What is the difference between turning a Layer ON/OFF vs FREEZE/THAW

[SteveChestnut]

Hello,

I am having trouble understanding what is the difference between turning a layer ON\OFF vs FREEZE\THAW. They look like the same thing to me with the same results. I must be missing something. What are the differences and where would you use one way vs. the other? Thanks, I need to pass this concept on to others.

Steve

[JASONM30395]

If a layer is turned off the objects on that layer can still be selected through the "all" option of most commands. If it is frozen this wont happen. AutoCAD basically "ignores" all objects on frozen layers.

[SteveChestnut]

I tried what you said. If I have layers off and use "Edit >> Select All" I still select elements on the off layers. But why would you want do this? If I select with a screen rectangle I don't select the elements on off layers. Is this a carryover from some old version or are there any practical uses for the way that the layer OFF setting works?

Just trying to get a grasp on the big picture here. Am I wrong in assuming that if you really want something turned off you FREEZE it and not turn it OFF. But I see where you can also have a layer both FROZEN and OFF at the same time. Why do both?
Looking for examples. Thanks, Steve

[GreyHippo]

When any objects that are on a layer that is turned OFF and that layer gets turned on acad does not need to regen to display those objects. Autocad will need to regen to display any objects that are on a frozen layer and then get thawed.

I will put things that I will usually NEVER need to see (ex. survey point descriptions) on a layer that is frozen, but things that I usually need to turn on and off FREQUENTLY, I will put them on a layer that I turn off and on.

Hope that helps.

Also objects on a layer that are off, autocad still regenerate those objects.

[minhtct]

Thaw a frozen layer causes regeneragtion, turn a layer on does not. Lot of times, I need to check what objects are on a certain layer, I use 'layer off' on the layer tool bar in express to turn layer off. Then undo to turn it right back on. It takes me several times like that before I am sure I don't need to show anything on that layer. Then I can turn it off permanently. When you thaw a layer, regen prevent you clearly seeing objects comming back.

That is my use of on/off

[Glenn Pope]

Is this a carryover from some old version or are there any practical uses for the way that the layer OFF setting works?Back in the day when computers were really slow (when a regen could take an hour or more), you would turn on/off layers so that the drawing wouldn't regen. Today, thats not much of a problem. Computers are fast enough that you might not see any difference.

I use on/off much like boesiii doses. This work great with the express tools isolate and layon commands.

[mjfarrell]

Let's just throw this one in somewhere,
Frozen in current view port, or Frozen in all New
work the same as Freeze/Thaw only it
is effective only in floating views on your layout tabs.

[SteveChestnut]

I think I'm beginning to see the light (someone must have thawed it). Things that you really don't need to see you FREEZE the layer. Things that you will be turning on and off as part of your work you use the layer ON & OFF. I had forgotten about regen. That's not that big an issue these days. The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is Mike's comments. I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're talking about. Could you explain with more detail. Thanks to all for your help. It helps me when I can see how others do things.
Steve

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Check out the following Technical Document on the Autodesk web site under the Knowledge Base section -

ID: TS76811 - Layer states explained for AutoCAD® based products (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=3067225&linkID=2475323)

Have a good one, Mike

[SteveChestnut]

Thanks Mike

[jason.wulff]

According to Mastering AutoCAD 2000

<snip>
...Freeze not only makes layers invisible, it also tells AutoCAD to ignore the contents of those layers when you use te All response to the Select objects: prompt. Freezing layers can save time when you issue a command that regenerates a complex drawing. This is because AutoCAD ignores objects on frozen layers during Regen......
<snip>