Expert: J. B. Borge - 5/4/2009

Question
I use the lock and fade option with the layer lock so I can still see what I'm woking with. I need to lock and see (100%) my floorplan and still be able to lock and fade the other locked layers.How,if,can I only lock a certain layer without disrupting the other layers lock properties?

Answer
Andy, unfortunately you don't have the flexibility to assign & customize a fading feature to each individual layers. & i don't think Autodesk will be introducing this feature anytime in the future. However, i can recommend using x-ref's instead (if you haven't yet). Just wblock the major components of your floorplan (this will be your base & will probably include your existing/proposed items such as property boundaries, utilities, etc.). On a new dwg, xref the base & add new layers for annotations, hatches, landscaping, etc. Non pertinent items should be screened (Greyed out) and/or freezen in the xref layers.
This way, the major components in your floorplan is kinda locked except the x-ref dependent layers (annotations, hatches, etc.). Additionally with screened layers, this enables the user to focus more on colored layers when doing his/her editing.
Hope this helps, let me know.

Regards,
JB