Default layer color when opening drawings

[beardking]

Is it possible to make it so that certain layers in AutoCAD are automatically set to a certain color when you open a drawing. I'm not talking about going into the Layer Properties Manager once in the drawing. Say I want the Defpoints layer to be color 30 automatically when I open a drawing, no matter what it was set to in that drawing prior to opening it. Is there a way to set that color automatically?

Thanks in advance

[cadtag]

look into acaddoc.lsp, and S::STARTUP

[BlackBox]

1+

I use AcadDoc.lsp for this as well, by passing a list of lists who's elements represent the desired LAYER name, color, linetype, etc, where the Layers Collextion Object's vla-Add Method will get-or-create the resultant LAYER Object.

Just be sure to also Pop the database to prevent being prompted to save changes.


Cheers

[Tom Beauford]

+2 on using acaddoc.lsp
Keeping your templates layers and styles in order is important as well.

Changing the color is fine, but remember the Defpoints layer is for AutoCAD dimension use only, not for anything else. Add a noplot work or construction line layer of your own if that's what you need.

There have been links about Defpoints layer issues as long as the internet has been around.

This link explains with references: http://forums.augi.com/showthread.ph...=1#post1266702

This old one from Mike Perry references a few more links worth looking at: http://forums.augi.com/showthread.ph...l=1#post662501

[rkmcswain]

..... I want the Defpoints layer to be color 30 automatically when I open a drawing, no matter what it was set to in that drawing prior to opening it. .

Here is a quick down and dirty way.
Put this in your AcadDoc.lsp, presuming you're not already altering/defining S::Startup in there somewhere else.

(defun-q mystartup ()
  (vl-cmdf "._layer" "_N" "Defpoints" "_C" "30" "Defpoints" "")
)
(setq s::startup (append s::startup mystartup))

Just be sure to also Pop the database to prevent being prompted to save changes.

I have to disagree on this. Personally, I want to be prompted if anything has changed, even if it's something I did.

[BlackBox]

I have to disagree on this. Personally, I want to be prompted if anything has changed, even if it's something I did.

I used to want that as well; back when I worked in a heavily standardized office, where the necessities were already addressed via single, monolithic template... And before I learned what preferences within said standard, I preferred to work with (i.e., layer "0" color, certain drawing-saved sysvars, etc).

Today, I suffer the benefit of not having any such standard, where most of the folks here end up doing their own thang (despite myriad pleas), and subsequently elect to not want to be repeatedly prompted for save for just opening another's drawing (in adjacent project, when inheriting a project, etc).

The user who authors AcadDoc.lsp should choose what best serves their needs (if not that of their users).

Cheers

[rkmcswain]

The user who authors AcadDoc.lsp should choose what best serves their needs (if not that of their users).

Cheers

Didn't mean to imply one way is right and the other wrong, just that there is a choice.

[jpaulsen]

Just be sure to also Pop the database to prevent being prompted to save changes.

I have never heard this term and now I am curious. I started a new thread HERE so I don't hijack this one.

[BlackBox]

Didn't mean to imply one way is right and the other wrong, just that there is a choice.

No worries; while 'choice' is an inherent part of how I approach things, doesn't mean that I shouldn't reiterate/acknowledge from time to time.


Cheers

[Tom Beauford]

Using acaddoc.lsp without s::startup

(setq activedocument (vla-get-activedocument acadobject)
      LayerTable (vla-get-layers activedocument))
(if (tblobjname "LAYER" "Defpoints")
	(vlax-put-property (vla-item LayerTable "Defpoints") 'Color 30)
	(vla-put-color (vla-add LayerTable "Defpoints") 30)
)
(setq activedocument nil LayerTable nil)