How to paste objects to a specific layer?

[Siberian]

I want to copy some objects from one drawing to another. However, in the source drawing the objects are on one layer, but I want them on another layer in the target drawing. I know pasting the objects as a block fixes the problem, but as soon as I explode them they're back on their original layer - and I have to select them all and move them to the preferred layer - which can be tedious with multiple objects.

 

Any ideas?

[Tiger]

I thought the objects land on the layer that is active? As long as you don't paste them as block that is.

 

edit - just tried it and I was wrong.. dang. Don't know why I was so certain that it worked that way.

 

You can use COPYTOLAYER, but that only works within a drawing.. You can use Select Previous when changing the layers on the objects, or make a selection set, that should reduce the time it takes to do the operation at least..

[Dadgad]

I have never used this http://www.lee-mac.com/resetxreflayers.html

lisp by Lee Mac, but based on how fantastic all of his other ones

which I use everyday are, I'd be willing to make an educated guess

that this one is great too.

Thanks Lee

Will it suit the task at hand, not sure, but it is certainly worth checking out.

[dbroada]

I thought they always remained on the layer they were copied from. If I have to do this I paste to an empty part of the drawing (placing cross hairs if necessary for a "base"), then change their layer and finally moving them to the desired location. This obviously only works if you have sufficient clear space to land the objects - which we always have.

[Siberian]

I thought they always remained on the layer they were copied from. If I have to do this I paste to an empty part of the drawing (placing cross hairs if necessary for a "base"), then change their layer and finally moving them to the desired location. This obviously only works if you have sufficient clear space to land the objects - which we always have.

 

While this sort of works, the objects' original layer is still brought over to the target drawing. Probably because each object is a block in the source drawing...? And this prevents me from reaches the goal of having all the copied objects rely only upon one single layer. I could of course explode these blocks before copying them, but when I start moving them around after pasting them it's convenient that they are indeed blocks.

[Tiger]

But shouldn't be that difficult.

 

You have objects that are blocks on one layer in drawing A - I assume both the block and the contents of the block are on the same layer.

 

Paste objects, select objects, explode objects, change layer, create block. A Macro is what I am thinking? It won't be pretty but I suspect it will do the job..

[SLW210]

Paste As Block, then use XPLODE, it will give you some options, one is LAyer.

 

Select objects to XPlode.

Select objects: 1 found

Select objects:

1 objects found.

Enter an option

[All/Color/LAyer/LType/LWeight/Inherit from parent block/Explode] : la

Enter new layer name for exploded objects : 0

[Dadgad]

Paste As Block, then use XPLODE, it will give you some options, one is LAyer.

 

Good one SLW, I like that!

[PotGuy]

Surprised there would be a difference between 'x' and 'xplode' as 'x' seems a logical hotkey for it. But, I like being proved wrong.

[Tiger]

X = EXPLODE

 

I assume XPLODE is an express command. And yes, good find - there are more in those Express commands that you think!

 

Edit - I was wrong, it's a standard ACAD command. The comment still stands, but I am even more impressed!

[PotGuy]

That's what I'm saying, you wouldn't really think there would be a command called 'xplode' when there's already 'explode' and 'x'! We also have a lisp routine called 'burst' that keeps data in an explode assoc. block. The blocks where you double click on it and can edit text from a table that pops up for that block.

[machuching]

why don't you just RENAME the layer of the SOURCE OBJECT to the name of the layer of the TARGET FILE BEFORE you copy?  in that way, after you PASTE, it will be on the same layer.  problem solved.  

[CyberAngel]

8 hours ago, machuching said:

why don't you just RENAME the layer of the SOURCE OBJECT to the name of the layer of the TARGET FILE BEFORE you copy?  in that way, after you PASTE, it will be on the same layer.  problem solved.  

In that situation, I'll put the source objects on layer 0, copy them, then deal with the layers once they get pasted on the other end. Because I've usually forgotten the name of the layer by the time I switch drawings and corral all the objects

 

Edit: Oh and thanks for the XPLODE tip. I like to learn new things every day

Edited June 6 by CyberAngel