Layer Question - D-Tools Forum

David_Haddad · 09-29-2009, 12:50 AM

Edit: figured out.

grichards · 09-29-2009, 01:03 AM

autoCad 09 (the full version) allows you to leave the layer manager open as part of a tool palette. you can change visibility for layers and click apply without having to open and close the tool. I can't speak for 2010, and i think 2008 is kinda clunky (similar to the dialog scenario you mentioned) unless you know command line shortcuts.

that seems to be a good trick in autocad. learn all the command line shortcuts or build your own macros.

good luck

fryeguy · 09-29-2009, 09:00 PM

2010 allows the layer manager to remain open and dynamically control layer attributes. Shortcuts for layers are pretty simple to write scripts for. -LA is the command shortcut for layer manager. A good way to develop scripts is to toggle off dialog boxes using FILEDIA <0>. This lets you run command line commands that would otherwise cause dialogs to open. I use a couple of simple scripts to create a bunch of preformatted layers for manipulating CAD Xrefs received from architects, lighting designers, etc. I have one that saves the current file as an older file format compatible with Visio import and then closes the file.

Anyway, I'm probably preaching to the choir.

David_Haddad · 09-29-2009, 10:32 PM

Too funny, I figured it out at 1:03 AM and edited my post not realizing until today that grichards answered at 1:03 AM.

Another layer question. Is there any way to tell if a layer is really used other than turning it on and off and watching the screen to see if something disappears? I would think there would be something that tells you that a particular layer has xx items actually in use?