Xref Layer

[Anonymous]

How do you know what layer your Xref is placed on in ArchiCAD 9? How do you control that when you attach an Xref?

[Laszlo Nagy]

Maybe a great new feature of Archicad should be batch opening DWG files using predefined Translator settings and maybe even merging them into one PLN file based on predefined rules. Batch saving DWG files is now available with Publisher. The other side of the data exchange flow could also be cared for.

[Anonymous]

That would be nice. We need more batch automation capabilities in ArchiCAD.

[Laura Yanoviak]

In the AC10 workshop I attended, there was some discussion of the advantages of using the new Drawing Tool over x-referencing AutoCAD files. I'll have to review my notes and get back to you...

[Laura Yanoviak]

Now, this pertains to AC10:

An external DWG file can be placed via the Drawing Tool as a vectorial drawing. One of the benefits of this is that the DWG does not bring its attributes into ArchiCAD -- Yes! These drawings are listed in the Drawing Manager and can be updated and managed the same way as those placed on Layouts.

[Link]

Thanks Laura!

That's a great piece of information to share with everyone. It's also what happens when we drag and drop a dwg into our project. I can see a lot of smaller practices using this tip, or anyone who needs a one-way dwg import. No layers, no linetypes, not so many bad autocad vibes! And because it's Drawing it's updateable too - if we get an updated version we can just override it in the OS and it will update. Neat.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Link.

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to edit the DWG and when imported using the Drawing tool?

[TomWaltz]

The Drawing Tool does not allow you to edit anything placed with it (PMKs, PDFs, etc). You would have to open the DWG separately in Archicad or in AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that you would need to get the DWG in perfectly ready shape in AutoCAD before you broght it into ArchiCAD. But it is worth the effort. I can't wait to get off my "9" project and start working in "10" full time.