viewing layouts in another dwg

[fred.enright]

I've been searching for a way to create a dwg with multiple layouts that include our border in each layout. I would like to make views within the border of each layout to view the layout from other dwgs.

In other words, we are creating a plan set with standard dwgs from another agency. However, their standard drawing is in a layout in their dwg and comprised of views with text and linework in both their MS and PS. I would like to show two of their standard dwgs (layout views from two of their dwgs) within our border in a layout tab. I would like to create as many tabs in one dwg that's required for the number of standard drawings required for the project.

Can this be done?

Thanks!

[Wanderer]

I've been searching for a way to create a dwg with multiple layouts that include our border in each layout. I would like to make views within the border of each layout to view the layout from other dwgs.

In other words, we are creating a plan set with standard dwgs from another agency. However, their standard drawing is in a layout in their dwg and comprised of views with text and linework in both their MS and PS. I would like to show two of their standard dwgs (layout views from two of their dwgs) within our border in a layout tab. I would like to create as many tabs in one dwg that's required for the number of standard drawings required for the project.

Can this be done?

Thanks!
hmm, I know I'm not answering your question (too much for my feeble mind to get around, sorry if I am totally missing any part of your point, which I suspect that I am), but, if I were to want to reference something shown in paperspace and model space, I'd use the express tool CHSPACE (under layout tools in the express menu) to move the ms portions to the layout and then x-ref that portion

um... yeah, that's all I got... good luck!

[fred.enright]

Melanie,

That would work, if their standard drawing views in MS were the same scale and arranged like that in their layout. But, no such luck. There are bit and pieces, at different scales, in their MS that are positioned and scaled through views in their layout.

Until your post, I wasn't familiar with the change space thing. Thanks very much for the immediate reply!

[Wanderer]

Melanie,

That would work, if their standard drawing views in MS were the same scale and arranged like that in their layout. But, no such luck. There are bit and pieces, at different scales, in their MS that are positioned and scaled through views in their layout.

Until your post, I wasn't familiar with the change space thing. Thanks very much for the immediate reply!
sorry I couldn't have been of more help... I do love the chspace thing which has come in handy for me many times... good luck on someone a little smarter than me coming along and offering a clearer direction for you. :mrgreen:

[cwade]

It's not possible, you need to move all of thier work into model space, or have them do it in order to xref it into another drawing.

[stelthorst]

I may not completely understand what you're trying to do but what if you were to go into Design Center and drag and drop the layouts from the other agency into your drawing and replace their border with yours.

This should work if your MS drawing is the same (ie xrefs inserted at the same insertion point and scale) as theirs.

Hope this helps.

[fred.enright]

I guess what I neglected to communicate is that when one xreferences another drawing, you can't get to look at the layouts of that drawing. In MS a drawing can have groups of entities all over the place and in PS, the layout views can group them into an arrangement within the limits of say a border.

So, the only solution I've found is a DWF>DWG program from IntelCAD. What this would allow me to do, is to publish (make dwf files) of the layouts of the other drawings. I could then convert them back into a dwg (the program uses a DWFIN command which places all the dwf entities in MS). After which, in MS of my dwg, I could array an appropriately sized rectangle to accommodate each dwg and then xref those dwgs at those locations. Whereby, I then could make views of each dwg and restore a view or two into viewports created within my border in each layout tab. WHEW!

Any other ideas out there

Thanks for the stab Scott!

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Sorry I must be missing something here as I really can't see why using the ChSpace command won't work in this situation.

The ChSpace will place everything you need in Modelspace and at 1:1 as the routine uses the Zoom XP Scale Factor from the Floating Viewport you pick to transform the Objects from PaperSpace into Modelspace.

Once you have everything in Modelspace you require, it should be a simple task of using Xref and creating appropriate Floating Viewports in the Layouts.

Have a good one, Mike

[stelthorst]

I still think what I suggested will work. When you drag and drop a layout from another drawing all of the entities including viewports and text are included in the layout on your new drawing.

I do this all the time when working on multi-floor buildings, I will create my layout for the first floor or use the layout provided by the architect and change the border to my border and drag that layout to the second floor drawing. That way all of my notes, viewports, etc are in the same location as the previous floor.

Let me know what I'm not understanding.

[fred.enright]

Thanks Mike & Scott for trying to help. Is there a way I can post a couple of dwgs for you to take a peek at?

[Wanderer]

Thanks Mike & Scott for trying to help. Is there a way I can post a couple of dwgs for you to take a peek at?
Feel free to post drawings (as long as you are allowed to from a contractual standpoint), when you are making a post, scroll down and see the button 'manage attachments', depending on file size you might want to zip them before posting?

[fred.enright]

Thanks, Melanie!

Another solution that I ran across, is to take the pdf files (that's what the agency publishes on the web), use a clipping routine (like SnagIt) and insert the image into an AutoCAD drawing. Pretty fuzzy results.

I fear that the only real solution would be for AutoCAD to be able to attach both dwf and pdf files viewed in MS; as most agencies post their dwgs in pdf format. The dwf ability would be if you could obtain their dwg files.

Anyway, if I could get their dwg files, here are examples of two 8.5x11dwg files (StdDwg-A&B) with the layout views that I would like to place side by side in an 11x17 layout: Sheet 3 of My.dwg

[bbapties]

unfortunately its not just as simple as inserting the layouts.....they have information in layout and in model space with floating viewports....

The easiest solution that I can come up with is this...

1. "chspace" everything from each viewport into paperspace (thier layout)....that way all the info is in the layout.

2. create a viewport over the entire layout and then set the scale to 1:1 and pan off to the side...(make sure you are in world ucs as well)

3. then "chspace" everything to model space...save and close

4. then in your dwg create your viewports with a scale of 1:1 in layout and xref their dwg into yours modelspace.

this will allow for correct scaling as well.....I know its probably what you wanted to hear but I believe its about the only solution....other than going the image route....

i attached my final results

[stelthorst]

unfortunately its not just as simple as inserting the layouts.....they have information in layout and in model space with floating viewports....

The easiest solution that I can come up with is this...

1. "chspace" everything from each viewport into paperspace (thier layout)....that way all the info is in the layout.

2. create a viewport over the entire layout and then set the scale to 1:1 and pan off to the side...(make sure you are in world ucs as well)

3. then "chspace" everything to model space...save and close

4. then in your dwg create your viewports with a scale of 1:1 in layout and xref their dwg into yours modelspace.

this will allow for correct scaling as well.....I know its probably what you wanted to hear but I believe its about the only solution....other than going the image route....

i attached my final results

After seeing what it is you were trying to do I agree with everyone who suggested the change space command.

I went at a little different than Brian.

1. Use change space to get everything into Paper Space. (Had a little trouble with the arc aligned text not wanting to scale correctly).

2. Copied the result from paperspace into model space of your drawing.

3. Created a viewport on your layout with the detail views.

That's it! Took about 10 minutes. I realize the final drawing is not to scale but I don't think it matters for what you're trying to do.

Hope this helps

[fred.enright]

Finally banged around with chspace enough to get the hang of it.

A much appreciated solution! Thank you Brian and Scott for working on this!

Thanks to all for your replys!