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Working with AutoCAD Layer Group Filter

August 10, 2015 by Edwin Prakoso 2 Comments

Table of Contents

  • Creating Group Filter
  • Adding layers to Group Filter
  • Creating sub filter
  • Using Filter to change layer properties
  • Showing Filter in Layer Dropdown
  • About Properties Filter

An AutoCAD drawing can have so many layers. Especially if you follow a standard. Each discipline can have their own layers. You can easily have hundreds of layers in your drawing!

The challenge will come when you need to work with those layers. Let’s take a simple example: you need to freeze all annotation layers.

It may sounds easy, but if you use AIA layers, architecture alone can has 10 annotation layers.

architecture_annotation_layers

Yes, you can multiple select the layers by holding SHIFT key before you freeze them. But if you also have civil, structure and equipment layers you need to repeat the procedure.

You can do this very quickly if you use group filter.

Creating Group Filter

You can create group filter in AutoCAD Layer Properties Manager.

To create a group filter, select All in the filters list. Click New Group Filter icon.

new_group_filter

Rename the group filter to describe what layers are in the group.

annotation_group

Adding layers to Group Filter

To add layers to this group, select the layers that you want to add then drag and drop them to the group.

drag_and_drop_layers_to_group_filter

You can also right click and choose Layer Filters> Annotation from context menu. If you use other name than Annotation, you should find it in context menu.

Creating sub filter

You can create a sub filter below your current filter. For example you want a filter for architecture annotations, structure annotations and equipment annotations.

To do this, select the Annotation filter in the filters list then click New Group Filter icon.

new_sub_filter

Create all sub filters as necessary.

After you created the sub filter, repeat the procedure to add layers to these sub filter.

Using Filter to change layer properties

You can use group filter from layer manager. If you select a group filter, the Layer Properties Manager will show only layers in that particular filter.

When you right click above the filter, you will see layer properties settings that you can apply to all layers in that group.

lock_layers_in_group_filter

If you choose lock, then annotation layers will be locked.

Showing Filter in Layer Dropdown

You can show only layers on a particular filter in Layer Dropdown. That includes layer dropdown in ribbon and toolbar.

In Layer Properties Manager, click settings button on the top right of the palette.

layer_settings

In opened dialog box, make sure Apply layer filter to layer toolbar is checked. This should be on by default, but activate it if it’s not.

Apply_layer_filter_to_layer_toolbar

Click OK to close the dialog box.

In Layer Properties Manager, choose which layer filter you want to apply. In this example I use Architecture sub filter.

There is a green tick mark to see which filter is active.

used_layer_filter

This is very useful if you are working on a specific task that only requires several layers. Having a short list of layers that you actually use is much more convenient than see the entire layers.

About Properties Filter

You can also create filters based on the properties. There is one properties filter available in your drawing by default: All Used Layers. This filter shows all layers that you use in the drawing.

This type of filter works automatically. You don’t have to define which layers should be in this group.

Let’s say you want to list all layers that has “ANNO” in layer name. You can filter it by using wildcard *ANNO*.

Every time you add new layer with ANNO in layer name, it will automatically included in the filter.

You can read more about Properties Filter here.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as an Application Engineer in Jakarta, Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn

Filed Under: AutoCAD Tagged With: autocad tips, layer, layer filter

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Dave Alexanderaksalaymeh Recent comment authors
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Dave Alexander
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Dave Alexander

The most efficient way to work with layers is to use a tool button macro that represents an entity that changes the current layer to the layer that the new entity is required to be located on. This way, you do not have to change layers, simply select the entity and the macro does the rest. This way you do not need to know the layer names.

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1 year ago
aksalaymeh
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aksalaymeh

Thanks, awesome topic

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4 years ago

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