10 AutoCAD Layer Tools (You Might) Forgotten

Layer is indispensable in drawing management when

we use AutoCAD. Since it’s so important, there are a
lot of layer tools available in AutoCAD. Finding layer
names can be confusing, if you have lots of layers.
You can work graphically now. You can freeze or lock
AutoCAD layers by selecting objects as reference. No need to find the name
from a long list in layer manager. Honestly I don’t use all of them. But you might
find it useful. Here’s 10 AutoCAD layer tools you might forgotten.

1. Make Object’s Layer Current (LAYMCUR)

Using this tool will change the current layer by selecting an object as reference.
It will use the object’s layer. Imagine if you want to create a boundary. Instead
changing current layer from list, just activate this tool and pick an existing
boundary line!

2. Layer Previous (LAYERP)

This is useful if you need to work on other layer for a while. You can set the
current layer to previously used by using this tool.

*But I wonder why there’s no next? ;)

3. Layer Walk (LAYWALK)

This tool is very handy to check which object lies on which layer. Doing this can
be frustrating. But this tool make it easy. I love this tool! .

4. Layer Match (LAYMCH)

This tool will move an object from one layer to another, by selecting an object
as reference. This is similar with MATCHPROP but only matching the layer, not
matching any other properties.

5. Change to Current Layer (LAYCUR)

Using this tool will move objects to current layer. Simply activate it, select
objects, and voila! Those objects now moved to current layer.
6. Copy Objects to New Layer (COPYTOLAYER)
This tool will create a duplicate of selected objects, and place the new objects in
another layer. You can define the target by selecting an object as reference OR
you can select the layer name.

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*I guess the command key in is getting too long, isn’t it?

7. Layer Isolate (LAYISO) and Unisolate (LAYUNISO)

Layer isolate will isolate objects in a layer, and lock the rest of available layers.
When you have complex drawings, you might want to lock and unlock layers
quickly. Locking layers from layer manager definitely not good enough. Well,
this is the right tool for you! You can isolate layers by selecting objects!
Unisolate will restore the setting to before you use LAYISO.

8. Layer Off (LAYOFF) and Freeze (LAYFRZ)

These tools are similar to turning off layer or freezing layer through layer
manager. But instead of turning them of by it’s name, you select objects you
wanted to.

9. Turn All Layers On (LAYON) and Thaw All Layers (LAYTHW)

These also similar to using layer manager. But you can turn on all layers (or
thaw) at once using them.

10. Layer Merge (LAYMRG)

This tool will move all objects on destination layer to target layer. Destination
layer will be deleted after move. You can select destination/target using object
as reference or by selecting layer name.

Pretty nice, aren’t they?