Unlock all

[Jessica28]

I am running autocad 2012...I am looking for a fast and easy way to Unlock all layers with as few key strokes as possible.....Does anyone have any suggestions? Or is there a command already in Autocad that I dont know about?

Thanks, Jess

[Stefan BMR]

This is what I use for some years

(command "_.-LAYER" "Unlock" "*" "")

[eldon]

Or typing from the keyboard

 

-la (Enter)

u (Enter)

* (Enter)

(Enter)

[designerstuart]

have you considered making a script or macro to do this? you could then do it at the click of a button or drag and drop of a file.

(it's very easy)

[eldon]

It would take me longer to find a button, than to type it. Then there are other commands using the "-la " sequence. And I don't move the mouse pointer around the screen, so I save mouse movement on the next command.

 

But I cannot deny you the opportunity to clutter up your own workspace and get RSI moving the mouse

[Jessica28]

If I knew how to write macros or scripts i would..I havent spent much time trying to learn to do so..But i think that might change....As for using the "-la" command and unlocking that way?....Too many key strokes. I think like 9....I'd like to get it down to 1 or 2 : )

[mdbdesign]

Try script:

just drag it and drop it into drawing area

unlock.scr

[eldon]

Too many key strokes. I think like 9.

 

A mediumly competent user of a keyboard could do that in less than three seconds. I cannot believe that anything else that depended on mouse movement would take less time. Perhaps speed is not of the essence.

 

There seems to be a trend that using the keyboard seems not to be considered a viable option. Perhaps it is not being taught any more, or perhaps there is damage to body parts

[designerstuart]

for those too lazy to open a file, the above script works fine, and is just this:

-layer
u
*

you can make this a macro by substituting 'enter' for semicolon ';' so your button would be

^C^C_-layer;unlock;*;;

i tend to go with eldon on the 'commands are superior to buttons' thing but have recently found the occasional button is better than a string of commands. if you add the above button, you can unlock all layers in one click. that's good, in my book.

 

so briefly, to make the button:

command CUI

 

click "make new command"

expand right pane, fill in box with macro details

choose a button icon or edit one to make your own

 

it really is simple once you have done it once! good luck!

[Rebel]

A mediumly competent user of a keyboard could do that in less than three seconds. I cannot believe that anything else that depended on mouse movement would take less time. Perhaps speed is not of the essence.

 

There seems to be a trend that using the keyboard seems not to be considered a viable option. Perhaps it is not being taught any more, or perhaps there is damage to body parts

That seemed to be the case with my step brother. He was taking a CAD class and the teacher would not allow use of the command line for anything other than dimensional input. According to the teacher, nothing in the command line could be done as fast as using a button. I begged my step brother to let me sit in on the class with him, but he was young and didn't want me to embarass him hahahaha.

[f700es]

Oh man, I would have had a ball with that "teacher". Doofus ---> teacher

 

That seemed to be the case with my step brother. He was taking a CAD class and the teacher would not allow use of the command line for anything other than dimensional input. According to the teacher, nothing in the command line could be done as fast as using a button. I begged my step brother to let me sit in on the class with him, but he was young and didn't want me to embarass him hahahaha.

[RocketSurgeon]

That seemed to be the case with my step brother. He was taking a CAD class and the teacher would not allow use of the command line for anything other than dimensional input. According to the teacher, nothing in the command line could be done as fast as using a button. I begged my step brother to let me sit in on the class with him, but he was young and didn't want me to embarass him hahahaha.

 

I prefer the command line in most cases. Most co-workers have their screen set up different (if not a different version all together) than mine, but they haven't bothered to change the commands. When you go over to help them, you are not looking for a misplaced button.

However, linking 4 or 5 tasks to a single click is "Working Smarter, Not Harder," in my book.

[f700es]

Agreed, the command line has been and always will be the fasted way to use Acad. Noobs and wanna-bes use icons the pros use commands.

[rkent]

If I knew how to write macros or scripts i would..I havent spent much time trying to learn to do so..But i think that might change....As for using the "-la" command and unlocking that way?....Too many key strokes. I think like 9....I'd like to get it down to 1 or 2 : )

 

Jessica28 - Are you still checking this thread? If so I will post a simple lisp routine and how to load it, etc. so you can get started down the road to more keyboard commands.