I was afraid that was the only way - I just hate to have to re-create the wheel 
and do it again...
Besides, these DWGs are used in multiple xrefs and I hate to need to change the original. I may be back to VISRETAIN = 1 and setting it all up in the end dwg for printing...
or create the drawings using MAP if possible...
A Plot MAP Set query could be just the ticket for you...
Would you like to expand on that a bit? I'm not familiar with it...
Thanks
Witgh the Plot MAP Book query,
One sets up a MAP drawing,
attaches all required sources, and then uses the MAP query to extract data from the source files, and alters properties as required/desired using a range table.
Then Map creates all your sheets for MAP BOOK...
in 2009:
The Plot Map Set functionality has been replaced with the Map Books feature. While you can continue to use your existing map plot sets, we recommend that you import your plot sets into map books.
That could be some source of confusion...it's a great tool though..
From Help Overview:
A map book divides your map into multiple “tiles” and displays each tile on a separate page. Picture a grid overlaying your map. Each section of the grid represents a tile. Once you create a map book, you can publish the entire map or selected tiles to a plotter or to DWF.
Each map book is associated with an AutoCAD sheet set. For more information about AutoCAD sheet sets, see Create and Manage a Sheet Set in the AutoCAD Help.
Note: If a map book becomes dissociated from its sheet set (for example, if you rename the map file after creating a map book), you will be prompted to regenerate the sheet set when you select an existing map book or create a new map book. You can choose the sheet set from the older version of the map file, or you can create a new one. To regenerate the sheet set at any other time, right-click the map book (on the Map Book tab of the Task Pane) and choose Rebuild Sheet Set. When you package and send your map files to a recipient using eTransmit, the sheet set is packaged with the map file and your recipient does not have to regenerate it.
To create a map book, you must first set up a map book template. You can start with a sample template and adapt it to your needs. When the template is complete, you generate the map book. You can update the original map at any time and regenerate the map book without changing the template, or you can change the template and regenerate the map book. The new map book will reflect your changes.
