Phantom Layer keeps returning!

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

I work with a team of AutoCAD users drawing Architectural projects. I am the only one who uses AutoCAD Architecture. Everyone else uses the standard AutoCAD.

Every drawing has a standard set of layers, however not all the layers are used for every project. So we will PURGE the unused layers when needed. One layer, that has no objects on it, keeps returning AFTER THE PURGE. I can delete it. It returns. I use LAYDEL. It returns. 

Here is the pattern in which this occurs: 

I PURGE, DELETE or LAYDEL the unwanted layer.

It is removed. It no longer shows up in the LAYER MANAGER.

I either switch to another drawing, save the drawing, closeout the drawing or some other command where I change to another drawing and return to the drawing where I removed the layer. THE UNWANTED LAYER REAPPEARS!

There does seem to be a connection between opened drawings that have this layer. If the layer appears in one drawing, it WILL appear in another open drawing (that originally did not have it) without me doing a thing. It just seems to move from one drawing to another on its own and reappear after it is deleted.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AND HOW DO I STOP IT? 

[pendean]

1) What's the layer name please? you forgot to state that.
2) How do you know it's empty/not being used, which commands and tools did you use to confirm that?
3) What year version of ACA are you alone running? And what year version of AutoCAD are they running?
4) Does this mystery unnamed layer only show up in DWGs you alone created?
5) Or does everyone in their own files, not yours, have the issue as well?

We all have AutoCAD/ARCH so we either can replicate it or not if this is a core software issue. Otherwise you might need to share your own DWG file with that unwanted layer.

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

Thank you for the timely response.

Due to where I work, I cannot send one of our work files, but I was allowed to create a sample file that has the problem.

It's VERY basic: 4 walls, a door and some windows.

1) What's the layer name please? you forgot to state that.

The layer is named: A-Glaz-Curt
2) How do you know it's empty/not being used, which commands and tools did you use to confirm that?

I use the PURGE command. It shows up as a "purgeable object" which means there are no objects in it
3) What year version of ACA are you alone running? And what year version of AutoCAD are they running?

I am on 2024, The drawing where the layer was originally created on ACAD 2023. (See Below) The oldest version here is 2022.  
4) Does this mystery unnamed layer only show up in DWGs you alone created?

It shows up on drawings on which I have worked.  Someone else may create the DWG, but when I work on it, it appears. 
5) Or does everyone in their own files, not yours, have the issue as well?

So far, it looks like any file someone else has created doe NOT have this layer. However, I maintain the base DWGs from which everyone else creates there projects. This layer is appearing more often. 

It was most likely created when an Architect, named Curt, and I were working on a DWG together.  He works in regular AutoCAD. I work with AutoCAD Architecture.  His windows were not blocks but just geometry of lines. My windows were AEC objects.  The layer was created so our 2 different window styles would NOT be on the same layer.  With his approval, I put his windows on the A-Glaz-Curt layer.  At the time, this was to be a temporary layer we would use and delete when the design was finalized, but now I cannot get rid of it.

So far, the layer is not causing any instability issues or other problems.  I just cannot get rid of it.

I have even changed the layer's name and deleted it. It returns.  I have been working with AutoCAD since 1995. I have NEVER seen anything like this.

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

NEW INFORMATION:

I created a drawing that did NOT have the A-Glaz-Curt Layer in it.  It was the only drawing I had opened. 

The A-Glaz-Curt layer did not appear until I opened another drawing that had the A-Glaz-Curt layer in it.

[pendean]

@JOHN.MORGANYRTFK attached is your file. I removed the layer. Closed and restarted ACA, plain AutoCAD and LT several times (opened your file, panned around, printed, qsaved and closed). That layer never reappears and is still not there.

What did I miss? Oh, I don't have and never had your modified multi-layer custom modified window style most likely. You must be still using it every single time.

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

The A-Glaz-Curt Layer was created by renaming the original A-Glaz layer and letting ACA create A-Glaz again when I dropped in the new windows.

So is this layer something within a window style? 

The phantom layer seems to return inly when I have another drawing open that has this layer in it.  

Try this:

Create a copy of the sample drawing I sent you.

Have the original and the copy open at the same time. 

Delete the layer from 1 of the drawings.

Switch from the drawing where you deleted the layer to the other drawing containing the layer

Switch back.

The phantom layer should return.

This is what happens to me.

Is the layer in a custom window style? If so, how do I remove it.

[R_Tweed]

I did not see a reference to purging from the style manager.  Have you tried that?

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

I have not tried that. Let me see what happens.  

UPDATE:  I just tried it.

I currently have 3 drawings open. I purged the layer from the drawing then used the Style Manager Purge. I did this for all 3 open drawings. When I returned to the 1st purged drawing, the layer had returned.  When I have no other drawing open, the layer does not return.  I can delete it without a problem. It does not return. If I have more than 1 drawing open with the layer present in them, the layer will return no matter what DELETE, PURGE, or LAYDEL command I use.   

[pendean]

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@JOHN.MORGANYRTFK wrote:

So is this layer something within a window style? 

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Yes. And you've embedded it into every glazing object you've added into all of your files.

If a reset or removal/reinstall of your ACA does not help stop it (aka you'll have the same setup we all do), consider embracing it.

Best wishes.

[R_Tweed]

Do any of the drawings have xref's attached?

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

There are no X-Refs.  The Sample drawing above duplicates the problem. 

Though we do use X-Refs, the problem is not exclusive to drawings with X-Refs.

[R_Tweed]

That does seem like a singular problem.

Maybe check your layer key assignments. Units and then check layering tab.  Maybe a layer key is attached to something?  I've not had ACA make layers without doing "something". Just not sure what that something is on your machine. Good luck

check Style manager.

[JOHN.MORGANYRTFK]

I always have my Style Browser Open too. When I closed it and deleted the Phantom Layer, the layer did NOT return. So it is definitely in a style.