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08. Formatting the Drawing

Contents
08. Formatting the Drawing

Introduction

Formatting means associating properties with drawing entities and using styles for different categories of entities.

Entity Properties

All drawing entities, such as Lines or Circles, have several properties. Some of the properties like Layer, LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight, and transparency are common to all entities.

Entity Properties introduces the basics of properties. Organizing the Drawing with Layers explains the concepts of working with Layers.

General properties of drawing entities include:

You can set and change Layer properties with the Layers Manager and entity properties on the Properties palette.

Layer Tools describes tools to change Layer modes or to delete entities on Layers.

Entity Styles

You can also change the styles of certain types of entities:

The Styles toolbar contains commands to create, modify, and manage styles.

Other Formatting Commands

The remainder of this chapter provides information about:

  • Unit system: Controls coordinate and angle display formats and precision.
  • Drawing boundaries: Sets and controls the bounds of the grid display and checks drawing bounds.
  • Renaming: Changes user-defined object names such as Layers, views, Blocks, or styles.

Applying Entity Properties

Entity properties include Layer, LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight, and transparency.

These characteristics are automatically associated with drawing entities when the drawing is created.

To set properties for new entities:

  • Use commands to set entity properties:
  • Use the Layers, Layer Tools, and Properties toolbars to set the properties that new entities adopt.

To change an entity’s properties:

  • Select an entity in the graphics area and use the:

Organizing the Drawing with Layers

You can organize a drawing by sketching using transparent Layers. You draw entities of a complete drawing onto different Layers. The Layers, imposed on top of one another, form the entire drawing. Layers can also contain functional elements such as InfiniteLines.

Layers are useful in separating entities, such as parts or subassemblies, or structural components, such as pipe sizes or building materials. They also serve to separate entities such as InfiniteLines, centerlines, outlines, dimension lines, or items to be placed in a group, such as foliage in an architectural drawing.

Layer 0: The Standard Layer

When you create a new drawing, you automatically generate Layer 0, the standard Layer. The LineColor white on a black background (or black on a white background) and the LineStyle Continuous are set automatically for this Layer.

You cannot delete or rename Layer 0.

Layer Properties

Each Layer has LineColor, LineStyle, and LineWeight properties. Anything you sketch on the Layer adopts the Layer’s properties unless you explicitly set a LineColor, LineStyle, or LineWeight other than those of the active Layer.

There are other Layer properties that let you switch between different states. These are show/hide, freeze/thaw, and lock/unlock.

The Layers and their properties are saved with the drawing.

Layer properties include:

  • Status: One Layer in each drawing is the active Layer, indicated in the Status column of the Layers Manager dialog box. New entities are placed on this Layer. Statuses are indicated by icons.
    • Status Description
    The layer is currently active.
    The layer contains entities and references. Viewport property overrides are turned on in a layout viewport.
    The layer does not contain entities and references. Viewport property overrides are turned on in a layout viewport.
    The layer contains entities. Viewport property overrides are turned on in a layout viewport.
    The layer does not contain entities. Viewport property overrides are turned on in a layout viewport.
  • Name: Each Layer has a name containing letters, numbers, or special characters such as underscores and dollar signs.
  • Visibility (Show or Hide): An advantage of Layers is that they aid in visualizing the part or drawing. Improve the clarity of a drawing by choosing Layers and hiding drawing entities.The button symbol indicates whether the Layer is shown or hidden. You can turn each Layer on or off independently.
  • Frozen or Thawed: You can control the visibility and the influence of entities within the Layer. A frozen Layer is invisible and protected and thus impossible to change. A frozen Layer is not included when you rebuild a drawing. When working with complex drawings, freezing unneeded Layers can increase performance. When you thaw a Layer, it becomes visible and you can make changes to it. You cannot freeze the active Layer.
  • Locked or Unlocked: You can protect Layers so the entities on the Layer cannot be changed. The locked state prevents unintentional modification. If a Layer is protected, you cannot change, add, or delete entities from the Layer. Change the status to unlocked if you want to work with entities on the Layer. You can sketch new entities on locked Layers, but you cannot modify them.
  • LineColor: You can set a color for each Layer or use the default (white). If you change the Layer color in the Layers Manager dialog box, all drawing entities of the Layer that have assigned the color ByLayer assume the new color. Because you can sketch on the active Layer only, new entities are in the standard color of the active Layer unless you specify a new color using the LineColor command.
  • LineStyle: A standard LineStyle is assigned to a line, Continuous by default. The chosen LineStyle is shown in the Layers Manager dialog box by Layer. All entities are sketched in the LineStyle of the Layer unless you choose another LineStyle.
  • LineWeight: You can set the LineWeight for entities on the Layer.
  • Transparency: You can set the transparency for entities on the Layer.
  • PrintStyle: You can assign individual PrintStyles to Layers.
  • Print: You can turn Layers on or off for printing.
  • Description: You can type a Layer description.

Managing Layers

Use the Layer command to create new Layers, set the active Layer, and specify Layer properties and behavior.

The command opens the Layers Manager palette.

For basic information on Layers, see Organizing the Drawing with Layers.

To access the Layers Manager palette:

  • Do one of the following:
    • Click Format > Layer on the menu.
    • Click Home > Layer > Layers Manager  on the ribbon.
    • Type Layer at the command prompt.

Creating Layers

You can create a new Layer any time. For efficiency, it is recommended that you plan Layers in advance.

You can also create Layers which will be initially freezed in all existing Viewports on layout Sheets. This option is available from the Model and on layout Sheets.

To create a new Layer:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, click New.
  2. Type a Layer Name and press Enter.

Note: If you want to create a new Layer with properties similar to that of an existing Layer, select that Layer in the Layers Manager, then click New. You have to change only those properties that you want be different.

To create a Layer initially freezed in all existing Viewports on layout Sheets:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, click New – VP Freeze.
  2. Type a Layer Name and press Enter.

Note: It is advisable to create a new Layer frozen in all existing Viewports if you want to thaw it selectively in only some Viewports, or if you want to use the Layer only in the Model.

