AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

I want to replace the adopted Express command for locking a layer (and now I've forgotten that Express command's name) with a macro that launches the regular _layer command, then issues `LO' to start the regular layer command's LOck option. This is better than the Express command, because you can select more than one object at a time, in case there's a whole bunch of objects on different layers that you want to lock all at once. I did this years ago with 2007, but I'm having n o success this time. It should be very simple: ^C^C _LAYER LO  Which should launch the Layer command, issue `LO' to start its LOck option; -at that point it should be waiting for me to hit <enter>, after which it's supposed to respond with `select objects' and wait for me to window around the objects whose layers are to be locked. That's exactly the way the command works if you type -Layer at the command prompt (you don't need to precede the command with the dash when it's being issued from a menu). But what happens instead is that the layer command starts, it gets into the LOck option ok, but then it doesn't enter into the selection phase. I tried adding a ";" character, which is supposed to be the same as hitting <enter> (which is what the command waits for to start the selection process) but that seems to make no difference. And I could swear this is how I wrote the macro when it worked fine with 2007. This should be a no-brainer; what am I doing wrong?

[#2]

Is it a backslash or something similar mebbe?

[#3]

Out of curiosity did you place the semicolon after LO or LO and a space:

"LO;" or "LO ;"

To clarify my ?

[#4]

No, backslash pauses a command for input. In the case of the Layer command, after hitting LO for lock, you're presented with the option of either typing a list of layer names you want locked (yeah, right, I'm gonna remember the exact spelling and name of each layer) OR (the option that makes more sense) you hit <enter>, and the command responds with "select objects:"

-Problem is, adding a semicolon (which means `enter') does not seem to have the effect of hitting <enter> at this point in the command; instead, it reacts as though <enter> was hit twice at that point, and goes back to the options stage of the command.
....

[#5]

I have tried a few versions on my own separate toolbar and can't get it to work.  I thought since the Laylck command had something to do with the Layer Fade Control then there is where  the problem may lie and I was wrong.  I can make it work as a menu pulldown item in my custom menu, but toolbar no way.  I have never like dealing with the cui, so I created my own custom menu (mnu file) and just do a menuload to load it.  That way no cui interaction.

[#6]

I believe I've tried every possible combination of spaces and semicolons at this point. The problem seem to be related to the command requiring <enter> to be hit to advance it to the stage wherein it says `Select objects:". It seems that the semicolon, although it usually means the same thing as <enter>, does not function that way within this command. I'm going to try a simple LISP string and see if I can get it to work that way...

...Nope, No dice - not, at least, without having the LISP routine make its own selection set, and then trying to pass that back to the command - which, at this point, I have no reason to believe will work anyway, so I give up - not worth any more of my time. I'll just set the macro back to the comparatively stupid LAYLCK (Express tool) command.