Right now we have one template file that uses an STB to control line weights/types. We start every base file (xref source file) and drawing file. The layers are set and have line weights assigned to them. We are a civil engineering firm. Our project linework goes into a "base" file. That file is xref'd into our drawing files. Each Drawing has different line weight needs. Our master drainage drawing needs the storm pipes to show up dark and the water mains to be screened back. The Master utility file needs the water mains to be dark and the storm to be screened back. Our Plan and Profile sheets need the storm and utilities to be dark but the rest of the line work to be slightly screened back.
We have been manually changing the layer setting for each drawing when we set them up. It takes time and errors are a constant issue. We can't make layer states for each type of drawings because the layer state saves the full layername of the xref and each xref file is different because they contain the project number in the file name (our standard naming convention).
How do I automate the changing of the layers to their proper lineweights automatically so that it is done the same each time and done correctly? Getting the referenced layers to the correct lineweight is the issue.
I'm contemplating setting up layer states in our template file that are set for each drawing type. When I make a master drainage file i run the drainage layer state in the base file, save it, then xref the base into my drainage drawing. Then, run the utility layer state in the base, save it, create the master utility file, and so on. All of the drawing files need to reference the same base file but each drawing has different line weight needs.
Thanks for the ideas.