Deleting Layers

You can delete unused Layers.

To delete Layers:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, select a Layer.
  2. Click Delete.

    The Layer is marked for deletion when the Status changes to .

  3. Repeat step 2 to delete other Layers.
  4. Click OK.

    The Layers marked for deletion are erased.

Note: You cannot delete Layers containing entities, the active Layer, Layer 0, or dependent Layers of referenced drawings.

Setting the Active Layer

One of the Layers must be the active one.

To set the active Layer:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, select a Layer.
  2. Click Activate.

    – or –

    Double-click the Status cell of the Layer you want active.

    The Status changes to .

Applying Layer States

You can save, restore and manage Layer States. Layer States are snapshots of current Layer settings.

To apply Layer States:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, click Layer States.
  2. In the Layer States dialog box, save, restore and manage Layer States.

Note: Independently from the Layers Manager, you can use the LayerState command to save and restore Layers.

Previewing Layer Selections

You can quickly preview the content of layers one by one or by a set of specified layers. This features lets you examine which entities are on which layers.

To preview Layer selections:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click Layer Preview.

    The Layers that are turned off are shown in the graphics area and in gray rows in the Layers list.

    If you click on a layer name in the list, all other layers will be disabled unless you have specified in advance that certain layers will be displayed in the Layer preview.

    Right-click and select Keep selection to keep layers that are marked this way, will continue to be displayed in the preview.

    Right-click and select Isolate selected layers to turn all selected layers on and all others off. This will not exit preview mode.

To cancel Layer preview:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click Layer Preview again.

Note: Independently from the Layers Manager, you can use the LayerPreview command to preview specified Layers.

Searching for Layers

In drawings with many Layers you can search for a specific Layer if you know a portion of the name. This feature lets you also reduce the set of layers shown in the Layers list (type * to display all Layers).

To search for Layers:

  • In the Filter expression box, type wildcards (? for a single character, or * for a string of characters) to list the matching Layer names.

    For example, type “e*” to display all Layers starting with “e”, or “*detail” to display all Layers ending with “detail” in the name.

You can use the following wildcards:

Wildcard Meaning Examples
* (asterisk) Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search string 2D* lists all Layer`names starting with 2D
? (question mark) Matches any single character ?BC matches ABC, BBC, CBC, etc.
~ (tilde) Matches anything but the pattern ~*XY* matches all Layer names that do not contain XY
# (pound) Matches any numeric digit #D matches 2D, 3D, 4D, etc.
@ (at) Matches any alphabetic character  
. (period) Matches any non-alphanumeric character  
` (reverse quote) Reads the next character literally `~XY matches ~XY
[] Matches any one of the characters enclosed  [AB]C matches AC and BC
[~] Matches any character not enclosed [~AB]C matches XC but not AC

Renaming Layers

You can change the names of existing Layers.

To rename Layers:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the Name cell of the Layer to rename.
  2. Type the new name and press Enter.

Accessing Layers Options

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the Options button.

    In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Layers expands.

Setting Layer Properties

You can set the following properties for Layers: LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight, transparency, PrintStyle, and a description.

LineColor

When you start a new drawing, new Layers are automatically assigned the color white. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the color of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear in the assigned Layer color except those to which you assign a LineColor directly (see: Setting LineColors).

To set Layer LineColors:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the LineColor cell you want to change.
  2. Select a LineColor or select Specify Color for more colors.

    The LineColor for the Layer is set. When you change the color, all entities on the Layer that were sketched with the color designated as ByLayer appear with the changed color. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a color other than the ByLayer color are not affected.

LineStyle

When you start a new drawing, new Layers are automatically assigned the continuous LineStyle. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the LineStyle of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear in the assigned LineStyle except those to which you assign a LineStyle directly (see: Loading and Setting LineStyles).

To set Layer LineStyles:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the LineStyle cell you want to change.
  2. Select a LineStyle or select Other to load a new LineStyle in the Line Style dialog box.

    The LineStyle for the Layer is set. When you change the LineStyle, all entities on the Layer that were sketched with the LineStyle designated as ByLayer appear with the changed LineStyle. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a LineStyle other than the ByLayer LineStyle are not affected.

LineWeight

When you start a new drawing, new Layers are automatically assigned the default LineWeight. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the LineWeight of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear with the assigned LineWeight except those to which you assign a LineWeight directly (see: Setting the Active LineWeight).

To set Layer LineWeights:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the LineWeight cell you want to change.
  2. Select a LineWeight.

    The LineWeight for this Layer is set. When you change the LineWeight, all entities on this Layer that were sketched with the LineWeight designated as ByLayer appear with the changed LineWeight. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a LineWeight other than the ByLayer LineWeight are not affected.

Transparency

You can specify the transparency level for specific Layers. When you start a new drawing, new Layers automatically have no transparency. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the transparency of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear with the assigned transparency except those to which you assign a transparency directly.

To set Layer transparency:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the Transparency cell to change.
  2. Specify a value between 0 and 90% where 0% means no transparency (opaque).

    The transparency for the Layer is set. When you change the transparency, all entities on the Layer that you created with the transparency designated as ByLayer appear with the specified transparency. Entities on the Layer that you created with a transparency other than ByLayer are unaffected.

PrintStyle

You can specify whether to print the content of specific Layers with indivual PrintStyles. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the PrintStyle of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear with the assigned PrintStyle except those to which you assign a PrintStyle directly.

To set Layer PrintStyles:

  PrintStyles are only valid if the drawing uses named PrintStyles (.stb files), not color-dependent PrintStyles (.ctb files). You can set named PrintStyles in Tools > Options > System Options > Printing > Default settings > Default type.

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the PrintStyle cell you want to change.
  2. Select a PrintStyle or select Other to load a new PrintStyle in the Print Styles dialog box.
Description

Optionally you can add a description for each Layer.

To add Layer descriptions:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, double-click the Description cell you want to add.
  2. Type a description, then pressEnter.

