Place Viewports on a predetermined layer

[stircrazy]

Is there a way to specify a preferred layer for the creation of a viewport? I would have thought it would have been under drawing settings→object layers, but that isn't it.

When I create the viewport, my system creates the viewport under "C-PRMG-INFO-PVPT", but I'd prefer to use something different, if possible. Currently I just reassign the viewport layer and/or merge it to my preferred layer.

Granted, this is a very minor annoyance, but, it would be nice to skip this annoyance altogether.

Using mostly Civil 3D 2018.

, stir

[Tom Beauford]

If those viewports aren't being created on the current layer you must already have code loaded that's setting the layer.

Otherwise Lee Mac's Layer Director should be able do that for you: http://www.lee-mac.com/layerdirector.html

[rkmcswain]

@stircrazy - most objects in AutoCAD, get created on whatever is the current layer. It's been this way since the beginning.
Over the years, some objects have received an optional helper sysvar to control the creation layer (Dimensions for example), or you can make use of the tool palette, where you can assign a layer to an object creation button.
Lastly Tom's suggestion is a good one, although it won't help using AutoCAD LT (for anyone reading this down the road)

[stircrazy]

Thank you both for your responses. I must clearly have something running (my company has numerous tools load at startup), as that layer doesn't even exist in my template prior to making a viewport, much less the current layer.

I may have to look into the tool pallets route, though from poking around in it just a minute ago, this looks like it will be more cumbersome than just changing the layer.

Thanks again!

[rkmcswain]

I may have to look into the tool pallets route, though from poking around in it just a minute ago, this looks like it will be more cumbersome than just changing the layer.

It's super easy.

Make a viewport.
Put it on the desired layer.
Open your Tool Palette to the desired palette.
Grab the viewport, drag it over to the palette.
(Here is the weird part.... because ACAD inserts the command "vports")
Select the button you just created in the palette
Right-click > Properties
Change the command from "vports" to "mview".
Click OK.

Now this button will start the MVIEW command, you draw your viewport, and when you're done drawing, it will be on the same layer as the one you created the button from.

[jmcshane]

Cheers RK.
Brilliant tip.

[sllana727273]

Or you can redefine the command vport to first make the desired layer current and then create the viewport