<-- this guy needs some help

[btraemoore]

;;;get a working list of all the layers
	(vl-load-com)
	(setq acadDocument (vla-get-activedocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))
	(setq layertable (vla-get-layers acadDocument))
;;;make layers an array and editable
;;;make the properites of the layers accessable
;;;check the names against a standard list of valid layer names
;;;remove valid layers from the working list
;;;check the first layers color
;;;get a list of all valid layers with that color from the standard layers list
;;;check the line type of the first layer
;;;get a list of all valid layers with same line type from the modified list
;;;change the layer name to the standard valid layer name

this is my check list, I've gotten past step 1 and am at a loss now and I'm pretty sure im way off ... i need some redirection, can anybody help?

[MSasu]

This will help you build a list of layers associated lists:

(setq theLayer (cdr (assoc 2 (tblnext "LAYER" 1))))
(while theLayer
 (setq listLayers (append listLayers (list (entget (tblobjname "LAYER" theLayer))))
       theLayer (cdr (assoc 2 (tblnext "LAYER"))))
)

[btraemoore]

awesome, this is a good start. now i need to figure out how to get the color. i was thinking vlax-dump or vla-getcolor but i tried them and was getting a listp error

[MSasu]

In layer's associated list the color is stored under DXF code 62.

[BIGAL]

Can you elaborate a bit more what it is that your actually trying to achieve is it some form of layer management for users or what ? Just ignoring code questions for a moment.

[btraemoore]

I'm actually trying to make a routine that will automatically change the names of layers dependent upon the layer color and line type.

[MSasu]

Then, you should look for DXF codes 62 (color) and 6 (linetype).

(setq assocLayer (tblsearch "LAYER" LayerName)
      theName (strcat (itoa (cdr (assoc 62 assocLayer)))   ;color
                      "-"
                      (cdr (assoc 6 assocLayer))))         ;linetype

[btraemoore]

yes, i defiantly used the code to set my lt and color variables, im trying to figure out how to get a table length so i can set my while loop, and then i have to figure out how to compare it to the list that i have.

[pBe]

Will that be Linetype AND Color match?

At any rate, I suppose you will be adding a suffix or prefix on the layer name and NOT replace the entire name.

[btraemoore]

yes the Linetype and the color will match. No, I will be replacing the entire name. Once I have the list narrowed down to the LT and color that match the existing layer, im thinking of having it compare the first character in both name variables and choose the correct layer name to save based off that or having it evaluate the total matching characters in the applicable layer names via strcat ascii, maybe...