Controlling the Column Display within the Layer Properties Table

You can specify which columns to display in the Layer properties table, change the column order, and the column size.

Right-clicking the header line of the Layer properties table displays a context menu with the following options:

Option Description
Customize Displays the Customize Layer Columns dialog box. You can do the following:
  • Specify the columns to display or hide
  • Change the column order
Maximize all columns Changes the width of all columns to fit the column header and the cell content
Maximize column Changes the width of the specified column to fit the column header and the cell content
Optimize all columns Changes the width of all columns to fit the cell content
Optimize column Changes the width of the specified column to fit the cell content
Reset Displays all columns with their default size

 

To show or hide columns:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, right-click the properties table header and specify Customize.
  2. In the Layer Columns Customization dialog box, enable the columns to display.

    Note: Click Clear All to cancel the selections or Select All to select all columns.

  3. Click OK.

To change the order of the columns:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, right-click the properties table header and specify Customize.
  2. In the Layer Columns Customization dialog box, set the column order using the following buttons:
    • Move Up. Moves the selected column higher in the column list.
    • Move Down. Moves the selected column lower in the column list.

Controlling Layer Behavior

You can show and hide, freeze and thaw, lock and unlock Layers. You can determine whether Layers are printed or plotted.

And you can predefine whether Layers are frozen or thawed in new Viewports on layout Sheets.

Showing and hiding Layers

When a Layer is shown, the entities on it are visible. Entities on hidden Layers are invisible.

To show or hide Layers:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the icon in the Show cell you want to change.

    A green dot  means show. A gray dot  means hide.

Freezing and thawing Layers

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.

  You cannot freeze the active Layer.

To freeze or thaw Layers:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the icon in the Frozen cell you want to change.

    A snow symbol means frozen. A water symbol  means thawed.

Locking and unlocking Layers

When a Layer is locked, you cannot edit the entities on that Layer. You can edit entities on unlocked Layers.

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

To lock or unlock Layers:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the icon in the Lock cell you want to change.

    A closed lock  means locked. An open lock  means unlocked.

Printing Layers

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 the Print setting.

To specify whether a Layer is printed:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the icon in the Print cell you want to change.

    The printer icon  means print. A stroked out printer icon  means do not print.

Freezing Layers in new Viewports on layout Sheets

You can predefine whether Layers are frozen or thawed in new Viewports on layout Sheets.

Freezing specific Layers in all new Viewports restricts the display of the entities on those Layers in any newly created Viewports on layout Sheets but does not affect the Layer behavior and properties in existing Viewports. If you later create a Viewport that requires to display of the Layer, you can change the current setting for the Viewport.

To specify whether Layers are frozen in new Viewports:

  • On the Layers Manager palette, click the icon in the New Viewport cell you want to change.

    The symbol means frozen. The symbol  means thawed.

Specifying Layer Property Overrides for Viewport on Layout Sheets

In Viewports on layout Sheets, you can additionally use certain Layer settings.

These settings can also be specified for the layout Sheet itself. The Sheet itself is also considered as a Viewport in layout mode.

The changes in a specific Viewport override the settings for Layers in the Model.

On a layout Sheet, the following extra columns appear in the Layers Manager for the active Viewport:

  • Active Viewport: Freezes selected Layers only in the active layout Viewport. The symbol means frozen. The symbol  means thawed.
  • VP Color: In the active Viewport, the specified LineColor is used for the entities on the selected Layers.
  • VP LineStyle: In the active Viewport, the specified LineStyle is used for the entities on the selected Layers.
  • VP LineWeight: In the active Viewport, the specified LineWeight is used for the entities on the selected Layers.
  • VP Transparency: In the active Viewport, the specified level of Transparency is used for the entities on the selected Layers.
  • VP PrintStyle: In the active Viewport, the specified PrintStyle is used for the entities on the selected Layers.

Note: If settings in a Viewport differ from the default setting for a Layer in the Model, the corresponding cells are highlighted in the Layers list.

Applying Group and Property Filters

You can create filters that contain Layers you specify. Grouping Layers this way establishes group filters.

The following Layer group filters are predefined:

  • All. Groups all the Layers in the current drawing.
  • All Non-Reference Layers . Groups all Layers that are not referenced from an external reference drawing.
  • All Used Layers . Groups all the Layers on which the current drawing entities are drawn.
  • Reference . Groups all the Layers being referenced from other drawings. The Reference filter is automatically created when attaching external references to the drawing.

    You can can restore a single override property or all property overrides on all layers for a reference drawing. A context menu provides all necessary options.

  • Viewport Overrides . Groups all the Layers containing property overrides in the current layout viewport.
  • Reference Overrides . Groups all the Layer being referenced from another drawings containing layer property overrides.

For new Layer groups, drag Layers from the Layer list to the group name to add them.

You can also create property filters which reduce the Layers list to Layers with specified properties and settings. For example, you can limit the Layers list to Layers which are frozen or locked.

To create Layer group filters and assign Layers to them:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, expand the Layer Filters panel.
  2. In the tree view of the Edit Layer Filters section, click the node in which you want to create a new filter.
  3. Right-click New Group Filter.

    A new filter is added to the tree view. The filter is a level below the item selected in the tree view so you can create a hierarchical Layer filter structure.

  4. Double-click the new filter and type a name for it.
  5. Select one or more Layers from the Layer list and drag them into the filter tree view onto the filter name you created.

To create Layer property filters and assign Layers to them:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, expand the Layer Filters panel.
  2. In the tree view of the Edit Layer Filters section, click the node in which you want to create a new filter.
  3. Right-click New Properties Filter.

    A new filter is added to the tree view. The filter is a level below the item selected in the tree view so you can create a hierarchical Layer filter structure.

  4. Click the new filter name, which opens the Layer Properties Filter dialog box.
  5. In the Properties area of the dialog box, set the properties which define the filter.
  6. Optionally, click Add row to add another row with different set of properties.

    Click Delete row to delete a row of property criterias.

