Can't Find Layer Hidden In Unknown Block

["Mitch"]

I received a drawing that contains a layer in the manager box. But when I attempted to Quick Select that layer, the result returns as "0" and this same layer cannot be deleted, since the message tells me that layers with objects cannot be deleted. I thawed all layers and still get "0" and the layer won't delete. This should mean that the layer is hidden inside a block. This drawing has several hundreds of blocks! Is there an application within AutoCAD that will reveal to me which block that layer is in?

[BIGAL]

So you purged all the blocks 1st ? That reduces the  total number of blocks left need to do a couple of times.

 

If its a CIV3D dwg it can have styles in it with layers and purge will not remove unused. PURGESTYLES but thats a CIV3D command.

 

Did you google "get entities in block autocad lisp" lots of answers.

[CyberAngel]

My first strategy would be to freeze all other layers. With any luck, you'll see the bogus item immediately. When you select it, you'll see the block it belongs to.

 

My next strategy would be to change the color of that layer to some bright color that will stand out. If there's an object in a block on that layer, and its color isn't overridden, you should be able to spot it quickly.

 

Beyond that, I'd have to think that it's an End Definition object. When you create a block, there's a phantom object on the current layer that gets tacked onto the block definition. You can't see it, you can't select it, you'd never know it was there except in this case. LAYDEL should get rid of it.

 

 

[tombu]

As I generally prefer block entities to be on layer 0 anyway I'd simply merge that layer with layer 0 and be done with it.