How to show/hide a layer based on project property?

[tonyT8FK8]

My projects consist of a package of DWG's usually in the 12-15 count range, each with a single layout. I have a layer that is used as an overlay watermark for 'PRELIMINARY' sheets. I'm wondering if there is a way to dynamically show/hide this layer based on a custom project property or some other 'batch' means. Currently, i have to open each layout separately within the project and show/hide that layer manually. Or maybe another suggestion for marking sheets as preliminary within the project itself instead of via a layer? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Tony,

I think there are many ways to accomplish your task.

You can create drawing with dynamic block with "PRELIMINARY" text, which visibility you can toggle on and off. Then Xref this drawing to each of your drawings. Now you can toggle "PRELIMINARY" text visibility in external reference off to print entire project without watermark. If you need watermark, toggle "PRELIMINARY" text visibility in external reference on.

This way will work even without collecting drawings to Project.

Another way is to create custom Project property, You set this property to "PRELIMINARY" word or set it blank (actually it should contain space, because if you leave it blank you will see "----" in place of watermark). Then you create block with attribute containing custom Project property field created in previous step. Insert this block in all drawings. Now change custom Project property to "PRELIMINARY" word to print Project with watermark or change custom Project property to blank space to print Project without watermark.

This way will work only inside Project.

I'd prefer the first way as I noticed that sometimes blank space in custom Project property resets to nothing and block shows "----" in watermark.