topic Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 20:54:36 GMT

Okay, here's fairly strange request (as most people would like to do the opposite).

I would like to grab a drawing and have every single line and polyline switch their color from bylayer to the same color the layer is.

For example, Layer-01 is yellow, then the line would be set to color yellow.

Currently, I isolate each layer individually, select all the lines, and switch them manually.

I'm kind of looking for a 1 click solution (bonus points if it switches all polylines with global width other than 0 to 0, and then put every layer on 0).

I imagine, I would need some type of Lisp routine, but I have never messed with anything lisp.

I'm trying to export the CAD file, but bylayer shows as black (instead of the color of the layer).

Thanks!

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

john.vellek — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:13:49 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Have you checked in the Autodesk App Store? It looks like there might be some tools to help with this issue.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:17:38 GMT

There must be something in the air.... This thread also started today is pretty much the same request, except for also wanting linetypes. Follow the link in Post 2 there, and see what you think. Its operation could easily be restricted to color only, if that's all you need.

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:52:28 GMT

Wow, that actually worked pretty well...

Thanks!

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

doaiena — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 22:55:18 GMT

I'm a little late to the party, but i have already spent time writing the code, might aswell post it.

(defun c:test ( / )

;select all lines and polylines in the entire drawing
(if (ssget "X" '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,LINE")))

;loop all objects and set their color, to the color of the layer they are in
(vlax-for obj (vla-get-activeselectionset (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))
  (vla-put-color obj (vla-get-color (vla-item (vla-get-layers (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object))) (vla-get-layer obj))))
  ;if the object is a polyline set its width to 0
  (if (equal (vlax-get-property obj 'ObjectName) "AcDbPolyline")
    (vla-put-constantwidth obj 0)
  )
)
(princ "No Lines and/or Polylines found in the drawing.")
)
(princ)
)

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 13:50:45 GMT

Thanks doaiena, your works perfect too (plus it switches all the polylines gloval width's to zero... which is fantastic!!)

One last request, how could I add into the script so it erases the context of a particular layer... let's call it "Layer-X"

For example, I know I don't really need to export the content of "defpoint" and "area-calculation" layers

Thanks in advance for all your help!

EDIT- I just notice, it doesn't do anything on blocks. Could we also make the blocks to remain as blocks, but switch them to color of the layer?

I don't really need them to change their properties inside the block (if they are in layer 0 and "by layer" or a different color it won't matter after I export them).

Thanks

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

doaiena — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 14:05:27 GMT

If i understand you correctly, you want to select lines and polylines from all layers, except from "defpoint" and "area-calculation". If that is the case just substitute this:

(ssget "X" '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,LINE")))

with this:

(ssget "X" '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,LINE")
            (-4 . "<NOT")(-4 . "<OR")
                                     (8 . "defpoint")
                                     (8 . "area-calculation")
            (-4 . "OR>")(-4 . "NOT>")
            )
)

PS:
If you want to add blocks to the selection, just change "LWPOLYLINE,LINE" to "LWPOLYLINE,LINE,INSERT".

Re: strange request: Switch all colors from bylayer to the same color

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 14:12:26 GMT

I actually want to "delete" the content of those two layers.

If I was doing it manually, I would un-freeze the layer, select all it's content, and then press delete and the purge the drawing.

I Will add "INSERT" and test it out... thanks!