Layer State Confusion

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by Jack G, Dec 20, 2003.

  1. Jack G

    Jack G Guest

    Is it just me, or are there two different layer state managers -- one in
    AutoCad's core and another in the Express Tools ??? The two use about the
    same terminology but don't seem to be related. Store a state in the Express
    manager and it doesn't show up the built-in manager; store a state in the
    built-in manager and it doesn't show up in the Express manager.

    I'm about to write something that will use a Layer State Manager, but would
    like to know which one to base it on. My instinct is to abandon the Express
    manager and remove any easy access to it (so people in the office don't
    continue using it). I notice however that the Express version is easier to
    use because it requires fewer clicks.

    Does anyone know where these managers store their data?? I don't see any
    tables or dictionaries that look like they have anything. Or are they only
    accessible thru vla?

    Thanks for any input.

    Jack
     
    Jack G, Dec 20, 2003
    #1
  2. Jack G

    Jeff Mishler Guest

    Jack,

    I don't have the current express tools (I'm on 2002) so I'm not sure if
    the Lman is still the same, but in the R14 Bonus Tools the layer states
    were saved as xdata having the application name of "RAK" (those are the
    initials of the original lisp routine programmer) attached to EACH
    layer. If you hace access to the R14 bonus tools, the lisp routine is
    not encrypted so it is relatively easy to see what is saved and how it
    is saved.

    The current layerstates, as used in the standard layer command, are
    saved as a Dictionary attached to the Layers Collection object, and has
    the name "ACAD_LAYERSTATES".
     
    Jeff Mishler, Dec 20, 2003
    #2
  3. Jack G

    Jack G Guest

    I've noticed that the built-in version doesn't seem to store true-color
    numbers in its layer state whereas the older express tool does. That can be
    a problem!
     
    Jack G, Dec 22, 2003
    #3
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