Layer states changing automatically

[DanMiddleton]

I am using ACA 2014, I have 23 different layer states in my template.  On my drawings, I will create different viewports in paper space.  Depending on what I want to show, I will go into the viewport and restore a layer state for that viewport.  This state includes, in most instances, a change in the viewport color of a layer.  

For example, I am drawing precast panels for a building.  The layers are named P2.0_PANEL, P2.0_FINISH.... and so on.  In the P2.0_ELEV layer state (elevation view), P2.0_panel has a color of yellow and is visible and in this layer state P2.0_FINISH is not visible.  In P2.0_FINISH layer state, P2.0_PANEL is green and is visible and P2.0_FINISH is visible.

I will restore these states in the setup process when I am first laying out the viewports.  Later in the design, I will be revising panel size or rebar type or whatever and then when I go back into the finish page (where P2.0_FINISH layer state was), I find that not all the viewports are correct.  The colors have changed and the viewports are not displayed correctly.  Somehow the viewports are not remembering their proper color representations.  All the layers that are supposed to be visible are visible, but their colors are incorrect.  Has anyone else worked with layerstates and had this problem?  If so, have you figured out a solution?

[pendean]

Do the layer settings actually change, or is this only a display problem that turning off hardware acceleration might resolved with your old ACA2014 running on a new Win10PC (see your other post about slow performance issues)?

[DanMiddleton]

It actually changes the layer settings.  I have one layer that has a color of 8, and the layer color gets changed to white.  I have another layer that gets the linetype changed to dashed when it is supposed to be continuous.

[pendean]

I'm not seeing that here but I no longer run old software either: ACA2014 is not new, so what changed with your setup all of a sudden recently that this is a problem?

[DanMiddleton]

It has been a problem for awhile. In the last year or so, we have been
"playing" with layerstates and it helps us keep our company drafting
standards the same no matter who is doing the drafting. The trouble when
drafting, is the consistency of the drawings and making sure that the shop
floor understands what you are telling them to do. I know most of you
already know this, but I am just giving a little background.

I have a number of years of AutoCAD experience under my belt so I am fairly
quick at the changes and revisions, etc.. but we have NEW employees that I
am trying to train in AutoCAD as well as the Precast construction process.
The layerstates is just an aid, and is supposed to work seamlessly to make
my job a little easier in ensuring consistency. In my own drawings, I just
work around it, by going into the viewport and re-instating the layerstate.
All is well, until the next time. and I can't pinpoint when this happens.

It may have something to do with:

* cutting and pasting of another drawing into the current drawing;
* inserting blocks (that may have layer setting different than the
current drawing);

I am investigating further.

[Anonymous]

I'm having the same problem!! Running 2011, I've tried everything and can't figure out what the problem is. Tried with visretain set to both 0 and 1, created the state while in the model tab and again while in the layout tab using vp freeze. I do manage to get it to work right after I create it but once I save the dwg and open it again the next day all the layers are on again and the restore does nothing.

I've tried the restore in model space, paper space, within current viewport....nothing.

It is in reference to xref layers.

[pendean]

Modelspace layer settings and viewport layer settings are usually totally different and unrelated when you use viewport layer settings to the fullest extent with overrides etc. BUT modelspace layer settings always affect viewport layer settings.

Is that your issue, you are wanting model and layout viewport layers to be different all the time in all settings? Program does not work like that. Never has.

[DanMiddleton]

The ongoing saga.... when working with AutoCAD Layer States Manager. 

I still have not quite figured out where the problem comes from, although I think we are getting closer.  I believe it may have something to do with when inserting blocks and drawings from other drawings (maybe the layer state gets changed to a "previous" version of layer states from the source drawing when inserting blocks?)

A little background into our setup:

• We design and draft Precast concrete Commercial buildings.   Some of these buildings are quite large.
• We have 10 template drawings depending on what product we are drawing we can either start the metric or the imperial version of them.
• Inside each of the template drawings, we have 140 separate layers.  I know this sounds like a lot, but it makes for easier drafting for what we are trying to accomplish.  They are to allow for complete elevations to be kept together in paper space, but to be separated into different viewports for easier viewing.  Each elevation has the layout of the panels, reinforcing bar, foam (insulation), shear tie layout all drawn on top of each other in model space.  Depending on the viewport, layers are turned on or off and their properties like their color is changed depending on how we want it to be seen on the printed paper.
• Each of the drawing templates, has 23 layer states.  

When I start a drawing, I open a template.  The layer states are already set and I don't change them unless I see something that is wrong.  And if I change it, I always change the template as well so that the next time I don't have to "fix" the same problem.

I will work in Paper space getting the building drawn.  Once I start doing my elevations, I will flip back and forth from paper to model space to see if the elevation fits in my viewport and will break up the elevation based on space on the page.  We always draw elevations at 3/16" = 1'-0" .

Once the viewports are set, I then vary how I work on the drawing.  Sometimes I work in paper space, restoring layer states but always going back to the CONSTRUCTION_OFF layer state prior to going back into a paper space layout tab.  Sometimes I work inside a viewport in model space, always restoring the layer state of the viewport that I am in prior to moving into paper space.   The funny thing is, a layout tab that I am NOT working on and have not worked on in awhile will have a completely different look to it when I go to it.  This doesn't always happen, but when it does, it is annoying.  If I go into each of the viewports and restore the layer state that is supposed to be, all goes back to the way it is supposed to look.

[pendean]

IMHO once you commit to unique VIEWPORT settings in all layouts or your projects you need to stop working in modelspace by tapping the MODEL tab and start working in modelspace from inside the viewport using VPMAX command instead (VPMIN to get back out of course).

Note that VPMAX command will expose all he weaknesses in your PC and it will run a percentage slower if your system is not optimal for your version of AutoCAD.

"...If I go into each of the viewports and restore the layer state that is supposed to be, all goes back to the way it is supposed to look...."
Yes, that is the fix for when you decide to tap the MODEL tab to work there and make changes that may affect your viewport layerstate settings.

This is a very word-y document with a lot of subtle language uses about dos-donts and effects working in model vs paperspace viewport has, worth diving into (yes, it is a hard read) https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/E...


If you feel somehow that all of what i typed is not how it actually works, feel free to post actual DWG files for others to test drive for some additional pointers or confirmations.

[DanMiddleton]

The final solution.... lol.  I have noticed that the layer properties change due to one or more of the layerstates having those property changes.  I guess one needs to be careful which properties they change in the layerstate as it seems to override other properties.

For an example, when I created all the layerstates, I inadvertently must have had the layer Titleblock on a do not plot layer when I created some of the layerstates.  One of those states is "P2.0_ELEC", and when I restored this state it would turn my titleblock layer into a do not plot layer.  I fixed this problem now and layers changing "for no apparent reason" doesn't happen anymore.

Thanks to all that looked into this and tried to help...