Shadowy Things Lurk in Layer Locking

In AutoCAD 2008 Autodesk made a change in how they display drawing entities in layers that are locked. Entities in these locked layers show up as dimmed images compared to those entities in unlocked layers.

As always, there is an AutoCAD variable that can control the amount of dimming or turn it off entirely. The variable is: LAYLOCKFADECTL

From the AutoCAD Help file:

Type:	Integer
Saved in:	Registry
Initial value:	50

Controls the dimming for objects on locked layers

The range for controlling the dimming for objects on locked layers is from -90 to 90.

0	Locked layers are not dimmed.
>0	When the value is positive, controls the percent dimming up to 90 percent.
<0	When the value is negative, locked layers are not dimmed, but the value is saved for switching to that value by changing the sign.

Note: The dimming value is limited to 90 percent to avoid confusion with layers that are turned off or frozen.

PS - The HydraCAD tools - Pick Lock and Pick Unlock (which are both found in HcadTool->Layers) are handy for locking and unlocking layers without knowing the layer names.

Comments

[LarryH]

Art

I like how the layers fade out if they are locked but noticed “isolate layers” also had the lurking shadows, this I did not like. Don't know the variable but it can be controlled at the command prompt by entering "S" to change the settings and setting it to "Off" instead of "Lock and Fade"

[Matt G]

The variable to turn layers off instead of freeze & lock is....
layiso: Enter
s: Enter
off: Enter
enter: Enter