Using non-plotting layers

[Anonymous]

Hello, I have a question about using non-plotting layers when drafting. We have a layer that we use for viewports (VPORT) and we often use it for objects that we want to be hidden but not removed. I also often use it for layout lines for drafting objects. I have a habit of forgetting that I have VPORT layer current when inserting blocks or putting in dimensions and they show up on my screen with proper colors, but obviously don't plot to paper.

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to avoid this, other than the obvious one of just paying closer attention. I am doing my best to eliminate this mistake, but they still occasionally slip through, and I'm seeking a fool-proof solution or edit strategy.

Thanks!

Michael

[S.Faris]

it might need a lisp inorder to get it done. 

For example : Every time your execute the plot command, the lisp will run and move all viewports in the drawing to a specific layer(non-plot). In this way you don't have to change the layers while creating a viewport, the layer assignment will be handled by the lisp before plotting.

Autolisp Forum is over here : Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization

[user181]

Hi @Anonymous   I set my non plot layer to a color that is not used for any other layer or objects.  That way when I see it on the screen I know it is on a non plot layer and won't print. 

[Anonymous]

Oh we do have it as red and we don't use red for anything else. The problem is, when I create a dimension object(even when DIMASSOC is set to 0 to explode the dimension) the colors stay as the colors we want for dimensions. So even though I see cyan and yellow for the dimensions, they are still on the non-plotting layer. And I don't always catch this. The same for inserting blocks. I'll insert a label block or something and it shows as the proper colors, while still being in the non-plotting layer.

Thanks,

Michael

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I'll insert a label block or something and it shows as the proper

>> colors, while still being in the non-plotting layer.

Can you please upload the dwg-file with that one block in a none-plotable layer, so we can look into it?

- alfred -

[ChicagoLooper]

Use a Tool Palette to insert your blocks. It is easy to set up without using lisp. If you can click your mouse then you can do it (it also helps if you can click and drag too). At 4:25 it explains how you can 'pre-select' your layer. This means your block will be inserted on a layer that's NOT the current layer.  To see how click  >>HERE<<

[ВeekeeCZ]

I see your point. This happens too often, blocks are in wrong layer, xrefs in witchever layer was current at the time it was attached... This is a problem, because you don't have direct visual control. Better software design could prevent that... Why there is no current layer indicator in insert dialog? Why is setting of new XREFLAYER sysvar nowhere visible? Hmm, but it's nothing that we could change.

--------

For dimensions, there is a solution of using DIMLAYER...

For all the rest I can imagine a very simple prevention. Never set the non-plotable layer as current. Always change the layer backwards. You can make a macro-button "Change Layer to no-plot".

There are also possible some LISP solutions...

- routine could list/select/highlight all (types of) objects on that layer... 

- routine LISP - a reactor which will alert you when you try to insert block or dim into that layer... (woudn't my first choice)

[dbroad]

I'm not sure that anything is 100% reliable but here are some things that I do.

1. Avoid making the non-plotting layer current.  Draw what you want not to plot and then use the properties palette to adjust it.
2. Make the non-plotting layer a unique color that stays in color even in layouts that have been set to display as plotted.  I use color 140 because the Architectural CTB plot styles keep that in color and because AutoCAD Architecture adopted that color for its non-plotting layer.  I even set layer defpoints to that same color.
3. Use palettes for block content with the layer settings preset.

There are also customization options:

1. As mentioned earlier, let the viewports be changed at plot time automatically.
2. A custom command to highlight all objects on non-plotting layers.

Similar unpleasant surprises happen to me with annotation scaling objects disappearing on plots. That too requires careful checking.

[neaton]

I use plot preview before printing to quickly check for missing items or ones that are the wrong linetype or lightweight which shows they are on the wrong layer.

Tool palettes, DIMLAYER and HPLAYER are the biggest help for adding elements on the correct layer. SELECTSIMILAR is more time consuming but can help also getting similar elements on the correct layer.

