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NCopyExtra

Short description

Sort / Purpose: Copy nested objects from xrefs or blocks into the current drawing so they become local entities on local layers that mirror the xref layer properties. • Scope: Works on objects selected with NENTSEL / NENTSELp, including items on xref layers like “_XREF|VG_KK”. • Goal: Quickly “detach” geometry from xrefs by copying it out onto new local layers that inherit color, linetype, and lineweight from the original xref layer.

Command:

Command name: NCopyExtra How to run: Load the LISP file, then type NCopyExtra in the command line and press Enter. • Selection: Repeatedly pick nested objects (e.g. in xrefs or blocks) when prompted; press Enter to finish and exit the loop.

Description:

• Environment setup: Grabs the current AutoCAD application, active document, and layer table to manage layer creation and property copying. • Nested selection: Uses NENTSELp to let you pick objects inside xrefs or block references, capturing both the picked entity and its transform matrix. • Layer name read: Reads the original entity’s layer name (for example “_XREF|VG_KK”) from its DXF group 8 data. • Xref prefix cleanup: Detects a “|” in the layer name and trims off the xref prefix so only the local layer name remains (e.g. turns “_XREF|VG_KK” into “VG_KK”). • Entity cloning: Creates a new entity in the current space using ENTMAKEX with the original entity’s DXF data. • Transform application: Applies the nested transform matrix returned by NENTSELp so the copied entity appears in the correct location and orientation in the current space. • Layer object retrieval: Gets the full original layer object (including the xref prefix) from the layer table to read its visual properties. • Local layer ensure: Checks if the trimmed local layer already exists; if not, creates it, otherwise reuses the existing local layer object. • Property mirroring: Copies color, linetype, and lineweight from the xref layer object to the corresponding local layer, synchronizing their appearance. • Layer reassignment: Assigns the newly created entity to the trimmed local layer name so it no longer resides on an xref layer. • Loop behavior: Repeats the selection–copy–layer process for each picked object until you press Enter with no selection to end the command.

Helper function: (if any)​

Core tools and functions used: • vl-load-com: Enables COM / ActiveX access so VLA layer and entity properties can be read and written. • vlax-get-acad-object: Retrieves the main AutoCAD application object. • vla-get-ActiveDocument: Accesses the current drawing document where entities and layers live. • vla-get-Layers: Returns the Layers collection used to query existing layers and add new ones. • nentselp: Picks nested entities and returns both the entity name and the transformation matrix for proper world placement. • entget: Reads DXF data from the picked entity to get its layer name and geometry definition. • entmakex: Creates a new entity from the original entity’s DXF list in the active space. • vlax-tmatrix: Converts the nentsel transformation list into a transformation matrix object usable by VLA. • vla-transformby: Applies the nested transformation so the copy is correctly positioned and oriented. • vla-item: Fetches specific Layer objects by name from the Layers collection (both original xref layer and local layer). • vla-add: Creates a new layer when the trimmed local layer does not yet exist. • vla-put-Color / LineType / Lineweight: Transfer visual properties from the xref layer to the local mirrored layer. • vla-put-Layer: Assigns the copied entity to the desired local layer name.

Functionalities:

• Xref geometry extraction: Copies geometry out of xrefs or nested blocks into the current drawing space while preserving position and orientation. • Layer name cleaning: Automatically strips the xref prefix from layer names so copied entities end up on clean local layers (e.g. “VG_KK” instead of “_XREF|VG_KK”). • Local layer creation: Automatically creates missing local layers on the fly when they do not already exist in the drawing. • Visual property sync: Mirrors color, linetype, and lineweight from the original xref layer to the local layer to maintain the same visual appearance. • Entity relocation: New copies are placed directly on the local (non-xref) layer, making them independent from the xref reference. • Multi-pick workflow: You can keep picking objects one after another and each one will be copied and re-layered until you press Enter to finish. • Safe layer handling: Operates only on layers that actually exist and ensures new layers are properly initialized before use.