  7. Select one or more Layers from the Layer list and drag them into the filter tree view onto the filter name you created.

To delete filters:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, click Edit Filters.
  2. Select the filter to delete and click Delete.
  3. Click Close.

To display the Layers matching the criteria of a filter:

  • In the filter tree view, select a Layer filter name.

    The Layers list of the Layers Manager is reduced to the Layers which meet the criteria of the selected filter.

To reset Reference Layer properties:

  1. On the Layers Manager palette, expand the Layer Filters panel.
  2. In the tree view of the Edit Layer Filters section, expand Reference.
  3. Right-click the reference drawing node for which you want to reset properties and click Reset Reference Layer Properties.

    A menu displays all properties for which you can restore the value.

  4. Select the Reset All option.

    – or –

    Select the property for which you want to reset the value.

Filters Context Menu

Right-clicking a node in the Filters tree view displays a context menu with commands that can be applied to the selected filter, including the All and All Used Layers filters.

Visibility

Controls the visibility state of the Layers in the selected filters.

Lock

Controls lock state of the Layers in the selected filters.

Reset Reference Layer Properties

Restores the properties of the Layers from the specified reference drawing. You can restore all properties or only a single property. Right-clicking a reference drawing name in the Reference Layer group filter displays a menu with all Layer properties, such as Show, Fozen, Lock, etc.

New Properties Filter

Displays the Layer Filter Properties dialog box. You can create a new Layer property filter by specifying a set of Layer properties, such as LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight and PrintStyle.

New Group Filter

Creates a new Layer group filter with a specified name. To add Layers into the group, drag Layers from the Layer list to the new Layer group.

Note: Selecting a Layer filter in the tree view displays the list of Layers.

Convert to Group Filter

Creates a Layer group filter based on the selected Layer property filter.

Delete Filter

Deletes the selected Layer property filter. You cannot delete predefined filters.

Rename Filter

Renames the selected Layer property filter.

Properties

Displays the Layer Properties Filter dialog box. You can modify the settings of the specified Layer Properties Filter.

Specify Layers

For a specified group filter you can add or replace Layers.

  • Add. Adds Layers to the specified group filter from the entities selected in the graphics area.
  • Replace. Replaces the layers of the selected layer group filter with the layers of the objects that are selected in the drawing.

Setting Display Options

You can set additional display options:

  • Reverse Filter: Displays all Layers that match the inverted criteria of the selected filter name.
  • Display “in use” status: Marks all unused Layers in the Status list with a white Layer icon. The icon changes from to . In large drawings with many Layers, clear this option to improve performance in the Layers Manager.
  • Apply current filter to Layers toolbar: Reflects the active filter of the Layers Manager in the Layers list of the Layers toolbar.

Access

Command: Layer

Menu: Format > Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > Layers Manager

Layer Tools

The following tools are available when working with Layers:

Saving and Restoring Layer States

Use the LayerState command to save, restore, and manage configurations of layer properties and states. Layer states are snapshots of current Layer settings.

You can also edit the Layer properties within Layer states.

Layer states are saved with the drawing.

You can export Layer states to files of type *.las. You can import Layer states from *.las files and from drawing files.

To save Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. In the dialog box, click Add.

    A new table item is created in the list of Layer states with a preset Name and the Space information indicating whether the Layer state was created in the Model or on a Sheet.

  3. Optionally, edit the Layer state Name.
  4. Optionally, type a Description.
  5. Under Layer properties to restore, select or clear the Layer 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. The Visibility in active Viewport is available only if you save the Layer state in a Sheet Viewport, not in the Model.
  6. Under Options, set:
    • Hide layers not assigned to layer state: Hides any Layers that you added since the Layer state was last saved when you restore the Layer state.
    • Set properties as viewport overrides (available only when you define a Layer state when a Viewport on a Sheets is active): Specifies whether Layer property overrides apply to the current Viewport.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Click Close.

To restore Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. In the dialog box, select a Layer state.
  3. Click Activate.
  4. Click Close.

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

To edit Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. In the dialog box, select a Layer state.
  3. Click Edit.

    The Edit Layer States dialog box appears.

  4. To add Layers that you added since the Layer state was last saved:
    1. Click Show deleted layers  to show the list of Layers that are not part of the Layer state.
    2. Select Layers.
    3. Click Add.
  5. To delete Layers from the Layer state:
    1. Select Layer entries in the Layers table.
    2. Click Delete.
  6. To make a different Layer the active one in the Layer state:
    1. Select Layer entries in the Layers table.
    2. Click Activate.
  7. To change properties of Layers in the Layer state:
    • Select properties in the Layers table and modify them (the same way as in the Layers Manager).
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click Close.

  Note: Changes in the Edit Layer States dialog box do not affect Layer settings until you restore the modified Layer state.

To delete Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. In the dialog box, select a Layer state.
  3. Click Delete.
  4. Click Close.

  Note: Layers remain in the drawing when you delete Layer states.

To import Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. Click Import.
  3. In the dialog box, select a file name from which you want to import a Layer State.

    You can import Layer states from:

    • Drawing files (*.dwg), drawing template files (*.dwt), and drawing standards files (*.dws)
    • Layer state files (*.las)
  4. In the Import Layer States dialog box, select the Layer states to import.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Close.

To export Layer states:

  1. Click Format > Layer States (or type LayerState).
  2. In the dialog box, select a Layer state.
  3. Click Export.
  4. In the dialog box, specify the folder and name of the Layer states file (*.las) to write.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Close.

Access

Command: LayerState

Menu: Format > Layer States

Ribbon: Home > Layers > Layer States Manager

Hiding Layers

Entities on hidden Layers are invisible. You cannot select entities on hidden Layers.

To hide Layers:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Hide Layer (or type HideLayer).
  2. In the graphics area, select an entity that is on the Layer you want to hide.

      If you try to hide the active Layer you must confirm the selection.

