Making a fresh copy of a file from an existing (not so fresh) file

Assaf Ben-Nun

hi all -

a file has become not very efficient, ghost XREFs, etc. all purges and audit won't improve much.

i want to export it to a new file by WBLOCKing model content, and then import all layouts to the new file (using 'from template' on a layout menu).

this whole procedure is quite easy, except for the fact the VIEWPORTs won't migrate with color/linetype definitions from the original file (VP freeze definitions, for some reason, do migrate).

the workaround i use is exportining each viewport LAYERSTATE, and then importing this LAYERSTATE to the viewport in the layout in the fresh file - and this procedure is a pain in the neck…..

why won't all VIEWPORT definitions migrate, and how to make this an easier task ?

thanx in advance

Virgil

Hello.
You could experiment with the Template option of the LAYOUT command.
https://help.bricsys.com/en-us/document/command-reference/l/layout-command?version=V26&id=165079084948
Using this option, layouts from other drawings can be imported into the current one.
Maybe this approach could be helpful to import the original viewports together with their settings.

ALANH

Why not go back to original dwg this was AI Copilot attempt at remove ghost xrefs. Not tested.

(defun c:RemoveUnlinkedXrefs ( / doc coll item name isxref isloaded)
  (vl-load-com)

  (setq doc  (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object))
        coll (vla-get-Blocks doc)
  )

  (vlax-for item coll
    (setq name     (vla-get-Name item)
          isxref   (vla-get-IsXRef item)
          isloaded (vla-get-IsLoaded item)
    )

    ;; If it's an XREF and NOT loaded → detach it
    (if (and isxref (not isloaded))
      (progn
        (prompt (strcat "\nDetaching XREF: " name))
        (vla-Detach item)
      )
    )
  )

  (princ "\nFinished removing non‑linked XREFs.")
  (princ)
)

What else is a problem in dwg ? Is it a CIV3D dwg ? In CIV3D lots of stuff is locked in a dwg.