can't delete layer -- message says layer has block definitions

[jsclage]

can't delete block --

error message attached

 

[maxim_k]

Hi @jsclage ,

Looks like you need to follow the recommendation in the alert - move the objects to another layer in one of the blocks that are used in the drawing.

You can use "Non purgeable items" tab of PURGE command to find out which blocks use a layer that you can't delete.

In the example below the layer "WALL" is assigned to 16 lines inside block and cannot be removed from the drawing:

[jsclage]

Hi Maxim,

How do I open the PURGE window? When I activate the purge command found at the top menu, or type in the command PURGE, this box appears.

Thank you

 

[maxim_k]

Hi John,

Looks like you use an old AutoCAD version, PURGE dialog was introduced in 2019 version.

If you don't have an ability to use PURGE dialog, you need to find objects with the layer you want to remove manually.

You can also try to use -LAYMGR command to merge layer you want to remove with some other layer.

Can you share your problem drawing here?

I can look at it.

[jsclage]

 Hey Maxim

I tried the laymgr command, hoping to move any object on a layer before attempting to delete layer. On typing in laymgr, it replies, "select object on target layer to merg" but no object is visible. grrrr

[maxim_k]

@jsclage 

>>>>but no object is visible

The target layer is the layer you want to move the objects to. You can select any available in the drawing layer that suits you.

You can share your drawing here - I'll look at it.

[pendean]

---

@jsclage wrote:

I tried the laymgr command, hoping to move any object on a layer before attempting to delete layer. On typing in laymgr, it replies, "select object on target layer to merg" but no object is visible. grrrr

---

If you watch the commandline after starting LAYMRG command, you have the option to select a name for the layer you wish to merge

Do that now. We all can do it that way too.

[jsclage]

Problem: there are objects on "N Trellis"–the layer I would like to delete.  I have typed the command "UNHIDE" thinking that perhaps they are hidden, but no change.

It still seems that there is a block, or block definition, that's glued to the N Trellis.

Thank you

[maxim_k]

John,

Can you share this drawing?

I can look at it and maybe will be able to help you with removing "N Trellis" layer from it.

[jsclage]

Please!. my dwg file "double hung window" is attached.

I would like to add that this problem–not being allowed to delete a layer–happens all the time.  When I try to delete a layer, the window pops up saying "the selected layer[s] contain objects in one or more block definitions and cannot be deleted."

[maxim_k]

@jsclage 

I opened your drawing, turned on layer "N Trellis", because it was turned off, now I see that there are 8 objects on the layer "N Trellis" - 2 lines and 6 dimension objects:

AutoCAD treats dimension objects as blocks (unanimous blocks), that is why you cannot remove this layer.

Even if you ERASE these dimension objects, you still need to remove their definitions with PURGE command or you can close and reopen drawing after erasing dimension objects. After PURGE or reopening drawing you will be able to remove "N Trellis" layer from the drawing.

In short:

If you have dimensions in the drawing, AutoCAD treats them as blocks. If you erase these dimension objects their "unanimous definitions" remains in the drawing until you PURGE them or until you save and reopen drawing.

[jsclage · Accepted solution]

Hi Maxim,

Unless my software is really out of whack, unfortunately the objects you are discussing are on the layer "rough openings", not "N Trellis". 

There is one odd thing that happened. I decided to delete all objects on "rough openings". I then was finally able to delete layer "N Trellis". 

The really odd thing is this. I reinstated layer "N Trellis". I then  reinserted the objects I had deleted on layer "rough openings".  I then was able to delete layer "N Trellis".  

Could this mean my software was mistakenly assigning objects to both layers "rough draft" and "N Trellis"?

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi @jsclage ,

>>>>>unfortunately the objects you are discussing are on the layer "rough openings"

Sorry for misunderstanding.

I thought you were talking about the "N Trellis" layer, as you wrote in previous posts.

If we talk about "rough openings" layer, there is another thing:

There is a hidden block definition in your drawing - _DetailCallout, which is visible in INSERT dialog:

This block has 2 attribute definitions. By default they should be on layer "0", but in your drawing they are on the layer  "rough openings" for some reason. Apparently someone edited this block in your drawing...

If you open this block in Block Editor and change the layer of attribute definitions in it to "0", you will be able to remove "rough openings" layer.