Constant "Unable to write data to locked layer" messages

[sinc]

I've just upgraded to 2006 and have been mostly pleased with the new features. There have been a few things that have been causing a lot of trouble, though.

One of them is caused by the whole highlighting feature - where objects highlight as the mouse scrolls over them. When large blocks or XREFs are in a project, this causes trouble, as the entire block or XREF attempts to highlight.

I've discovered that locking layers, such as my XREF layer, prevent this problem. Autocad will not attempt to highlight objects on locked layers, since they can't be selected. But this has created yet another problem.

It seems like basically every point or surface command I try to run causes a modal dialog box to pop up complaining "Unable to write data to locked layer: XREF". After I hit "OK", the command then runs with no noticeable quirks or problems. Any idea what is causing this, and if there's any way to stop it, short of unlocking my "XREF" layer?

[sinc]

I think I figured it out.

I believe it is related to that stupid ACADD_ZZ block. It must be on a layer that doesn't get locked. Deleting it (it's a hidden block on the first page of paperspace) will cause Autocad to recreate it on the current layer. Mine was on my XREF layer.

This ACADD_ZZ block has been a huge pain for some time. I guess I found an item for the wishlist - EITHER GET RID OF IT COMPLETELY, OR ALWAYS PUT IT ON LAYER DEFPOINTS. Defpoints should basically be reserved for the system, anyway, so it would undoubtedly be a much safer place for that PITA.

[Opie]

You can disable the highlighting while not in a command. Look at the Selection tab in the Autocad Options dialog box. Look at Visual Effect Settings... I know that doesn't answer the question.

[jpaulsen]

You can also disable the highlighting of xrefs. I just wish you could also disable blocks.