    – or –

    Specify the Settings option to:

    • Determine the Block selection nesting level:
      • Block level nesting: Hides the Layer of the entity you select in a nested Block.
      • Entity: Hides the Layer of the entity you select in a Block.
      • No nesting: Hides the Layer on which the Block resides.
    • Determine the behavior in Viewports on Sheets:
      • Off: Turns off specified Layers in the active Viewport.
      • Vpfrozen: Freezes specified Layers in the active Viewport.

    – or –

    Specify the Undo option to remove the previously specified Layer from the set of Layers to hide.

  You can also hide a Layer in the Layers Manager dialog box.

Access

Command: HideLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Hide Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Hide Layer

Showing All Layers

If you show all Layers, all Layers in the drawing are visible except those that are frozen.

To show all Layers:

  • Click Format > Layer Tools > Show All Layers (or type ShowLayers).

Access

Command: ShowLayers

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Show All Layers

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Show All Layers

Freezing Layers

When a Layer is frozen, it is protected and invisible.

To unfreeze a Layer, use the ThawLayers command.

To freeze a Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Freeze Layer (or type FreezeLayer).
  2. Select a drawing entity on the Layer you want to freeze or specify an option:
    • Settings: Specify what to use in Sheet viewports:
      • Vtfrozen: Freezes the specified Layer in the current viewport only.
      • Frozen: Freezes the specified Layer in all viewports.
    • Undo: Cancels the previous FreezeLayer command.

    The Layer you specify becomes protected with all entities invisible.

  3. Press Enter.

  You cannot freeze the active Layer.

Access

Command: FreezeLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Freeze Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Freeze Layer

Thawing All Layers

You can thaw all currently frozen Layers, making them visible and editable again.

To thaw all Layers:

  • Click Format > Layer Tools > Thaw All Layers (or type ThawLayers).

Access

Command: ThawLayers

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Thaw All Layers

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Thaw All Layers

Locking Layers

When you lock a Layer, you cannot modify entities on that Layer. When selecting entities on locked Layers, grips do not display.

Use the LockLayer command to lock one or several Layers by selecting entities. Alternatively, you can lock Layers using the Layers Manager.

To lock a Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Lock Layer (or type LockLayer).
  2. In the graphics area, select an entity on the Layer you want to lock.

    – or –

    Specify the Multiple option, then specify the entities on the Layers you want to lock, and press Enter to complete the command.

Access

Command: LockLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Lock Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Lock Layer

Unlocking Layers

When you unlock a Layer, you can edit entities on the Layer.

Use the UnlockLayer command to unlock one or several Layers by selecting entities. Alternatively, you can unlock Layers using the Layers Manager.

To unlock a Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Unlock Layer (or type UnlockLayer).
  2. In the graphics area, select an entity on the Layer you want to unlock.

    – or –

    Specify the Multiple option, then specify the entities on the Layers you want to unlock, and press Enter to complete the command.

Access

Command: UnlockLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Unlock Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Unlock Layer

Isolating Layers

Use the IsolateLayer command to isolate Layers. Layer isolation means that you either hide or lock and fade all Layers except those you specify in the graphics area.

Isolating layers impacts visibility in the Model and all Viewports on Sheets.

You can also isolate Layers in a single Viewport, which freezes all Layers except the isolated ones in the active Viewport.

To reverse the Layer isolation, use the UnisolateLayer command.

To isolate Layers by hiding all others:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Isolate Layer (or type IsolateLayer).
  2. Specify the Settings option.
  3. Specify the Off option.

    This lets you decide whether to hide all Layers except the specified ones in all Viewports or to freeze all Layers except the specified ones with the next option.

  4. Specify the Off option.

    This option hides all but the specified Layers in the Model and in all Viewports.

  5. In the graphics area, specify entities to isolate and press Enter.

    Only those Layers matching the selected entities remain visible in the Model and in all Viewports on all Sheets.

To isolate Layers by locking and fading all others:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Isolate Layer (or type IsolateLayer).
  2. Specify the Settings option.
  3. Specify the Lock and fade option.
  4. Specify a fade value between 0 and 90% where 0% means no fading. Default: 50%.
  5. In the graphics area, select the entities to isolate and press Enter.

    All Layers are locked and faded in the Model and on all Viewports on Sheets except the Layers matching the selected entities.

To isolate Layers in a single Viewport on a Sheet:

  1. Select a Sheet tab.
  2. Type ModelMode to switch to Model workspace.
  3. Select a Viewport.
  4. Click Format > Layer Tools > Isolate Layer (or type IsolateLayer).
  5. Specify the Settings option.
  6. Specify the Off option.

    This lets you decide whether to hide all Layers except the specified ones in all Viewports or to freeze all Layers except the specified ones with the next option.

  7. Specify the VPFreeze option.
  8. In the graphics area, select the entities you want to isolate and press Enter.

    All Layers are frozen in the active Viewport except the Layers matching the selected entities. Layer visibility is unaffected in other Viewports.

Note: Your settings persist until you change them with the Settings option.

Access

Command: IsolateLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Isolate Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Isolate Layer

Restoring Layers After Isolating

Use the UnisolateLayer command to show or unlock Layers that were hidden or locked with the IsolateLayer command.

Changes you made to Layer settings after you used the IsolateLayer command are preserved.

To restore Layers after isolation:

  • Click Format > Layer Tools > Unisolate Layer (or type UnisolateLayer).

Access

Command: UnisolateLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Unisolate Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Unisolate Layer

Activating a Layer

You can activate a Layer by specifying an entity on that Layer.

To activate a Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Activate Layer (or type ActivateLayer).
  2. In the graphics area, select an entity on the Layer you want to activate.

Access

Command: ActivateLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Activate Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Activate Layer

Changing Entities to the Active Layer

Use the ToActiveLayer command to change the Layer of selected entities to the active Layer.

Alternatively, use the Layer property on the entity’s Properties palette to specify a new destination Layer.

To change entities to the active Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Entity to Active Layer (or type ToActiveLayer).
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On the menu, click Format > Layer Tools > Entity to Active Layer.
    • Type ToActiveLayer.
  3. In the graphics area, select entities you want to change to the active Layer and press Enter.

