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Learn · Everyday know-how · Lesson 2 of 7

Bring in buildings or layers from another project

You willBring a building, a layer, a level or a whole site from another project, an example or a project file into this one.
Time4 min
Why it mattersNext door, a second building or a standard layout comes in once, in the right place, with its links and register.

Try it in Plotlay → Opens an example project with this lesson beside it. Nothing to install.

Steps

  1. Open the project to bring things into. Choose Overlay in the top bar (Add overlay on a wide screen), then Import from another project. In Ctrl+K, type Import from project.
  2. Pick the source: Your projects, Shared with you (projects you may edit), Examples or A file, then Choose.
  3. Tick what comes over under Buildings, Levels, Layers and What to bring. Each line shows how many things it holds; everything visible is ticked to start.
  4. Open How it merges to choose how layers, levels, asset tags, design options, phases and forms join this project, then choose Place it….
  5. An outline shows where it lands: where it really is when both projects are on the map, else the middle of the view. Drag it, click where its middle goes, or turn and scale it, then choose Import.
  6. It comes in as one change: Undo takes it all back. Later, Import history lists each import, and Remove everything imported from takes one out on its own.

Tips

  • Two neighbouring houses on the map? Leave Where it really is on and the other house lands exactly where it stands.
  • Asset tags that clash are renumbered (EXT-003 becomes the next free number), or kept with a prefix: choose under Asset tags.
  • Tick Keep a link to the source to bring a newer version in later with Update from source.
  • You can also drop a project file on the map and choose Import into this project.

Common mistakes

  • A project shared with you to view or comment is greyed out: importing takes a copy, so it needs edit access. Ask its owner, or for a project file.
  • Untick Outside the buildings when you only want a building: otherwise the street, fences and services come too.
  • Expecting edits here to reach the source: an import is a copy. A connected copy is the way to send changes back.
Check yourself

You import a house whose extinguisher is EXT-003, and this project already has an EXT-003. With the default rules, what happens?

Words in this lesson

Phase (existing, proposed, demolish)
Whether something is there now and stays (existing), is new work (proposed) or is coming out (existing, to be removed). Plans, 3D and documents show Current, Proposed or Both from it.
Overlay
A drawing, plan or picture laid over the map or plan, such as a site plan PDF or a DXF. Pin it to line it up with the aerial.
Layer
A group of things in a project, listed in the Layers tab. A hidden layer is left out of the plan, 3D and documents until you show it again.
Design option
One of two or more versions of part of a design, such as two vanities, kept in one project. Only the chosen option shows; clients can pick the one they like.

Related lessons

Bring files into PlotlayBring in a drawing to pin, a photo, a list of assets or a whole project file, each in the right place.4 minTry changes in a connected copyTake a linked copy of a shared project, change it, and send your changes back for the owner to review.4 minMap a building’s fire and services assetsPlace fire, evacuation and services assets on a plan, inspect them on site, and export the ESM register, block plans and evacuation diagrams.6 min

Steps checked in the app on 17 October 2026.