Purging Unused Layers?

[rsloyer]

I have a very simple .dwg file that someone sent me but there are dozens of layers. I am quite sure that most of these are going unused and I'd like to purge them as I need to import this file into another one. I'm an old R12 user struggling to get my footing in 2011 and am pretty sure I remember a tool for purging unused layers but can't seem to find it in 2011.

Appreciate any help.

[jaberwok]

type PURGE or PU.

[rsloyer]

Thanks. Looks like these layers DO have something on them (it doesn't purge them and won't let me delete them). Any easy way to empty the layer so that I can delete the layer?

[jaberwok]

For confirmation, in the Purge dialogue box, click the "view items you cannot purge" button.

The chances are that you have blocks that contain layers (with or without objects) so you will need to erase, explode or redefine them. There are tools to forcibly delete layers (LAYDEL in the Express Tools, for a start) and everything on them but be sure you really want to do that.

[rsloyer]

Thanks, I'll play with those commands. And I always save a copy before I start monkeying around!

[rsloyer]

guide me to the express tools? This is making me crazy. Maybe I'm going about this wrong. I have three layers on a list of several dozen that I need to keep and dump the rest. I do not care what is on the other layers, I just want them gone.

[rkmcswain]

For confirmation, in the Purge dialogue box, click the "view items you cannot purge" button.

Isn't that just the inverse of "View items you can purge"? IOW - all layers will show up there if none show up as purgeable..

There are tools to forcibly delete layers (LAYDEL in the Express Tools, for a start) and everything on them but be sure you really want to do that.

guide me to the express tools?

You don't need the Express Tools.
._LayDel has been part of core AutoCAD since R2007 I believe.
However, to answer your question about ET, just type in EXPRESSTOOLS to load the menu if it is not loaded.

The ._LayMrg command may be a better option for you. Explore this command in HELP.

[quentinl]

LAYWALK should show you what objects are on those layers.

[NEaton]

LAYWALK doesn't show a block if the layer is embedded in the block but doesn't have an element on it.
-Nancy

LAYWALK should show you what objects are on those layers.

[Julesagain]

guide me to the express tools? This is making me crazy. Maybe I'm going about this wrong. I have three layers on a list of several dozen that I need to keep and dump the rest. I do not care what is on the other layers, I just want them gone.

Can you do a COPYCLIP and then PASTE into an empty drawing? Or WBLOCK the things you want to save out as a new drawing.