Access

Command: ToActiveLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Entity to Active Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Entity to Active Layer

Matching Layers

You can change entities to match a destination Layer.

To match the Layer of entities to a destination Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Change Entity’s Layer (or type MatchLayer).
  2. In the graphics area select:
    1. Entities whose Layer you want to change and press Enter.
    2. An entity on the destination Layer or specify the Layer Name option and select a Layer in the Choose New Layer dialog box.

Access

Command: MatchLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Change Entity’s Layer

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Change Entity’s Layer

Merging Layers

Use the MergeLayer command to merge Layers to a destination Layer.

You can specify the source Layers and the destination Layer by names in a dialog box or by specifying them in the graphics area.

You can also merge Layers using the Layers Manager.

To merge Layers:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click Format > Layer Tools > Merge Layers on the menu.
    • Click Home > Layers > Merge Layers on the ribbon.
    • Type MergeLayer.
  2. In the dialog box, select one or more Layer names on the Layers to merge list.

    The selected Layers are highlighted.

    Optionally, you can:

    • In Filter Expression, type substrings and use wildcards to reduce the number of displayed Layer names.
    • Select Delete merged layers to remove the redundant merged Layers from the drawing.
    • Activate Show only selected layers to display in the graphics area only the Layers you selected to merge.
    • Click Specify in graphics area to specify entities whose Layer you want to merge.

    Note: You cannot merge Layer 0, the active Layer, locked Layers, and Layers of referenced drawings.

  3. From the Destination Layer list, select the Layer to merge the source Layers with.

    Optionally, you can:

    • In Filter Expression, type substrings and use wildcards to reduce the number of displayed Layer names.
    • In New Layer specify the name of a Layer name to create.
    • Click Specify in graphics area to specify an entity on the destination Layer.

    Note: You cannot merge with Layers of referenced drawings, but you can merge with hidden or frozen Layers.

  4. Click OK.

To merge Layers using the Layers Manager dialog box:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click Format > Layer on the menu.
    • Click Home > Layers > Layers Manager on the ribbon.
    • Type LayerDialog at the command prompt.
  2. In the Layers list of the Layers Manager dialog box, select one or more Layers to merge.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • On the toolbar, click Merge.
    • Right-click in the Layers list and select the Merge Layers option from the shortcut menu.
  4. In the dialog box, specify the destination Layer.

    Optionally, you can:

    • In Filter Expression, type substrings and use wildcards to reduce the number of displayed Layer names.
    • In New Layer specify the name of a Layer to create.
    • Click Specify in graphics area to specify an entity on the destination Layer.
    • Select Delete merged layers to remove the redundant merged Layers from the drawing.

To merge Layers using the Layers Manager palette:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click Format > Layer on the menu.
    • Click Home > Layers > Layers Manager on the ribbon.
    • Type Layer at the command prompt.
  2. In the Layers list of the Layers Manager palette, select one or more Layers to merge.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • On the toolbar, click Merge.
    • Right-click in the Layers list and select the Merge Layers option from the shortcut menu.
  4. In the dialog box, specify the destination Layer.

Access

Command: MergeLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Merge Layers

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Merge Layer

Deleting Layers

Deletes all entities on a specified Layer and removes the Layer from the drawing.

  You cannot delete the active layer.

To delete a Layer:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Delete (or type DeleteLayer).
  2. In the graphics area, select an entity on the Layer to delete or specify an option:
    • Name: Type the name of the Layer to delete (use ? to get a list of the Layer names defined in the drawing).
    • Undo: Cancels one or more previous Layer deletions.
  3. Specify the Yes option to confirm the deletion.

    The selected Layer, and all entities on the Layer are deleted.

Access

Command: DeleteLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Delete

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Layer Delete

Restoring Previous Layer Settings

You can undo previous changes made to Layer settings.

To restore previous Layer settings:

  • Click Format > Layer Tools > Restore Layer’s State (or type UndoLayer).

Access

Command: UndoLayer

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Restore Layer’s State

Ribbon: Home > Layers > (Flyout) Restore Layer’s State

Previewing Layers

Use the LayerPreview command to quickly preview the content of layers one by one or by a set of specified layers. The command lets you examine which entities are on which layers.

To preview Layers:

  1. Click Format > Layer Tools > Layer Preview (or type LayerPreview).
  2. In the Layers Preview dialog box, a list of all layers displays. All Layers are selected except those that are frozen in the drawing.
  3. You can:
    • Click a layer name to view the content of a single layer.
    • Press Ctrl and click layer names to view the content of the specified layers.
    • Click a layer name, press Shift, and click other layer names to view a set of contiguous layers.
    • Press Ctrl + A to select all layer names, then press Shift, and click other layer names to clear layers.
    • Type a wildcard in Filter expression to restrict the layer names list, for example to layers that start with the same shortcut or acronym.
    • Activate or deactivate Restore Layers state when exit to restore the layers to the state when you started the command or to maintain the state that results from the preview settings.
    • Activate or deactivate Restore view when exit to restore the view that existed when you started the command or to maintain the view that exists after zooming and panning when inspecting layers with the preview command.
    • Click Delete to remove the specified layers from the drawing (you can delete unused layers only).
    • Click Preview to temporarily close the dialog box to view the layer preview without the dialog box on top. You can zoom, pan and use other transparent commands to inspect the specified layers. Press Enter to redisplay the dialog box.
  4. Click Close.

Access

Command: LayerPreview

Menu: Format > Layer Tools > Layer Preview

Ribbon: Home > Layers > Layer Preview

Setting LineColors

You can assign colors to drawing entities directly or through Layers.

The LineColor command lets you determine the color of new entities.

To assign the color for new drawing entities:

  1. Click Format > Line Color (or type LineColor).
  2. In the dialog box, select a color from a tab:
    • Standard Colors: Contains 255 common colors. You can also specify:
      • Match to Layer: New entities use the color assigned to the Layer on which you create them.
      • Match to Block: New entities appear in black or white (depending on the screen background color). When included in a Block definition, such entities use the Block color.
    • Custom Color: Contains a greater variety of colors where you can specify RGB or HSL values.
  3. Click OK.

