topic Re: Layer combination transfer between projects in Documentation

Layer combination transfer between projects

onestoreyllc — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 03:54:35 GMT

I've been trying to save layer combinations in one project to transfer into another but the xml file will only save as a weird MS file that I can't import into the other project. I can't find any updated information regarding this procedure in AC28, help?

Operating system used: Windows

Re: Layer combination transfer between projects

scottjm — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:07:32 GMT

Hi there,

I’ve done a lot of work with attributes, but don’t think I’ve actually ever transferred layer combos.

A couple of questions:

- Are you transferring between the same version in AC?

- Do you have all the same layers with identical attribute index numbers in both files? The layer combo export will reference layers by there index numbers only?

- Are you ticking include all associated attributes or not when transferring the attributes to the right hand panel?

- Is the addPars folder being created after you export?

- it looks like your complying the xml file to a different folder, are you copying AddPars too?

Are you able to upload the xml file here to take a look at?

Thanks,

Scott

Re: Layer combination transfer between projects

runxel — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:41:55 GMT

I think the error message is for once pretty clear 😄

But the "AddPars" folder is a red herring. I tried a lot of stuff lately and the Additional Parameters are useful for surfaces only (it just stores the Cinerender settings).

I will write a detailed blog post on that later.

It's really hard to judge by looking at the icons alone, but it looks to me like the OP tried to import a v28 XML in 27, which lands us in the "different Archicad version" territory of the error dialog – the other 2 options can be safely ignored in this case.

We can see that all layers are exported as well, so they should come with the xml. Note: It is possible to just export the layer combos: they will reference the layers by their index only. If you go to a completely different file that is probably not gonna do much good.

Re: Layer combination transfer between projects

Barry Kelly — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 04:02:33 GMT

I don't have Archicad running at the moment.

But from memory, there is no need to export the attribute file (you can though if you want to).

You can simply import from a PLN file.

The file that you are importing in to has to be the same version (or I think it can be a newer version).

I think XML files are more fussy and have to be the same version.

You can then just select the layer combinations you want and overwrite.

I think it will automatically bring in the required layers.

Barry.