Layer State Confusion

[Jack G]

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

 

[Jeff Mishler]

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".

 

[Jack G]

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!