  It is recommended to set color properties to Match to Layer (ByLayer).

To change the color of existing drawing entities:

  • Do one of the following:
    • Change the color property in the Properties Palette.
    • In the graphics area, select drawing entities. On the Properties toolbar, in LineColor Control, select a color.
    • Use the ModifyProperties command.

Access

Command: LineColor

Menu: Format > Line Color

Ribbon: Home > Properties > Color

Loading and Setting LineStyles

Use the LineStyle command to load and set LineStyles. Choose a LineStyle to display on the currently active segment of the drawing.

To set the LineStyles pattern definition and LineStyles definition file syntax, refer to Customizing LineStyles.

To load LineStyles:

  1. Click Format > Line Style (or type LineStyle).
  2. In the dialog box, click Load.

    The Load LineStyles dialog box displays the LineStyles contained in the .lin file.

  3. Click Browse to select a LineStyle file, and click Open.
  4. Select one or more LineStyles in the list.

    To select more than one LineStyle, press Ctrl and select multiple LineStyles.

  5. Click OK.

    The selected LineStyles appear in the Line Style dialog box. However, a selected LineStyle does not become the active LineStyle automatically. It is only added to the list of LineStyles that are available. You have to set the active LineStyle explicitly.

  6. Click OK.

To set the active LineStyle:

  1. Click Format > Line Style (or type LineStyle).
  2. In Show, select the LineStyles you want to appear in the dialog box:
    • All LineStyles
    • LineStyles in Use
    • Referenced LineStyles
  3. Click Reverse Filter to invert the option you selected.
  4. For example, reversing LineStyles in Use shows all unused LineStyles.
  5. The LineStyle list shows the dash-dot patterns for the LineStyles. These LineStyles can be loaded from LineStyle definition files or inherited from drawings.
  6. Every drawing has three LineStyle definitions:
    • Continuous. Solid line without a pattern.
    • ByBlock. Entities are drawn as continuous lines until they are grouped into a Block. The entities then inherit the LineStyle setting when you insert the Block into the drawing.
    • ByLayer. New entities adopt the LineStyle of the Layer on which they are placed.
  7. Select the LineStyle you want to activate.
  8. Click Activate.

    The LineStyle is used when you draw a new entity. The LineStyle of the active Layer does not change.

To delete a LineStyle:

  1. Click Format > Line Style (or type LineStyle).
  2. Select one or more LineStyles in the list.
  3. Click Delete.

  You can only delete LineStyles that are currently not in use.

To edit a LineStyle:

  1. Click Format > Line Style (or type LineStyle).
  2. Select a LineStyle in the list.
  3. Click Show Parameters, and under Parameters, edit the options:
    • Name. Specifies the name of the LineStyle definition to store in the drawing.
    • Description. Specifies a Note or symbolic representation for the LineStyle to display in the Line Style dialog box.
    • Global scale. Scales the LineStyles so they fit to the units of measurement.
    • Entities scale. Sets a LineStyle scale factor for new entities relative to the general LineStyle scale factor.
    • Scale based on sheet’s units. Forces LineStyles to be drawn at the same scale as the Viewport scale. Clear the option to scale LineStyles equally in the model and Sheet.

To modify the LineStyle of existing drawing entities:

Do one:

  • Change the LineStyle property in the Properties palette.
  • Select one or more entities in the drawing and select a different LineStyle in the Properties toolbar.
  • Use the ModifyProperties command. You must use the exact name of the loaded LineStyle you want to apply.

Access

Command: LineStyle

Menu: Format > Line Style

Ribbon: Home > Properties > LineStyle

Setting the LineStyle Scale Factor

Use the LineScale command to set a global scale factor for LineStyles. It affects all drawing entities to which you assigned a LineStyle pattern.

The dash lengths specified in the LineStyle definition files (in drawing units) are multiplied by the factor specified with the LineScale command.

  You can determine individual LineStyle scale factors by entity in the Properties Palette.

Access

Command: LineScale

Setting the Active LineWeight

Use the LineWeight command to set the LineWeight for new entities. LineWeight defines how thick or thin entities appear.

The LineWeight of entities does not change when you zoom in or out. LineWeights are not meant to represent real world units. Use PolyLines to draw wide 2D entities that reflect real world units.

Note: You cannot assign LineWeights to Point entities, Text with TrueType font, Solid entities (2D solid fills), or raster image references.

To set the LineWeight:

  1. Click Format > Line Weight (or type LineWeight).
  2. In the Options dialog box, the Drafting Styles page opens and Line Weight expands.
  3. In Line weight, select a numeric value or select:
    • ByBlock: Sets the LineWeight for new entities to the default LineWeight until you include them in a Block.
    • ByLayer: Sets the LineWeight based on the LineWeight of the active layer. ByLayer lets you set different LineWeights for different layers.
    • Default: Sets the LineWeight to the Default weight. Entities created using the default LineWeight are adjusted if you change the Default weight (see below).
  4. In Default weight, select a default LineWeight for layers.
  5. Select Display weight in graphics area to view LineWeights.
  6. Set Scale to adjust the scale of the LineWeight.
  7. Select Inches or Millimeters as the units for the LineWeight.

Access

Command: LineWeight

Menu: Format > Line Weight

Ribbon: Home > Properties > LineWeight

Changing Entity Properties to ‘ByLayer’

Use the SetByLayer command to change property overrides of specified entities to ByLayer.

It is good drawing practice to set entity properties such as LineColor, LineStyle, and LineWeight to ByLayer. For example, if you set the LineColor property of entities to ByLayer, the entities adopt the color assigned to the Layer on which you create them.

Note: You cannot change entity properties on locked Layers.

