Layer filter wildcards (how to have multiple)

Hi everyone. I am trying to create a layer filter using the ~ (tilde), but
need it for 2 exclusions in one filter. My mechanical layers are set up in
3 categories, one each for "new work", "existing work" and "demolition
work", for example: M-HVAC-DSUP (new work), M-HVAC-DSUP-X (existing work)
and M-HVAC-DSUP-D (demolition work). I have layer filters "MECH-EXST" for
showing only existing work layers and "MECH-DEMO" for showing only
demolition work layers. I would like one that shows only new work layers.
Currently I have ~*-X in my "MECH-NEW" layer filter, but it shows all new
work layers and demolition layers (excluding all existing layers). I have
looked through help under several different search subjects trying to find a
way to seperate wildcard criteria in the Named Layer Filters dialog box, but
cannot find anything. I've tried doing ~*-X;~*-D as well as ~*-X,~*-D
(using a semicolon in the first attempt and a comma in the second) to no
avail.

I've already tried to get everyone to agree to just add a -N to the end of
the new work layers, but nobody wants to change. So I'm left with trying
these wildcards.

Any help would be appreciated greatly, thank you in advance.

Jake Pitcher
AutoCAD 2002
Windows XP Pro

 

If the last two characters of the layers you want off are always "-X" "-D", then it should be to hard in lisp.

(defun c:NewLayerFilter (/ ActDoc clay LayCol tmpLayName)

(setq ActDoc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-Acad-Object)))
(vla-StartUndoMark ActDoc)
(setq clay (getvar "clayer"))
(if (or
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-D")
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-X")
)
(setvar "clayer" "0")
)
(setq LayCol (vla-get-Layers ActDoc))
(vlax-for item LayCol
(setq tmpLayName (vla-get-Name item))
(if (or
(= (strcase (substr tmpLayName (1- (strlen tmpLayName)))) "-D")
(= (strcase (substr tmpLayName (1- (strlen tmpLayName)))) "-X")
)
(vla-put-LayerOn item :vlax-false)
(vla-put-LayerOn item :vlax-true)
)
)
(vla-EndUndoMark ActDoc)
(princ)
)

See if that works.
Tim
ps. Written on the fly.

 

Tim, I loaded that lisp that you wrote, but it gave back an error, which was
; error: bad argument value: positive 0
Any ideas what it might be?

Jake

 

Try this one. The problem was when a layers name was only one character.

Tim

(defun c:NewLayerFilter (/ ActDoc clay LayCol tmpLayName)

(vl-load-com)
(setq ActDoc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-Acad-Object)))
(vla-StartUndoMark ActDoc)
(setq clay (getvar "clayer"))
(if
(and (> (strlen clay) 2)
(or
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-D")
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-X")
)
)
(setvar "clayer" "0")
)
(setq LayCol (vla-get-Layers ActDoc))
(vlax-for item LayCol
(setq tmpLayName (vla-get-Name item))
(if
(and (> (strlen clay) 2)
(or
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-D")
(= (strcase (substr clay (1- (strlen clay)))) "-X")
)
)
(vla-put-LayerOn item :vlax-false)
(vla-put-LayerOn item :vlax-true)
)
)
(vla-EndUndoMark ActDoc)
(princ)
)

 

Does ~*-[XD] do what you want?

 

Yes, that worked just fine.... I also figured out another way about an hour
before reading your message, and that was ~*-?

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

Jake Pitcher