Nancy

[Michiel.Valcke]

I usually prepare two separate layers for non-plotting purposes, one for VPORTS and one I call HIDDEN, which I use for elements that need to be present in the drawing but not in the plots. 

I put both of them in the most ugly color that is not used in any standard. That way I am visually reminded the moment I try to draw something that I'm working in one of those layers. 

[RobDraw]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm seeking a fool-proof solution or edit strategy.

---

Color overrides may be too advanced for the users if not being aware of the current layer is a problem. Like others have said, use a unique color for non-plotting layers but also stop using color overrides, i.e. every objects color is set to by-layer. If the overrides are not used, there will be the visual indicator of the unique color that is being used for non-plotting layers.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Michiel.Valcke wrote:

.... layers for non-plotting purposes ... in the most ugly color that is not used in any standard. That way I am visually reminded the moment I try to draw something that I'm working in one of those layers. 

---

I do the same.  The problem is [see Message 1 again] that Blocks  can be made up of things on Layers other than 0, and Dimensions  can have their pieces defined to be in colors other than ByLayer, in both of which cases the color-based visual reminder doesn't function.  In the case of Dimensions, I at least always have the text and dimension-line colors defined as ByLayer, even though I usually give the extension  lines a color that plots at a lighter lineweight.  So I get that reminder from at least parts  of Dimensions.  Apart from that, I have nothing better to suggest than what's already been discussed....

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

This video shows how to insert a block onto a non-current layer. This video begins with a plain, No Template Imperial drawing. As you know, there's only one layer: 0. This means the current layer must be 0. How can it be anything else?

Set up your Tool Palette. For organizational purposes, use a tab within the Palette to host your blocks. You may even make separate tabs for different block categories. Right click the block icon in the palette and customize the properties, specifically the LAYER dropdown under the GENERAL section.

If the target layer isn't displayed in the dropdown, create a DEMO drawing, add your target layers in the Layer Properties Manager then drag and drop your block(s) to modelspace. You can then customize the block icons in the Palette because the target layer will now appear in the dropdown. When you're done, close the DEMO (you don't even need to save the DEMO). The target layer will stick to the Palette icon from this point forward so whenever you use the palette you blocks will be placed on the target layer.

The only requirement is the block dwg file that hosts your blocks. This block library must be accessible. If the block library is on a server and you're working remotely, you'll need to connect to that server. To alleviate this issue, make a copy of the block file and save it locally on your hard drive. You'll need to update your local block library if and when the block library on the server is changed.  If your don't work remotely, this won't be an issue and you are good to go.

1-Create new, blank palette. Drag and drop your block from modelspace onto the new Palette.

2-Right click block icon on the Palette then pre-select the destination of the block when it's inserted.

T o see video, click >>HERE<<.

[s.borello]

I create a layer called "non-plot-notes" and draw things I don't want to plot only on that layer.  I would advise against using defpoints or VP layers. 

[Anonymous]

Oh yes! This is perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. This should completely solve the inserting blocks side of the problem.

Thank you much!

Michael

[Anonymous]

Now if I could solve the issue with dimensions, I'd be set. I wonder if there is a way to "insert" dimensions on a non-current layer?

[Michiel.Valcke]

Someone gave the great suggestion to use a toolpallette to insert your
blocks. It will solve your problem of never being able to import a block on
a layer other than the one defined in the toolpallette. So they would have
to manually move it to another layer.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, great solution! I saw that and just posted a thank you reply. I just changed all my blocks to insert on appropriate layers and it's working great!

I'm now trying to figure out if a similar thing can be done with dimensions, because we have dimension lines and text set on specific colors, so they show up as those colors, regardless of my current layer(hence occasionally ending up on a non-plotting layer without me catching it).

Thanks,

Michael

[S.Faris · Accepted solution]

DIMLAYER Command can be used to set the Default layer for Dimensions

[Anonymous]

S.Faris and ChicagoLooper, thank you! You two solved both halves of my problem. Your solutions have been applied and are exactly what I needed.

Thanks a million!

Michael