know.
thanks.