C3D2020 DTEXT and MTEXT not defaulting to current layer

[JeffJohnson525]

Something happened with my Autocad (Civil 3D 2020) today that I cannot find a solution to.  When I create MTEXT or DTEXT, it has always gone on whatever the current layer is.  Now, when I try to add text, Autocad creates a layer in the layer properties manager called "Text layer" and puts my text on that layer.  It doesn't matter what my current layer is...it just creates this new layer and throws it on there.  I've spent about an hour googling and going through the Autodesk Forum to see if anyone else has come across this problem and I can't seem to find an answer.

As a side note, I checked my system variables and CLAYER is set for the proper layer that I would want all of my text to default to.

Thanks ahead of time for any answers!  

[pendean]

Did you look up the TEXTLAYER variable/command in HELP yet https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/AutoC...

or someone loaded a 3rd party LISP for you to do that if your 2020 is not up to the 2020.1 level yet.

HTH

[JeffJohnson525]

So, the TEXTLAYER system variable isn't available with the way we have our Civil 3D configured.  It may be one of our in-house LISP routines that aren't working right on my computer.  I've checked with my other co-worker's and they don't have the same problem that I do.    

[pendean]

---

@JeffJohnson525 wrote:

So, the TEXTLAYER system variable isn't available with the way we have our Civil 3D configured. 

---

That does not tell me much of anything. Sorry. Share your ABOUT command pop-up, and the one from the other PC you tested on. Then confirm your method of launching those commands.

As a test, at the commandline type the command below (notice the dot in the name) then hit <enter> key to launch it while your active layer is 0 and see if your mtext shows up on that one custom layer again.

.MTEXT

What happens with the layer the new text you type?

[JeffJohnson525]

Here are the screenshots of mine and my co-worker's ABOUT command pop-up's.

I tried your recommendation to set my current layer to 0 and type in .MTEXT and still came up with the added layer.  

Here's step by step what happens in the .MTEXT command:

1. .MTEXT

2. Specify first corner

3. Specify second corner

***Once I specify the second corner, the layer "Text layer" suddenly pops up in my Layer Properties Manager.

4. Type in my text and exit command.

The default text style we use (Tahoma) and height (0.12) are correct every time I add text.  It's just the new layer creation that's the problem.

My Coworker CPUMY CPU

[AllenJessup]

I'm not sure what you mean by " the TEXTLAYER system variable isn't available with the way we have our Civil 3D configured" Does your CAD Manager have a way of hiding system variables from the users?

What happens if you type TEXTLAYER at the command prompt?

Also try (GETVAR "TEXTLAYER") at the command line.

[JeffJohnson525]

If I type in TEXTLAYER at my command prompt, it opens the "Choose Spatial Database File" window, which is -MAPTEXTLAYERCREATE, like TEXTLAYER doesn't exist, so it autocompletes.  Now, if my co-worker types in TEXTLAYER, the command prompt comes up properly to enter a new value for TEXTLAYER or use current.  Here's screenshots of our command lines. 

If I type in GETVAR, it says unknown command.  My coworker's CPU does the same thing.

My Coworker CPUMy CPU

[user181]

Start command INPUTSEARCHOPTIONS and make sure under Autocorrect that you have Search system variables checked. Or use the command SETVAR and enter TEXTLAYER and set it to . 

[JeffJohnson525]

I did both of your recommendations and I think this is the problem:

Command: SETVAR
Enter variable name or [?]: textlayer
Unknown variable name. Type SETVAR ? for a list of variables.

It seems the TEXTLAYER variable isn't available to me anymore? 

[user181]

What if you type in .TEXTLAYER  with the decimal in front?  Can you change it then?

[Pointdump]

Hi Jeff,
Is TEXTLAYER available to you through Express Tools?
Dave

[tcorey · Accepted solution]

While your Civil 3D versions are equal, your colleague has a newer update of AutoCAD. That's a separate update from Civil 3D.

Have you tried typing TEXTLAYER and then just a period and enter?

[AllenJessup · Accepted solution]

You're right. It's not available to you. As @tcorey pointed out. You need to update your AutoCAD version. TEXTLAYER isn't available until 2020.1 The only reason I can think of that you had the layer "Text Layer" set is that there was a remnant of testing for the new variable in the 2020 release and it was somehow accidentally activated by you or a custom file.

[JeffJohnson525]

Thank you for your solutions.  As it turned out, I had to run the Autocad 2020.15 update (I use Civil 3D 2020) and that seemed to fix the problem.

"The only reason I can think of that you had the layer "Text Layer" set is that there was a remnant of testing for the new variable in the 2020 release and it was somehow accidentally activated by you or a custom file."

Thanks to AllenJessup (Mentor)  for the solution!

[JeffJohnson525]

.TEXTLAYER came up still as not being found.  As it turned out, I had to run the Autocad 2020.15 update (I use Civil 3D 2020) and that seemed to fix the problem.

"The only reason I can think of that you had the layer "Text Layer" set is that there was a remnant of testing for the new variable in the 2020 release and it was somehow accidentally activated by you or a custom file."

Thanks to AllenJessup (Mentor)  for the solution!

[AllenJessup]

You're welcome. Glad you got it remedied. @tcorey's post lead me to check when the variable was introduced and that lead to the answer.

[JeffJohnson525]

I ran the AutoCad 2020.15 update and the TEXTLAYER option became available.  I'm still not sure what triggered the text layer change, but updating solved the problem.  Thanks!

[JeffJohnson525]

The update ended up being the solution.  TEXTLAYER was not an option and .TEXTLAYER didn't work either until I ran the update this morning.  I'm still not sure what triggered the change in text going onto "Text layer", but glad to have it resolved.  Thanks!