How to Override Xref Color in AutoCAD?

Understanding Xref Color Overrides in AutoCAD

To modify the appearance of external references (Xrefs) in AutoCAD, it’s essential to manage the properties of the Xref’s layers properly. This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to override the color and other attributes of Xrefs while ensuring that these modifications remain intact when the Xrefs are updated.

Step 1: Access Layer Properties

1. Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon.
3. Click on the Layers panel, then select Layer Properties. This will bring up the Layer Properties Manager.

Step 2: Setting up VISRETAIN Variable

1. To maintain your manual layer modifications, you must adjust the VISRETAIN system variable:
   • Enter VISRETAIN into the command line.
   • Set the value to 1 to retain your overrides in the current drawing. This allows any changes to remain after reloading the Xref.

Step 3: Adjusting Xref Layer Properties

1. In the Layer Properties Manager, find the specific Xref layer you want to alter.
2. To change the color:
   • Select the layer, then click on the color swatch next to it.
   • Choose the desired color from the color picker and apply it.
3. If you want to affect other properties such as linetype or lineweight, follow the same method by selecting the appropriate swatch or dropdown menu in the Layer Properties Manager.

Step 4: Understanding Xref Attribute Behavior

Be mindful that the changes you make will only apply to the current drawing where the Xref is attached, thanks to the VISRETAIN setting being enabled. If this variable is set to 0, your modifications will be lost when the Xref is updated.

Step 5: Using Transparency for Xrefs

In cases where you want to give your Xref a faded appearance:

1. Still in the Layer Properties Manager, look for the Transparency column adjacent to your Xref layers.
2. Set the transparency value (for instance, a value of 90% would make it quite transparent).
3. Before plotting, ensure that the “Plot Transparency” option is selected in the plot settings.

Step 6: Handling Viewport Overrides

When working in a layout with multiple viewports:

1. Select the viewport you want to customize.
2. Open the Layer Properties Manager and make changes in the VP (Viewport) columns.
3. These properties will apply only to the selected viewport, preserving settings across other ones.

Step 7: Finalizing the Xref Changes

After adjusting the properties to your satisfaction:

1. Close the Layer Properties Manager.
2. If the changes do not appear correctly, refresh your drawing or reload the Xref using the External References palette.

FAQ

1. What happens if I set VISRETAIN to 0?
Setting VISRETAIN to 0 means that any manual overrides you apply to Xref layers will not be saved after you reload the Xref. This is typically used if you want to maintain the original layer settings as defined in the Xref file itself.

2. Can I revert my layer changes after applying overrides?
Yes, you can revert changes by either setting VISRETAIN back to 0 or removing the overrides directly in the Layer Properties Manager. Simply right-click the property override and choose to remove it.

3. How do I check which layers are Xrefs?
In the Layer Properties Manager, set a filter to show only Xref layers. This will allow you to easily access and manage all layers associated with external references.