Alternate Layer Filter Fuctionallity

[Anonymous]

Layer filters require the use of the layer dialogue box to set and to access. In 2005, the layer filters functionallity has really become interactive as you can now drag and drop layers into the filters as well as easily create them. However, to apply them you still need to use the layer dialogue to pick one and then isolate them (only the layer filters on). The old alternative to layer filters was to manage your layer names to allow layer selection using wild card characters and the -layer command from a menu macro or (command "layer") in a lisp function. The new alternative (using 2005) is the view save and restore function which include as setting for layers. You still have to do a little lisp or menu macro, BUT, you no longer have to select the layers that you want visible with wild card characters. Simply set up the view with the layers that you want to be visible. Now do a zoom out to the overall view of your work (not necessarily zoom extents). Save the view with the layers selected. Now all you have to do is set up a macro or lisp to View Restore [saved view name] Zoom Previous If you are working vertically with multiple levels in a building and want to transfer level one plumbing risers from main floor to basement floor, all you have to do (besides using "level one plumbing risers" layer and "level basement plumbing risers" layer) is Set current layer ("level one plumbing risers") to variable [ prev-layer] View Restore [basement view name] Zoom Previous Set "clayer" to "prev-layer" Not as nice as having the layer filter names in a tool bar pull down (similar to the layer toolbar pulldown) and a setting for "filter layer isolate" that leaves the current layer current. But, it means that the only layer names that you need to be level specific are your layer names. Architectural layers don't have to be renamed or attached as xrefs by level. You can at least easily work with "New", "Existing", and "Demolation" in the same drawing (same level) and plot to different sheets. Dave Alexander Keen Engineering Co. Ltd. www.keen.ca