How do I copy objects to a new layer or duplicate a layer?

[soupisgoodfood]

Hi. I thought this would be a relatively easy task, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to simply duplicate a layer or copy selected objects to a different or new layer.

I've done a lot of Googling, but some of the commands they used don't exist in AutoCAD 2014 for Mac (copytolayer). Then I came across a support page from AutoCAD's own site: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACDMAC/2014/ENU/index.html?url=files/GUID-5DC29DC6-EFDE-4310-B526-8F633CF6F...

But that doesn't even make any sense to me. I've been watching video tutorials for both AutoCAD 2014 and specifically for the Mac version, and I can't figure out what the "Home tab" is, or what the "Layers panel" is, either. I'm guessing they mean the layers palette? But that doesn't have any button called "Copy Objects to New Layer". The title clearly says AutoCAD 2014 for Mac, so I'm not looking at the wrong help.

I thought I was getting the hang of AutoCAD. Obviously not, since I'm too dumb to figure out how to do something as basic as duplicate a layer (including the actual contents, of course).

Also, why does this site disable my spell checker in Safari? It won't automatically underline misspelled words. And when I force it to check, right clicking on an incorrect word no longer shows any suggestions.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

Yes, you are right - there is a bug in AutoCAD for Mac on-lone help, seems that Help topic you referred is for PC version of AutoCAD.

About Layer Tools (Utilities) in AutoCAD for Mac.

Some of them were added since initial 2011 version (such as LAYON and LAYTHW), some - not.

If you are using full AutoCAD, then you can try AutoLISP routine from my blog:

http://wp.me/p10TA2-6y

which contains COPYTOLAYER command.

I think also that with the help of AutoLISP it is possible to create routine for duplicating layers.

About Spell check:

Yes, the code of Post/Reply page contains these strings:

onload="window.parent.tinyMCE.get('tinyMceEditor').onLoad.dispatch();"contenteditable="true"spellcheck=“false”

 And if you need to enable Mac OS spell check you need to "Inspect element" from right-click inside Reply window and replace 

spellcheck="false" with spellcheck="true"

Or you can use this button to spell-check inside Reply window:

The last is the way which Autodesk suggests.

Maxim

[soupisgoodfood]

Thanks. That worked great.

When it asks for the layer name and specifies "< name> [name]", what does that mean? I tried to type only the layer name, but that didn't work, so I made sure dynamic input was on and chose it from the menu that comes up.

I still don't understand why AutoCAD, even the lesser Mac version, doesn't have an easy way to duplicate a layer. Is this something that most people simply don't do? Do they have other workflows that don't require the need to duplicate objects and layers in the way I'm trying to do?

[maxim_k]

---

@soupisgoodfood wrote:

..

When it asks for the layer name and specifies "< name> [name]", what does that mean? I tried to type only the layer name, but that didn't work, so I made sure dynamic input was on and chose it from the menu that comes up.

....

---

Yes, you are right - little bit confusing.

When routine asks about layer name to copy selected objects to:

Select object on destination layer or <Name> [Name]:

It asks to select an object on screen which layer became destination layer for selected objects you want to copy, or you can type N (or hit Return) to select layer from dialog.

Maxim

[dgorsman]

Part of that has to do with the structure of the data.  While many think of entities existing on a layer, in fact its the other way around: the layer name is a property of each entity.  This means that a layer doesn't directly "know" which objects are on it.  In order to copy all entities on a layer to another layer, first all entities in the drawing must be checked to see if they are on the source layer or not.  Those which are can then be copied (individually -  again, this is a method of the entity, not the layer) and then the layer property of those copies is changed to the destination layer name.

[soupisgoodfood]

Yeah, but I would have thought that if a 3rd party can make a script that can accomplish the task, that Autodesk would have the skills to implement such a feature by now, regardless of the underlying architecture. That's why I was wondering if maybe my workflow is simply not the correct way to do things in AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

Hi Maxim,

Is there any other way to duplicate a layer's content to a new layer?  A workaround of some kind?  

I'm not familiar with AutoLISP routines-  plus when I downloaded the file, it doesn't appear to need unzipping- I can't seem to find a folder to put it in that includes a startup sequence...I must be doing something wrong- or perhaps it's because I'm using the student version?  

Thanks,

Helen

[maxim_k]

Hi Helen,

The file you downloaded with the link from my post on Macacad is ZIP archive- it's name is LAY_tools.lsp.zip. You can extract it by double clicking on it. Than you will get LAY_tools.lsp file.
If you used Safari to download this file, than it should go to Downloads folder on your Mac. After extracting it you can put LAY_tools.lsp anywhere inside your home folder, but I'd suggest you to create special folder for such files, for example "AutoCAD Support" folder inside Documents folder.
Than you can load this routine in AutoCAD with APPLOAD command (see more on how to use this command in AutoCAD on-line Help documentation).
About Startup Suite - it just help you to have Autolosp routines loaded automatically to each drawing, because by default you need to load Autolisp routines each time you open DWG file.
And don't forget that since AC 2014 you need to confirm each loading of Autolisp routine, or add the folder where you have your Autolisp routines to the TRUSTEDPATHS system variable.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

what if you dont have full autocad just the student version?

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,
The "student" version is related to the type of license you have, and not related to the full or LT version.
If you have AutoCAD for Mac, than you can use AutoLISP routines.
If you have AutoCAD LT for Mac, than it is not a full version.

What kind of troubles do you have?

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Hi

thanks for quick responding, im using autocad for mac but it turned out that I could move the lines that I was working on to another layer just by right clicking on the mouse and move to layer 😄 im learning 🙂

[Anonymous]

I am trying to highlight drawn objects and place them on the layer I wish them to go to in AutoCAD 2014 Lt for Mac and I can't figure out how to do this. Help please!

Thanks,

Delia

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

Select objects in the drawing area, right-click and select "Move to Layer" from context menu:

Another window should open where you select destination layer:

Please also verify that System Variable PICKFIRST=1:

Command:
Command: PICKFIRST
Enter new value for PICKFIRST <1>:
Command: 

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Maxim,

Thanks for this info. Is there a resource that describes what the COMMAND line input variables do? I have seen a list of COMMAND line variable abbreviations, and what they stand for, but not really a description of them- for example, what does PICKFIRST mean?

thanks,

Helen

[maxim_k]

Hi Helen:

Here it is:

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/learn-explore/caas/documentation/ACDMAC/2013/E...

Maxim

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to notify you that the download link in the webpage you provided isn't working at the moment

[maxim_k]

Hi Yahya,

I Just updated the link to the Layer Tools LSP in the MACACAD blog.
Here is an updated link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybkol0lvcds3lld/LAY_tools.lsp.zip?dl=0

HTH

[Anonymous]

Cheers