XREF Defpoints missing on Working Dwg.

[mpungitore]

It seems to me that when opening a dwg with an XREF, the defpoints on the XREF dwg do not show up. We have found a way around it but it is very cumbersome. We have to open the drawing, save, close & re-open. The defpoints now apear?!?!?! Is there any way around this? It seemed to only start happening when my company went to AutoCAD 2009.

[ccowgill]

It seems to me that when opening a dwg with an XREF, the defpoints on the XREF dwg do not show up. We have found a way around it but it is very cumbersome. We have to open the drawing, save, close & re-open. The defpoints now apear?!?!?! Is there any way around this? It seemed to only start happening when my company went to AutoCAD 2009.
Welcome to AUGI, and congrats on your first post.

Not sure why you are using the defpoints layer they dont print. If we have something that we dont want to print, we just set the layer to not plot. Using defpoints for geometry can cause some issues and should be avoided. Defpoints visibility is also tied to the layer 0, if it is off, you wont see anything on the defpoints layer. all of the sudden being able to see it after save, close and reopen may have something to do with the Visretain system variable. What were you using before 2009?

[RobertB]

Do NOT use DefPoints for anything. There is only one DefPoints layer, just as there is only one 0 layer, no matter how many XRefs you use. Follow Christopher's advice and create your own layers to store non-plotting information.

[jaberwok]

The defpoints layer is created automatically when you create a first dimension.
Like the others, I recommend that you do not use defpoints for your own purposes.

[mpungitore]

Welcome to AUGI, and congrats on your first post.

Not sure why you are using the defpoints layer they dont print. If we have something that we dont want to print, we just set the layer to not plot. Using defpoints for geometry can cause some issues and should be avoided. Defpoints visibility is also tied to the layer 0, if it is off, you wont see anything on the defpoints layer. all of the sudden being able to see it after save, close and reopen may have something to do with the Visretain system variable. What were you using before 2009?

We use the Defpoints layer on our XREFs for revision clouds. We are a MEP firm so when we recieve architectural changes (to floor plans for example) we use Defpoint layer to show revision clouds on our XREFs. Our XREFs are used as our backgrounds for which we lay our MEP design on. We use the defpoint clouds to show each designer where changes to the architectural changes have taken place, these clouds are only for reference and are NOT to be printed. An example is as follows: Step 1: we create a architectural floor plan drawing which we XREF into our working mechanical drawings. Step 2: Architect changes his floor plan (moves walls, adds a bathroom etc.) so we update our XREF floor plan with the changes and put Defpoint revision clouds around the areas that change. Step 3: When desinger opens up his mechanical drawing he/she see's defpoint clouds (which are part of the new XREF drawing) to highlight the floor plan changes. We previously used 2007 before this and the problem (having to open,save & close) never occured. I have been made aware of the visretain system variable which I believe should be set to 0?? is that correct? However, this problem still occurs with visretain set to 0 and I never had to toggle the visretain cariable in 2007. Frustrating!!!! Sorry for the long msg but I'd tried to be as detailed as possible, I really appreciate the responses!

[Opie]

For the purposes you are using the defpoints layer, it is recommended to create a new layer and set its' plot status to No Plot. That way, your firm is in control of said layer.

There are many discussion on AUGI regarding the use of defpoints for other than its' intended purpose.