To set entity properties to ByLayer:

  1. Type SetByLayer at the command prompt.
  2. (Optional) Specify Settings. Then, in the dialog box, select the properties to change to ByLayer in subsequent command executions:
    • LineColor
    • LineStyle
    • LineWeight
    • PrintStyle (only in drawings which use named PrintStyles)
    • Transparency
  3. In the graphics area, specify entities to change properties to ByLayer.
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Specify whether to change ByBlock properties to ByLayer.
  6. Specify whether to apply the changes to Block entities.

Access

Command: SetByLayer

Setting Z-Plane and Thickness

Use the ZPlane command to set the elevation plane and thickness for new drawing entities:

  • ZPlane: Specifies the Z-coordinate for new entities in the current coordinate system when you enter XY-values for points. Usually, nonzero elevations act as temporary construction planes.
  • Thickness: Gives drawing entities height which makes them appear as 3D surfaces. Thickness is the distance the entity extrudes above or below its base elevation. A positive value extrudes upward. A negative value extrudes downward. A value of 0 applies no thickness.

You can apply thickness to these drawing entities:

  • Lines
  • Arcs
  • Circles
  • PolyLines
  • 2D Solids
  • Traces
  • Text

You cannot apply thickness to these entities:

  • Hatches
  • Dimensions
  • Ellipses
  • Splines
  • Regions

To define the Z-plane and thickness for new drawing entities:

  1. Type ZPlane at the command prompt.
  2. Specify an elevation for all new drawing entities.
  3. Specify a thickness for new drawing entities.

    The setting applies only to drawing entities that can have thickness.

To modify the thickness of drawing entities:

Access

Command: ZPlane

Specifying Units and Precision

The UnitSystem command lets you set:

  • Formats for linear and angular units
  • Accuracy levels by specifying the number of decimal places
  • The reference unit of measurement for Blocks and drawings in the drawing

You can set the linear and angular unit formats and precision independently.

The unit settings are saved with each drawing, and so they can be different for each drawing.

To specify units and precision:

  1. Click Format > Unit System (or type UnitSystem).

    In the Options dialog box, the Drawing Settings page opens and Unit System expands.

  2. Under Base angle:
    • Set the base angle that specifies a direction for 0°. For example, surveyors normally set 0° as “up” on the page. This setting ensures the correct display of angle and distance for drawing lines; the display on the status bar updates according to the angle zero direction and the orientation.
    • Select Clockwise to increase angles in a clockwise direction.
    • Set the rotation angle, or click Select in graphics area  to set the rotation angle and second point in the graphics area.
  3. Under Length, set the:
    • Type of linear units.
    • Precision from 0 to 8 decimal places.

    The selected units are displayed in the Preview area.

    Examples of linear units:

    Unit Type Example 1 Example 2
    Architectural (Feet and Inches) 0′-1 1/2″ 125′-0″
    Decimal 1.5000 1500.0000
    Engineering (Feet and Inches) 0′-1.5000″ 125′-0.0000″
    Fractional 1 1/2 1500
    Scientific (Scientific exponential notation) 1.5000E+00 1.5000E+03
  4. Under Angle, set the:
    • Type of angular units.
    • Precision from 0 to 8 decimal places.

    The selected units are displayed in the Preview area.

    Examples of angular units:

    Unit Type Example 1 Example 2
    Decimal Degrees (Metric Units) 12.500 180
    Degrees / Minutes / Seconds 12d30’0″ 180d0’0″
    Grads (400 grads equal to 360°) 13.889g 200.000g
    Radians (2 pi radians equal to 360°) 0.218r 3.142r
    Surveyor’s Unit System (Compass bearings; N,S,E,W with deflection from North and South) N 77d30’0″ E W
  5. Under Units scale, in Block units format, select the reference unit of measurement for Blocks and drawings in the drawing. Select Unitless to prevent scaling of entities. If the units of a Block (or drawing) to be inserted differ from the units in Block units format, the Block is scaled. This insertion scale determines the ratio between the units in the source and the units in the target drawing.
  6. Click OK.

Access

Command: UnitSystem

Menu: Format > Unit System

Ribbon: Manage > Drawing > Units

Setting Drawing Boundaries

Use the DrawingBounds command to define the extent of the grid display and restrict the graphics area. Drawing bounds can be helpful for printing and plotting. If you set your graphics area so that it scales directly to the standard drawing Sheet, you need only specify printing by drawing boundaries to produce a plot of your full drawing, regardless of the current display in the drawing window.

To set drawing boundaries:

  1. Click Format > Drawing Boundary (or type DrawingBounds).
  2. Specify a point representing the lower left corner of the graphics area.
  3. Specify a point representing the upper right corner of the graphics area.

To turn on boundary checking:

  1. Click Format > Drawing Boundary (or type DrawingBounds).
  2. Specify the On option to enforce boundary checking by preventing points outside of the drawing boundary.

To turn off boundary checking:

  1. Click Format > Drawing Boundary (or type DrawingBounds).
  2. Specify the Off option.

Access

Command: DrawingBounds

Menu: Format > Drawing Boundary

Renaming Styles and Drawing Elements

Use the Rename command to change the names associated with Blocks, Layers, LineStyles, RichLineStyles, TextStyles, TableStyles, DimensionStyles, Custom Coordinate Systems, and views.

For certain drawing entities, standard items cannot be renamed or deleted because the drawing for these types must contain at least one basic item, including the:

  • Layer 0
  • LineStyles ByBlock, ByLayer, or Continuous
  • RichLineStyle Standard
  • TextStyle Standard
  • TableStyle Standard
  • PrintStyle Normal

To rename styles and drawing elements:

  1. Click Format > Rename (or type Rename).
  2. In the dialog box, navigate to the item to rename and select it.

    You can specify the item to rename directly, by matching name. With the category selected in the list, type or paste the name of the item to rename in the Old name field. The specified item is highlighted in the list.

  3. In the empty field, type the new name.
  4. Click Rename To.
  5. Click Close.

Access

Command: Rename

Menu: Format > Rename

Ribbon: Manage > Drawing > (Flyout) Rename

Updated on February 15, 2024
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