Expert: Bob - 12/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am having a terrible time with layer manager.  It is happening after a I update an XREF.  The layers are fine on the screen but when I close out and re-open some of the layers that were turned off or frozen are back on.  I read on here about purging.  I tried it to see if that was the problem.  I purged before I closed out and it didn't cause it.  If this was happening with every sheet or all of the layers it wouldn't be so hard to figure out.  Before I close out of every dwg I purge and audit.  But like I said it's not happening to all dwgs or layers even.

ANSWER: Tim, I dont think this is the Layer Manager.

I only have a second, but I would first ask if you have any customization loaded, or 3rd party apps. Perhaps some lisp routine is being run.
Also, you mention purge and audit every time you close (excessive), but you dont mention SAVING.
You dont mention whether this is occuring in Model Space or in layouts, or both.
You dont mention the release you use, but XREFs have had a number of improvements in recent ones, and I thus have no way to judge whether you are handling them right.

Hit me back with more details and I will try to help when I can take more time.

BOB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry I was so vague.  We are running 05.  We use a lot of customized toolbars, tool pallets and lisp routines.  We have a customized button that closes out of drawings that audits, purges and saves at shut down.  The problem is happening in layouts.  Our visretain is set at 1.  We freeze through our viewports and we have multiple xrefs overlayed in a drawing at a time.

Answer
Hi -- thanks.

I wouldn't say another thing, until you tell me what happens when you just plain SAVE.  I think the #1 candidate for culprit is the customization, but that could just be my prejudice.  I might look for a common factor in the drawings which give you the problem; something that messes up when you hit that button. I see no need at all to purge and audit every time you close, from R14 on, but there may be some factor in your particular kind of work that suggests they are needed.

If you were on 2006 (the whole thing re toolbars and customization changed) or newer, I would be 90% sure that is it.  I think the xref changes were later.

(My thing with customization -- I find that many longer term users have setups that they keep when upgrading, and do not stop to try the new features of the new releases, and see if they can eliminate customization. Since I work on many types of things and teach, I dont do much production, so I never created much of my own.)

When you eventually upgrade, you should find that the Sheet Set Manager and Workspaces, as well as the Dashboard, will be timesavers, if you take advantage of them.

Hit me back with the result of just plain saving, and I will pass this on to one of my more expert friends if we need to.

BOB