Filter the Layer List

December 11, 2006

Do you have so many layers that you spend too much time rummaging through them? You can filter the layer list so that you see only what you want to see. One advantage to this is that you can then easily select several layers and makes changes to the group, all at once. For example, you can change the color of all the selected layers.

You can create two types of filters:

• Properties filter: You define the filter by the properties of the layer, such as blue layers that start with the letter N.
• Group filter: You define the filter by selecting layers for the group. In other words, you can choose any layers you want and put them in a group.

Follow these steps to create a properties filter:

1. Open the Layer Properties Manager.
2. If you don't see the filter tree panel, right-click in the dialog box and choose Show Filter Tree.
3. Click the New Property Filter button. The Layer Filter Properties dialog box opens.

4. Enter a name in the Filter Name text box.
5. To filter according to a property, click in that property's column. Depending on the property, either an ellipsis button or a drop-down arrow appears. Click the button or arrow to specify the property. For example, when you click in the Color column, you click the ellipsis button, which opens the Select Color dialog box where you can choose a color.
6. To filter according to a property with a name, such as a layer's name or linetype, you can use wildcards. An asterisk (*) replaces any number of characters and a question mark (?) replaces any single character. For example, to find all layers that start with N, enter n* in the name column.
7. The preview pane shows the results of your filter. Click OK to display the filter in the Layer Properties Manager.

To create a group filter, follow these steps:

1. Open the Layer Properties Manager.
2. If you don't see the filter tree panel, right-click in the dialog box and choose Show Filter Tree.
3. Click the New Group Filter button. The words Group Filter1 appear in the filter tree panel, selected.
4. Immediately enter a new name for the filter.
5. Choose a filter that displays the layers you need, such as All.
6. Drag the layers that you want onto the group filter's name.
7. To add layers by selecting objects that are on the layers you want, right-click the filter and choose Select Layers > Add.
8. In the drawing select objects that are on the layers and end selection.
9. Click the group layer filter to see the result in the Layer Properties Manager.

About the Author

Ellen Finkelstein has been using AutoCAD since 1986. She has been consulting and teaching AutoCAD since 1993. Now she writes computer books and teaches management courses. She is the author of AutoCAD 2006 and AutoCAD LT 2006 Bible. You can find more tips and tutorials at www.ellenfinkelstein.com. Ellen can be reached at info@ellenfinkelstein.com

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