Defpoints and Layer 0

[Tom Beauford]

Wow... ask a simple question about why two layers are inexplicitly linked together, and I get a response of "You're doing it wrong!!"

Thanks.

Sorry, wasn't trying to insult. Hopefully the links provided explain what those two special layers are for and how they're intended to be used. That last link explains good practice using layers very well, but you may need to set up a free account to view it.

[cdatechguy]

Wow... ask a simple question about why two layers are inexplicitly linked together, and I get a response of "You're doing it wrong!!"

Thanks.

If you really want to know....go ask the programmers at Autodesk... As Users, many of us have been using Autocad for many years and know not to use certain layers, such as the default layers, for anything. So the "Why" is really something we just take as "Deal with it"... I've been using Autocad since v.9 (not 2009, 9) and its been that way since then.

[magnusonzach]

Sorry. I was being a little snarky, and it does not translate well. I also have been using Acad for a while (learned on R13), and I get frustrated when the "default" response is "You're doing it wrong". I know what to draw on what layers, but the technical side of things (the Why Does This... stuff) makes my head spin. I didn’t know what the reason for it was. Having learned on a platform where defpoints was the only non-plot layer, I use it when I need a temporary non-plot. I sincerely appreciate the responses from everyone as well as the suggestions.
Again, apologies.

This would probably be a bad time to mention that I also explode my text to lines...

[cdatechguy]

This would probably be a bad time to mention that I also explode my text to lines...

Ya know....we have fired people for exploding text and blocks...especially on the civil side... Hopefully you work for yourself.

[aellsworth]

I know that when Layer 0 is frozen or off, Defpoints becomes "unselectable". Is there a reason for this? Or is it a bug that has never been fixed?

I've been wondering this same thing for years (since R13 in 1996). I'll bet only the original programmer knows, and I'll bet he is long gone from AutoDesk. The only reason I've found is to annoy the users, so I think its a bug that has never been fixed.

[jaberwok]

I've been wondering this same thing for years (since R13 in 1996). I'll bet only the original programmer knows, and I'll bet he is long gone from AutoDesk. The only reason I've found is to annoy the users, so I think its a bug that has never been fixed.

It's not a bug, it's the way it was designed and experienced users know better that to misuse it because it has been known to cause problems.
This does not mean it WILL create problems, just that it MIGHT.

[vtmiii]

I have been using Auto cad since version 2.6 dos. I love layer defpoints. I use it for constructions lines, lining up details etc. what I hate is mtext

[jaberwok]

I have been using Auto cad since version 2.6 dos. I love layer defpoints. I use it for constructions lines, lining up details etc. what I hate is mtext

What might have been appropriate 30 years ago (not that it was actually appropriate then) isn't necessarily appropriate today.

[CAtDiva]

I have been using Auto cad since version 2.6 dos. I love layer defpoints. I use it for constructions lines, lining up details etc. what I hate is mtext

Promise me I'll never have to work in one of your files ... there are uses for single line text, but they're few and far between.

[Wanderer]

I have been using Auto cad since version 2.6 dos. I love layer defpoints. I use it for constructions lines, lining up details etc. what I hate is mtext

That right there.
Hating MTEXT was a hard habit to break.

Don't get me wrong, I use it all the time now... but, only due to a lot of peer pressure. I like it now, but, it was a real nightmare when I first started using AutoCAD.