AutoCAD thinks a layer exists when it does not

[andrewANPVA]

Hi all,

I'm absolutely flabbergasted and have no idea what's going on. I'm running AutoCAD Mechanical 2014 (yes, I know it's old) and my layers were getting a little cluttered, so I moved everything to 0 and ran PURGE so I could start somewhat from scratch and neatly organize everything. My first order of business was to create a FRAME layer, but when I tried to do so, I was presented with an error saying that the layer already existed and I needed to choose a different name, as you can see in the image attached. But as you can also see, that layer does not actually exist. So..... what gives....? How do I fix this?

[imadHabash]

Hi,

@andrewANPVA 

Would you please attach here the CAD dwg itself for testing?

[andrewANPVA]

I've attached a modified copy of it. I've functionally removed all the actual drawing/model entities, but the layers are unchanged. I also discovered that "COOLER" is also a locked layer name.

[imadHabash]

Thanks for the CAD file...

Click on below image to see how it works with new FRAME layer. also there is NO COOLER layer or any locked layer in your origin CAD file.
I'm sure that there is something under your current work condition.

[andrewANPVA]

I mean, I can see that there's no COOLER nor FRAME layer, and I'm glad that you can create them, but that doesn't help me because I still can't....

[imadHabash]

@andrewANPVA wrote:

>> I've attached a modified copy of it. I've functionally removed all the actual drawing/model entities

I'm afraid that removing those entities are what enabled me to create the layer... which means there's something inherent in the drawing that's preventing you from creating this layer.

Therefore, to ensure we're working under the same conditions, I suggest you provide us with the exact same drawing, including all its contents, so we can see what we can do.

[andrewANPVA]

I cannot provide the file with all its content as-is as it has a fair bit of proprietary information that I cannot share. I would think on a forum for a product like this that that would be commonly understood. However, I discussed the issue with my supervisor and sanitized the document accordingly. This is the the best I can give you, though I don't know what else it'll get you beyond the file I originally shared. I effectively followed the same process for that one and just deleted everything, then added a few basic shapes to get some entities in there.

[pendean]

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@andrewANPVA wrote:

I cannot provide the file with all its content as-is as it has a fair bit of proprietary information that I cannot share. I would think on a forum for a product like this that that would be commonly understood. However, I discussed the issue with my supervisor and sanitized the document accordingly. This is the the best I can give you, though I don't know what else it'll get you beyond the file I originally shared. I effectively followed the same process for that one and just deleted everything, then added a few basic shapes to get some entities in there.

---

I can add that layer name to your posted DWG file anytime I want too, so whatever it is you are removing to sanitize the posted file is the culprit

[bhavani_sankuratri]

Hello @andrewANPVA 

Did the information provided by @imadHabash and @pendean  help you and answer your question?

If yes, please click on the "Accept Solution" button on the post(s) that solved your problem. This will assist other community users in finding and benefiting from this information.

If not, please do not hesitate to give an update in this thread so all community members receive an update on the progression of your question, and can suggest next steps that may be helpful for you to achieve what you're looking for.

All the best,

Bhavani Sankuratri | Community Manager

[andrewANPVA]

Saying "Well it works when I try it" is not a solution, so no, the problem has not been solved. However, I've provided as much information as I can, so I'm not sure what to do further.