Managing Layers (-Layer)

Use the -Layer command to create and control Layers and Layer properties.

It is the command window variant of the Layer command.

The name identifies Layers, and can be up to 255 characters long. You can use numbers, letters, and some punctuation: dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), underline (_), and spaces. Two Layers cannot have the same name in the same drawing. There is no limit to the number of Layer names in drawings.

To create Layers and control Layer properties:

1. Type -Layer at the command prompt.
2. Specify an option:
   • New: Creates a Layer.
     1. Type the name for the new Layer.
   • Make: Creates a Layer and makes it active.
     1. Type the name for the new Layer.
   • LColor. Sets the LineColor for entities on the Layers you specify.
     1. Specify the color by name or color number.
     2. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.
   • LStyle. Sets the LineStyle for entities on the Layers you specify. The default is Continuous Solid Line.
     1. Specify the LineStyle by name.
     2. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.

     Note: You can override the LineStyle assigned by the Layer for individual entities with the LineStyle command.

   • LWeight. Sets the line width for entities on the Layers you specify.
     1. Specify the line weight: default is 0.00 inches or millimeters; maximum is 0.08 inches or 2.11 mm.
     2. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.
   • Transparency. Sets the transparency of entities.
     1. Specify the transparency value: 0 is opaque, 90 is the maximum transparency.
     2. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.
   • On/Off. When a Layer is shown, the entities on it are visible. Entities on hidden Layers are invisible.
     1. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.
   • Freeze/Thaw. Freezing and thawing controls the visibility and the ability to edit Layers. When a Layer is frozen, its entities are protected and invisible. Unlike entities on Layers that are turned off, entities on frozen Layers are ignored when the drawing rebuilds. Entities on thawed Layers are unprotected and visible.
     1. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.

        Note: You cannot freeze the active Layer.

   • State: Saves and restores the state of the Layers in the drawing.

     Specify an option:

     • ?. Type a search string using wildcards (*, ?).
     • Delete. Deletes a saved Layer state.
     • • Specify the Layer state to delete.
     • Edit. Changes the properties of a saved Layer state. When you restore the Layer state, the specified values are used.
     • • Specify the Layer state to edit.
     • Export. Saves a specified Layer state to a .las file.
     • Import. Loads a .las file into the active drawing.
     • • Specify the Layer state to edit.
     • Name. Rename a saved Layer state.
     • • Specify the new name of the Layer state.
     • Restore. Restores the state of all Layers to the previously saved settings. It takes into account only those Layer states that were specifed when you saved the Layer state.

       Note: Layers that you added since the Layer state was last remain uneffected when you restore the Layer state.

     • Save. Saves the state and properties of the Layers in the current drawing under a specified name.
     • 1. Specify the name of the Layer state.
       2. Specify the properties to save with the Layer state: On/Off, Freeze/Thaw, Lock/Unlock, LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight, PrintStyle, Transparency, Print/No print, Freeze/Thaw in new Viewport, and Visibility in active Viewport.
   • Lock/Unlock. When a Layer is locked, you cannot edit the entities on that Layer. You can edit entities on unlocked Layers.
     1. Specify the Layer names, separated by commas.

        Note: When you lock the active Layer, you can create, but not modify entities on it.

   • Printable. You can determine whether Layers are printed or plotted. If you turn off printing for a Layer, the entities on the Layer are still displayed. Hidden or frozen Layers are not printed regardless of this setting.
     1. Specify the Printable or Not printable option.
     2. Specify the Layer names to include or exclude from print outputs, separated by commas.
   • ? to list: Displays a list of the set or subset of Layers defined in the drawing.
     • Type a search string using wildcards (*, ?), for example "dim*". Leave the input field empty to list all Layers.
3. Press Enter.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as needed.
5. Press Enter.

Access

Command: -Layer