Preserve layer information when copying markups

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tristens
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Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2025 3:45 pm

Preserve layer information when copying markups

Post by tristens »

Hi there,

I'm wondering if there is a way to move markups from one document to another without losing layer information. We have a very large drawing package that updates periodically, and there is a running commentary on it with many different markups, but when it comes time for submission I'd like to be able to use layers to only export the area markups without any of the commentary.

If I export/import comments, or just copy/paste them to the new file, the comments remain editable but the layer information is all lost (even if I pre-create layers with the same names in the target document).

One workflow I thought was promising but didn't work out was this:
• In old drawing, select layers of interest
• RC>Extract selected layers > extract layers with parent structure elements
>>Creates a new document with only markups
• Open up target document
• Open layer panel
• RC>Import as Layer
>>Dialog box for "import as layer"
• Specify "source and page range" as the temporary "new document" that was created
• Import options>copy corresponding layers from source
>>Gives the new drawing with content from all the source layers imported and visible… but all the content seems flattened (cannot select them) and no longer associated with their layers (toggling parent layer visibility has no effect)

The workaround I'm imagining I'll need to use is to copy layers (and all their contents), paste them into the new document, and assign them to a new layer in the new doc one at a time. However, ideally, I'd like to have about 10 or so different layers that are maintained between drawing updates, and doing that workflow 10x+ over seems unnecessarily tedious.

Is there another method I'm missing to achieve this? TIA! :D

Windows OS: Windows 11 Enterprise
Xchange Editor Plus version: 10.4.3, build 391 (Enhanced OCR)
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Daniel - PDF-XChange
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Posts: 11094
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:52 pm

Re: Preserve layer information when copying markups

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, tristens

This seems to be caused by a (hopefully mistaken) permanently set option. The "flatten comments and form fields" option is enabled, and cannot be toggled at this time:
image.png
I have reported this to the Dev team for resolution, but in the meantime, I am sorry to say that I do not have an easy solution to offer you.

RT#7408: Bug: import as layer - Inaccessible option "Flatten comments & Form fields"

Kind regards,
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Dan McIntyre - Support Technician
PDF-XChange Co. LTD

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tristens
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Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2025 3:45 pm

Re: Preserve layer information when copying markups

Post by tristens »

Thanks for this Daniel. Is there any way to be notified when this is fixed?
Cheers,
Tristen
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Daniel - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 11094
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:52 pm

Re: Preserve layer information when copying markups

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, tristens

Not automatically, the best we can offer is that if you sign up for our newsletter, you may get an email when new feature releases are made available. This is done from your account page here: https://www.pdf-xchange.com/login

Otherwise the best I can suggest is keeping an eye out for any new updates, and testing what they offer.

Kind regards,
Dan McIntyre - Support Technician
PDF-XChange Co. LTD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Web site domain and email address has changed as of 26/10/2023.
https://www.pdf-xchange.com
Support@pdf-xchange.com