Layer states

Layer states let you save and restore configurations of layer properties. You might want a layer to be displayed in blue sometimes and green at other times, or you need some layers to be off or frozen or locked when editing a specific part of a drawing. After spending a lot of time adjusting all layer settings you can use layer states to save your settings. You can save multiple layer states in a drawing. Layer states can be copied between drawings and you can save a layer state to an external file, which can then be imported in another drawing.

To easily create layer states, the Layer Utility commands might be useful.

The LAYERSTATE command opens the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

Saving the current layer state

  1. Click the New button on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

    A new layer state is created.

  2. Type a name for the layer state, replacing the NewLayerState1 default name.

  3. (option) When in Detail View, type a description in the Description field.

  4. Select the Layer Properties to restore.

    Click the tick box to select a layer property, click again to remove a property.

  5. Select a Restore option.
  6. When in paper space, tick the Apply properties a viewport overrides option.
Note: In a new layer state, all layer properties are selected to be restored by default.

Editing layer states

  1. (option) Click the Overwrite button to overwrite the layer state with the current layer settings.
  2. (option) Rename the layer state.
  3. (option) Edit the layer state description.
  4. (option) Edit the Layer Properties to restore.

    Click the tick box to select a layer property, click again to remove a property.

Restoring layer states

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Restore button on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.
    • Right-click, then choose Restore in the context menu.
  2. Click the Regen button, unless the Regen Auto button is pressed.
Note:
  • The restore option of the layer state applies to layers which are added after the selected layer state was created. The options are:
    • Turn Off.
    • Freeze
    • Do nothing.
  • Layer states can be restored using the Layer State control, which you can add to a ribbon panel or a toolbar.

Copying layer states between open drawings

  1. Open both, the source and the target drawing.
  2. Select the source drawing in the Open Drawings list on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

  3. Select the layer state(s) you want to copy.

    Press and hold the Ctrl key to select multiple layer states.

  4. Hold down the left mouse button, then drag-and-drop the selection onto the target drawing in the Open Drawings list on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

    The selected layer states are copied to the target drawing.

Exporting layer states

  1. Select the layer state on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

  2. Click the Export button.

    The Export Layer States dialog box appears.

  3. In the File Name field, type a name for the layer state file.

  4. Select a destination folder.

  5. Click the Save button.

Importing layer states

  1. Click the Import button on the Drawing Explorer / Layer States dialog box.

    The Import Layer States dialog box appears.

  2. Select the layer state file to import.

  3. Click the Open button.

    The layer state is imported.