want to see objects but not select them

[SWfangirl]

I have a drawing with a bunch of stuff on different layers. I want to be able to see the stuff on those layers but not select them. I know I can lock the layers but if I use a left crossing window to select objects it still grabs the stuff on the locked layer.

I could make a copy of all of it, move it to layer 0, freeze all the layers except 0, defpts, and the layer I am working on, then move the stuff to defpts and lock layer 0 and when I am all done delete everything on defpts and thaw everything. But that seems like a lot.

There has to be a better way.

[DANIEL]

I'm not sure what your actually trying to do here but it sounds like you may need to investigate the filter command, it will help you in selecting only items on a specific layer.

[Jack_O'neill]

I have a drawing with a bunch of stuff on different layers. I want to be able to see the stuff on those layers but not select them. I know I can lock the layers but if I use a left crossing window to select objects it still grabs the stuff on the locked layer.

I could make a copy of all of it, move it to layer 0, freeze all the layers except 0, defpts, and the layer I am working on, then move the stuff to defpts and lock layer 0 and when I am all done delete everything on defpts and thaw everything. But that seems like a lot.

There has to be a better way.

 

Unless 2012 has changed how a locked layer works, you shouldn't be able to grab the things on the locked layer. Using the crossing, it will see the objects but reject them and tell you it did like this:

 

Command: e

ERASE

Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 10 found

6 were on a locked layer.

 

The six items on the locked layer will be ignored when executing commands. If you draw the crossing box first then start a command, it will highlight the stuff on the locked layer, but it won't turn the grips on. When the command executes, you'll see something like this:

 

Command: e

ERASE 10 found

6 were on a locked layer.

[Patrick Hughes]

It might be that some objects on the locked layer(s) are a part of a block that was inserted into a non-locked layer and when you are cross window selecting the insertion point is being selected. Unlock the layer(s) and do a LIST command on the object to see if it part of an insertion and what the layer is that it is inserted on.

[alanjt]

I'm with Jack, what's the big deal if they are selected? If it's a command that edits, it will ignore locked layers.

[SWfangirl]

There was a similar post a long time ago that is similar but I would like todo it to multiple layers.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?29551-Tough-Question-Layer-Locking-(Make-Layer-Visible-But-No-Pick)

I guess it would be like using layer freeze but still being visible.

When I have a 30MB file with hundreds of points that represent wind turbines along with roads, contours and all of the electrical stuff I do it makes things kind ofslow and sometimes the program crashes.

[alanjt]

What about LayIso with lockfade instead of off?

[SWfangirl]

I will try that.

Thanks

[alanjt]

or a simple lisp routine:

 

(defun c:S nil (sssetfirst nil (ssget "_:L")) (princ))

[SWfangirl]

or a simple lisp routine:

 

(defun c:S nil (sssetfirst nil (ssget "_:L")) (princ))

 

After using your lisp I tried to open the properties box and I promptly crashed. LOL

Maybe I will just make a new file and xref this one and it's xref in. Though I hate doing that.