XLayer

Extended Modify Layer

XLayer Summary

XLayer solves the problem associated with Xrefs, blocks, and all their associated layers; mostly with editing the layer properties. The program allows you to click on an object and edit the layer properties without using the Layer Manager. This saves time because you do not have to know the name of the layer you want to edit. Nor do you need to know what Xref it is contained in. The program will also let you edit any layer of a nested object.

For example, if you have a block that contains a line, this block is in an xref, which is in the current drawing. You are able to select the line and then modify any of three layers; the layer the Xref is inserted on in the current drawing, the layer the block is inserted on in the Xref drawing, the layer the line is drawn on in the Xref drawing.

Current Drawing

Xref - Attached to your current drawing. Access the layer the xref is currently on.
- Block - Contained within xref. Access the layer the block is currently on in the Xref.
  - Line - Contained within the block. Access the layer the line is currently on in the block and xref.

In addition to the standard layer control functions included in the Layer Manager you also get a few that are not:

One click selecting of layer to modify
Nested entity layer selector
Isolate in active viewport (PS only)
Thaw in all paperspace viewports (PS only)

License, Download, and Installation

License

XLayer is free!

I created XLayer almost 20 years ago. It was the very first program I wrote for AutoCAD because I knew there was a better way to control layers. Since then it's been used hundreds of thousands of times making you more productive every day. XLayer is and will continue to be free!

Download

Click here to download latest version.

Make sure you save the file in a location you can find later. A good place to save is your Desktop.

Installation

Extract the files to a folder on your computer which is also in the AutoCAD support directory list. A common location is the C:\Program Files\AutoCAD\Support folder, but you can create your own folder and add it to the AutoCAD Support Search Paths.
Start AutoCAD. Select the menu Tools, then Customize, then Interface....
Click on the tab called Customize at the top. Then click on Load Customization File button.
Locate the folder where you extracted the files. Open the Xlayer.CUIX file.
Finally, hit OK to close the dialog.
Right click on an open area of the toolbar area and select "Xlayer", then select "Xlayer" again.

Usage

Load the toolbar as instructed (you only need to do this once).
Run the command by selecting the toolbar icon or typing XLAYER.
Select object on layer you wish to edit. Dialog appears with layer properties.
Selecting an object while inside a Paperspace viewport will show additional properties for viewport overrides.
If object is nested (i.e. within an xref, within a block, etc) use the dropdown list at the top to select a different layer to modify.
Press PICK to cancel current modifications and select a new layer to modify.

Version History

1.6 (2020-02-07) - Fixed bug in VP Overrides set in other viewports but detected as set in current viewport; Update help link url.

1.5 (2019-08-19) - Added support for VP Overrides; Added support for Named Plotstyles and Transparency; Removed dependency on external DCL file.

1.4 (2019-08-02) - Fixed bug when selecting the xclip border of an xref.

1.3 (2018-11-30) - Fixed bug with Layer Lineweight set to Default being changed to 0.00.

1.2 (2018-06-04) - Added support for TrueColor and ColorBook.

1.1 (2009-10-26) - Minor bug fixes.

1.01 (2004-12-28) - Revised readme file

1.0 (2004-10-04) - First public release.

Known Issues

Version 1.6

None

Version 1.5

Incorrectly displays Viewport Overrides in any Viewport when the layer has overrides in one or more viewports. Update to Version 1.6 or newer.

Version 1.3

XLayer crashes when selecting a XCLIPFRAME. Update to Version 1.4 or newer.

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