Blocks on wanted on specific layers

[MRF80]

Hi all,

Some advice if possible?

I’ve created many blocks and had created them so that they could only be placed on to a specific layer, or so I thought.

I’d read many times, that best practice was usually to create  blocks on layer zero, so that when you place the block it will take up the properties of whatever layer you place it on.  Well, I didn’t really want that, as most the blocks I have, I’d only ever want them placed on a specific layer.

For example- I have a layer called FIXED FURNITURE which has everything in red. I have created a lot of fixed furniture blocks, such as kitchen and bedroom cabinets.  I would only ever want these to be on the FIXED FURNITURE layer, so I created these blocks on that FIXED FURNITURE layer, as it seemed logical for my purposes. I  imagine it’s very easy to have  different layer active and then place a block on that layer mistakenly, so I presumed that by doing what I previously mentioned would have solved this potential issue.

However I’ve found that if I place a block created in a specific layer (other than layer zero), it does go onto the layer that I’d created it in, but it also goes onto the active layer as well.  For example- If I have the layer called WALLS active and I place in a block that was created on the FIXED FURNITURE layer it seems to be visible in both. So if I freeze/hide the WALLS layer, the block I created in the FIXED FURNITURE layer also gets frozen/hidden.

The other problem with this is, that as the FIXED FURNITURE block only ever appears in RED you don’t see it take on the colour property of the layer it’s placed on.  So if this block is mistakenly placed on the WALLS layer which is white, it still appears red, so there is no visual indication that’s it been miss placed on the incorrect layer. So on this point I see the benefit of creating on layer zero.

How do I ensure that my blocks only go on a specific layer?  Or can this only be done by ensuring you have the correct layer active when placing.

Any help gratefully appreciated!

Kind regards

Matt

[imadHabash]

Hi,

For me .... i'm always put all of my fixed furniture on a certain layer then attache them as an xref . i mean that i just gather them alone without any thing else like walls , windows , doors , .... then insert them as an attachment over my plans . in this way i guarantee that i keep all of my blocks on their own layer and to other useful uses . 

[skintsubby]

Hi @MRF80 

One option if you use tool palettes? You can specify the insert layer that they are to go on (right click the icon then "properties". it's under the "general" area)

Mark

[MRF80]

Hi Mark,



Thanks for reply.



I had seen this as an option on another forum post. It looks like I'd have to go through every block individually within the tool pallet to make it happen yes?

[skintsubby · Accepted solution]

Hi @MRF80 

It depends on how your palettes are set up. In each palette  you can click on the first block, then shift+click on the last block, then change all the properties in that palette in one go.

Mark

[MRF80]

Ok I'll giev it a go. Thanks for your help Mark!

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

@MRF80 

Yes. You can place a block on a specific layer even though your target layer is NOT the current layer. You can read the explanation here on Post #13 of this thread. The explanation includes a link to a >>VIDEO.<<

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

@MRF80 

Yes. You can place a block on a specific layer even though your target layer is NOT the current layer. You can read the explanation here on Post #13 of this thread. The explanation on Post #13 includes a >>VIDEO.<<

[vladimir_michl]

Beside Tool palettes, you can also use the FLAY reactor (free) to direct specified blocks to given layers. You can preset the blocks by names or by wildcard mask.

See CAD Forum - Force layer for selected commands (objects) - FLay.

Vladimir Michl, www.arkance-systems.cz - www.cadforum.cz

[MRF80]

Thanks for taking time to reply. It definitely looks as if this method, using the tool pallets is the best way to go! I'll be looking to create and store a tool pallet on our server so it can be shared with a team of 5 people. That's my nest task!



Thanks again!