Result:

Result: Each picked nested object is duplicated into the current drawing as an independent entity on a clean local layer whose properties match the original xref layer. • Independent geometry: The copied entities no longer depend on the xref; they are fully local and editable even if the xref is unloaded or detached. • Clean layer structure: The drawing gets local layers (without xref prefixes) that visually match the xref layers, helping to standardize and simplify layer naming. • Consistent appearance: Because color, linetype, and lineweight are cloned from the original xref layer, the copied entities look identical to what they were inside the xref. • Controlled extraction: You decide interactively which pieces to pull from the xref or block, one pick at a time, instead of exploding or binding the entire reference. Copy code: Copy NCopyExtra LISP

Images, animations etc.

Pixel

XAML code:

<ResourceDictionary
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:src="clr-namespace:Autodesk.Windows;assembly=AdWindows">
    
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<Bold>Function Syntax: NCopyExtra</Bold>
<LineBreak/>
<Bold>Version: 1 Date: 13.10.2025</Bold>
<LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>
<Hyperlink>AI+https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/how-to-ncopy-multiple-at-same-place-or-pause-the-ncopy-command/td-p/10932882</Hyperlink>
<LineBreak/>
<Bold>Command name</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>NCopyExtra (type </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">NCopyExtra</Run><Run> at the AutoCAD command line)</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>Description</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>This routine copies a selected object and places the new copy onto a </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">local layer name</Run><Run> (xref prefix removed), while preserving the original object geometry and matching the layer properties (color, linetype, lineweight) from the xref layer.</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>User interaction</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>• The user is repeatedly prompted to </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">select an object to copy</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• The routine continues in a loop until the user </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">cancels selection</Run><Run> (for example Esc).</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>High-level workflow</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Accesses the current AutoCAD document and its layer table using </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">ActiveX (VLA and VLAX)</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Reads the selected object entity data, including its </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">layer (group code 8)</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• If the layer is an xref layer (contains </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">|</Run><Run>), it trims the prefix and keeps only the part after the separator.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Creates a new entity from the original entity list using </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">entmakex</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Applies the correct transformation matrix from the selection pick data so the copy appears in the correct position and orientation using </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-transformby</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Retrieves the </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">xref layer object</Run><Run> (full layer name including xref prefix) from the Layers collection.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Ensures the </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">local trimmed layer</Run><Run> exists, creating it if needed.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Copies key properties from the xref layer to the local layer (color, linetype, lineweight).</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Assigns the new entity to the local trimmed layer.</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>Functionalities</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Object duplication that preserves the original entity definition using </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">entget</Run><Run> and </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">entmakex</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Automatic xref layer name cleanup (</Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">_XREF|LayerName</Run><Run> becomes </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">LayerName</Run><Run>).</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Automatic creation of the destination layer if it does not exist (adds the trimmed name to the local drawing).</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Layer standards carry-over from the xref layer to the local layer:</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>  • <Run Foreground="DarkRed">Color</Run> is copied.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>  • <Run Foreground="DarkRed">Linetype</Run> is copied.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>  • <Run Foreground="DarkRed">Lineweight</Run> is copied.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• Ensures the copied entity is placed onto the </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">trimmed local layer</Run><Run> via </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-put-layer</Run><Run>.</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>Important commands and calls highlighted</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">nentselp</Run> — interactive selection that also provides transformation context (used for correct placement).</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">entget</Run> — reads the original entity definition.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">entmakex</Run> — creates the new copied entity in the drawing database.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-transformby</Run> — applies the selection matrix so the new entity matches the original’s position and orientation.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-item</Run> and <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-add</Run> — reads and creates layers in the drawing.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-put-Color</Run>, <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-put-LineType</Run>, <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-put-Lineweight</Run> — transfers layer properties.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• <Run Foreground="DarkRed">vla-put-layer</Run> — assigns the copied entity to the cleaned layer name.</Run><LineBreak/>
<LineBreak/>

<Bold>Operational notes and limitations</Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run>• This routine depends on </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">Visual LISP ActiveX</Run><Run>, so include </Run><Run Foreground="DarkRed">(vl-load-com)</Run><Run> before running it.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• It copies the raw entity data; complex or proxy entities may behave differently depending on object type and available DXF data.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run>• The xref layer must exist in the drawing layer table under its full name for the property copy step to succeed.</Run><LineBreak/>


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NCopyExtra.xamlDownload XAML file

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Based on / Source code: Open Website

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