deleting layer

[ixyak]

sometimes i can't delete an unused layer, why? if there's a causal factor, can i ignore and just DELETE it?

[Organic]

The layer might be used in a block or inside some other entity etc.

 

The express tool (lisps that comes with AutoCad) LAYDEL deletes the layer irregardless if there is content on there or not (so be careful).

 

You could also use LAYTRANS to translate (move) the contents of those layers you want to delete (that you think are empty) to another layer of your choice to ensure you aren't accidentally deleting something from the file. Those previous layers (that were translated from) will then be removed.

[BlackBox]

The express tool (lisps that comes with AutoCad) LAYDEL deletes the layer irregardless if there is content on there or not (so be careful).

 

FTFY :wink:

[Organic]

FTFY :wink:

 

Thanks, that is one I still mess up

[BlackBox]

Thanks, that is one I still mess up

 

Always happy to not help. LoL

[Dadgad]

LAYMRG will do it too, essentially the same function as LAYTRANS, I haven't used LAYTRANS in a while, but the LAYMRG commands might be a bit more straight forward for dealing with one or two layers. I frequently have SOLPROF layers which, despite having no content, don't want to give up the ghost. If you use the select by NAME option you don't need to find the nonexistent items to select them, which is helpful.

[ixyak]

well, it looks like LAYTRANS is safer than the others, thanks man. it's very helpfull

[RobDraw]

but it is just a cover up. Whatever was on that layer that prevented you from deleting it is still there.

[Dadgad]

but it is just a cover up. Whatever was on that layer that prevented you from deleting it is still there.

 

LAYMRG and LAYTRANS are both work arounds applied thusly, to an offense which can not easily be located. The presence of an undesired and purge-proof layer is the flag which exacerbates the problem. If there is danger of deleting something of subsequent consequence (identifiable or not)(empty text item or not) by using the LAYERDELETE command, I would still think that leaving it in the drawing might be the better way to go. If it is that elusive when searched for, then it seems that the chances of it causing any palpable harm, greater than the presence of the unwanted layer are slim. Certainly a matter of personal preference.

The mysterious bit is little more than the sound of one hand clapping.

[BlackBox]

LAYISO, QSELECT, and Select Similar commands should be able to easily identity any entities on said layer(s). Finding the culprit entities is not (or at least should not be) the issue.

 

Edit - SSX command too, perhaps. Also:

 

(defun c:SSL ( / ss)
 (princ "\rSELECTALLBYLAYER ")
 (prompt "\nSelect an entity on the desired layer: ")
 (if (setq ss (ssget ":s:e:l"))
   (sssetfirst nil 
     (ssget "a" (list (assoc 8 (entget (ssname ss 0))) 
                      (cons 410 (getvar 'ctab)))))
 )
 (princ)
)

 

** Untested - written quickly from memory, on iPhone.

Edited January 11, 2012 by BlackBox

[SLW210]

_PURGE for empty text objects and zero length geometry.