Layer Properties Manager Icons

[daelen_eiberger]

I've just noticed something on my layer properties manager that I've never seen. When you open up the actual Layer Properties Manager tool palette, all of the layers are displayed and to the left of the layer there is a blue shape, or a checkmark. I have only ever seen these two symbols next to the layers. 

But today I saw a WHITE shape next to the layers. What does that mean? I've tried hovering over it and checking whats different but I cant see anything.

[pendean]

"white" means empty layer: there are no objects directly in it.

[user181 · Accepted solution]

Blue means contains object and white contains no objects.   Many more see below from Help file:

[ВeekeeCZ]

If you ever need to toggle on/off this indication...

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

@daelen_eiberger 

Blue icon=Layer is 'in use'

White icon=Layer in not in use

You may DELETE a white layer.

You cannot DELETE a blue layer.

WARNING:

You are showing Civil 3D layers. Deleting a 'white' layer may adversely affect you, your firm and those you share drawings with. Certain operations, such as creating an alignment, creating a TINN or inserting cogos, will use default layers. If that default layer is no longer present C3D will substitute another one which may not be in the best interest of you and other stakeholders of your project. 

[daelen_eiberger]

THANK YOU. That is super helpful

[daelen_eiberger]

Yeah I am new to Civil3D and its uhhh.. terrifying. There are a million
layers and anything I do can affect a lot of other dwg's in ways I didnt
want to. But the program is so much more in-depth and powerful that I'm
glad I'm learning it and am having a lot of fun modifying the land.

That makes sense the not in use/in use thing. Thank you so much! I
appreciate your answer, it was very clear and informative.

[TomBeauford]

Layer Filters are a must for using Civil 3D!
This should help:

; (load "LayFilterAdd.lsp")
; ^C^C^P(or LayFilterAdd (load "LayFilterAdd.lsp"));(LayFilterAdd)
; [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]Newer versions automatically display Xref Layer Filters **Adding Xref Layer Filter names the same as them can cause serious issues**[/COLOR][/B]
; Save, close and reopen the DWT or DWG for the Filters to be put into alphabetical order.
(defun LayFilterAdd (/ collection names)
;  (load "LFD.lsp")
;  (command "C:LFD" "All*") *Layers
  (setq names (list ""))
  (if (not (vl-catch-all-error-p (setq collection (vl-catch-all-apply
    (function (lambda () (vla-item (vla-getextensiondictionary (vla-get-layers (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))) "ACAD_LAYERFILTERS")))
  ))))
;  (vlax-for item collection (setq names (cons (strcase (vla-get-name item)) names))))
  (vlax-for item collection (setq names (cons (vla-get-name item) names))))
  names 
  (or(member "CALC Points" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"V-NODE-CALC\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "CALC Points" "X" nil))
  (or(member "HATCH No xrefs" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~*|*\" and NAME==\"*HATCH\"" "HATCH No xrefs" "X" nil))
  (or(member "Linetype" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "LINETYPE==\"~Continuous\"" "Linetype" "X" nil))
  (or(member "Lineweight" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "LINEWEIGHT==\"~Default\"" "Lineweight" "X" nil))
  (or(member "NCS" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"[A,C,E,L,V]-*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "NCS" "X" nil))
  (or(member "NCS No xrefs" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~*|*\" and NAME==\"[A,C,E,L,V]-*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "NCS No xrefs" "X" nil))
  (or(member "No NCS" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~[A,C,E,L,V]-*\"" "No NCS" "X" nil))
  (or(member "No NCS or xrefs" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~*|*\" and NAME==\"~[A,C,E,L,V]-*\"" "No NCS or xrefs" "X" nil))
  (or(member "No NODE" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~*|*\" and NAME==\"[A,C,E,L,V]-*\" and NAME==\"~*-NODE*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "No NODE" "X" nil))
  (or(member "NODE" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"~*|*\" and NAME==\"[A,C,E,L,V]-*\" and NAME==\"*-NODE*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "NODE" "X" nil))
  (or(member "Profile" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"C-ROAD-PROF*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "Profile" "X" nil))
  (or(member "Sections" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"C-ROAD-SEC*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "Sections" "X" nil))
  (or(member "Topo" names)(command "._-layer" "filter" "new" "property" "All" "NAME==\"C-TOPO*\" or NAME== \"Layer*\"" "Topo" "X" nil))
  (princ "Layer Filter Names » ")(princ names)
;  (princ "\nSave, close and reopen the DWT or DWG for the Filters to be put into alphabetical order.")
  (princ)
); function
(LayFilterAdd)