As you might have already noticed the Layer dialog box has changed in AutoCAD 2005. It takes many of the things that were hidden in nested dialog boxes and brings them to the top. Not only did they redo the Layer dialog boxes, but they expanded the ability of the Layer Filter dialog box so it allows easier access and setup of Layer Filters.
The left side of the Layer dialog box is where the Layer Filters are now at. AutoCAD by default now builds a layer filter for any Xrefs that are loaded into the drawing which makes the organization of Xrefs much nice in AutoCAD 2005.
Tip: Select the Xref branch in the Layer Filter tree and then check the "Invert Filter" box in the lower left corner of the Layer Properties Manager you can supress the display of all the layers associated with an Xref that is in the drawing. Then check the "Apply to layers toolbar" box and click the OK button.
Tip: You can display or hide the Layer Filter Tree by right-clicking over the Layer list and selecting the "Show Filter Tree" option at the top. This will give you more room if you are someone that doesn't like to see the Layer Filter Tree on screen. The Layer Filters are still available by right-clicking over the Layer list. If you right -click and go down to the Layer Filters selecttion, it will open up and display all the Layer Filters that are setup.
To create a new layer filter follow the setps below:
1. Launch the Layer Properties Manager dialog box by typing in the command "LAYER" at the command line or any of the other methods that you know.
2. Click the "New Property Filter" button located in the upper left corner of the Layer Properties Manager.
3. Provide a name for the Filter. This is the name that will appear in the Layer Filter Tree.
4. Change the other properties according to the types of Layers you want to appear in the Filter. The botton protion of the Layer Filter Properties dialog box gives you an idea of what the Layer Filter looks like in action so you don't have to go back and forth to see it in action.
Description of Layer Filter Properties
Status - If the layer is being used or not
Name - You can type in a specific Layer name or use an '*' (asterick) or '?' (question mark) like in wild card searchs in Windows and DOS.
On - The layer is turned On or Off
Freeze - The layer is turned Frozen or Thawed
Lock - The layer is locked or unlocked
Color - The Color of the layer in ACI, True or Color book color
Linetype - The Linetype that is assigned to the layer
Lineweight - The Lineweight that is assigned to the layer
Plot Style - The Plot Style that is assigned to the layer
Plot - The layer can be plotted or not
Current VP Freeze - The layer is Frozen or Thawed in the current Viewport
New VP Freeze - The layer is Frozen or Thawed in newly created Viewports
5. Move to the cursor to next line in the grid and repeat step 4 as many times as you need to.
6. Click the OK button to save the new Layer Filter.
7. Uncheck the "Invert Filter" box and select your new Layer Filter if it is not already selected. You should see the Layer listing change based on the Layer Filter.
8. Click OK to save and apply the Layer Filter.
Tip: You can right-click over a Layer Filter to bring up a menu that allows you to change many of the properties like On/Off, Freeze/Thawed, Lock or Unlock for all the layers contained in the Filter.
Tip: To delete multiple Layer Filters you can use the Control key to select more than one at a time or the Shift key to select a range of Layer Filters. Then right-click and select Delete ot press the Delete key on the keyboard. To select a range or Layer Filters select the first one that you want to select and then press and hold down the Shift key. While wholding down the shift key scroll down through the list and click the last one you want to highlight. This will select all the Filters in between the first and last on selected.
Sincerely,
Lee
OKAY WE ARE A SMALL STEEL DETAILING FIRM, WITH ALL THESE "FILTERS" THE DRAWINGS ARE HUGE DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN DELETE ALL THESE IN BUTTON, OR DO I NEED TO WRITE A LISP ROUTINE?
THANKS
DANIEL
Posted by: Daniel | Saturday, December 04, 2004 at 12:38 PM
I have a need for saving set-up files with no layers (standards, keys, etc.). Layer 0 and defpoints would be ok. I cannot figure how to delete the default AIA standard that autodesk gives you. Can you help? Thanks.
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