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Question

Attaching XREFs to Specific Layers in AutoCAD/DWG (Not Layer 0)

  • October 31, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 46 views
geodances
Contributor
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Hi everyone,

I’m working with DWG files in FME — reading them, attaching XREFs, and then writing back to DWG.

I’m trying to attach an XREF to a specific layer (something other than Layer 0), but so far I haven’t had any success. I’ve tried setting both the fme_feature_type and autocad_layer attributes, but the XREF still ends up on Layer 0.

It also seems that when using the DWG reader, FME always interprets XREFs as being on Layer 0, even when they’re on a different layer in the source DWG.

Has anyone found a way to preserve or specify the layer assignment for XREFs when reading/writing DWG files in FME?

Thanks in advance!

1 reply

crystalwang
Safer
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  • crystalwangSafer
  • Safer
  • November 19, 2025

Hi ​@geodances,

Apologies for the delayed response. Thanks for posting your question in the FME Community! Unfortunately, I’m not sure if there is a way to attach an XREF to a specific layer. Here is the list of XREF format attributes that can be controlled in FME: https://docs.safe.com/fme/html/FME-Form-Documentation/FME-ReadersWriters/acad/external_references.htm.

If you’re able to share a small sample workspace or DWG that shows your setup, we’d be happy to test it further to confirm the behavior or look for a possible workaround.

As well, I encourage you to click this link and submit an idea capturing your product improvement suggestions. Other FME Community users can upvote ideas, and our product team reviews them for future inclusion in FME.

Hope this helps!

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