topic Re: Deleting rogue layers in Modeling

Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Tue, 23 May 2023 14:49:31 GMT

I have some layers in my projects (5 separate stages of the same project linked via mod files) that I simply can't purge.

This is what I've done:
- Opened the mod file so there are no sections, elevations, details or worksheets to confuse the matter
- Changed all object layers to ArchiCAD
- Turned on all layers and done find and select for elements on rogue layers on every story
- Made sure there aren't any hotlinks, xrefs or drawings linked into the file
- Opened everything in 3D and tried find and select again just in case there were objects hidden between view planes.

Nothing. I just can't purge them (I can delete them, but I don't like doing that).

Is there a way to run a report on a layer to see what's using it?

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Anonymous — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:06:41 GMT

Attribute Manager will report as used any layer that is the default setting for a tool.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:01:17 GMT

Yes - one of the steps I did was to set all tool layers to ArchiCAD (via the Active Layer option), so no tools are using created layers.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:20:12 GMT

It is also possible that you have Favorites saved and those Favorites store the layer set for them.
You may want to check into that.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:29:35 GMT

I didn't know that one - but that's not applicable in this situation as these layers were created after all the favorites were set up.

Good one to keep in mind for future purging though.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:40:14 GMT

The problem with purging layers in the Attributes is that it will probably select layers that belong in your office standard list, and these ones you might want to keep even though the project is not using it at the moment.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Erwin Edel — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:45:11 GMT

Have you checked your layout book + master layouts? (and details, worksheets and whatnot)?

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:02:48 GMT

Layouts and Masters already checked - nothing.

Shingo: these particular layers do not belong to our office standard list, so no problem there.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Link — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:54:27 GMT

Hi Bruce

What are the layers? Not those pesky Cadimage layers that they hardcode in and force us to use against our will?

On that note, check all your add-ons and accessories (eg. RoofMaker) as well as default layers for Hotlinked modules, etc. They aren't all covered by Active Layer AFAIR.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:16:39 GMT

No, these are definitely project-specific and not part of any add-on.

To give a better understanding: I have five stages to the one project. The modules are hotlinked into the other stages (in progression, i.e. stage 1 doesn't have any other stages referenced, stage 2 only has stage 1 referenced etc) and placed on a master hotlink layer suffixed with a "STGx" where x is the stage number.

I am getting instances where (for example) STG2 is appearing in the stage 1 file, but there is nothing placed on that layer (yes, I've checked all the hotlinks and where they're placed). I've searched all stories, all sections, elevations, worksheet windows...nothing. Deleting the layer seems to have no ill effect, but I can't figure out why it won't purge - and I don't like deleting layers as there just may be something somewhere using it.

To my mind, if I could get a list of the layers and what is placed on them, that would close the loop in the process. But I don't think ArchiCAD can do that yet (but it wouldn't be too hard I imagine as the information is already in the file somewhere).

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Erwin Edel — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:55:47 GMT

Any layers specified in the DWG-translators perhaps? Running out of ideas here too, sadly.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Link — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:17:46 GMT

Definitely sounds like a hotlink module issue. It's very strange that stage 2 layers are appearing in stage 1, if you've never put any stage 2 info in there. You sure no one else has? What's your default master layer for hotlinked modules?

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Deleting rogue layers

Bruce — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:48:39 GMT

The master hotlink layers are called "Import: Main.STGx" where 'x' is the stage number being referenced.

None of these layers are in DWG translators.

I even had one layer created by ArchiCAD called "Import: Main.STG2#2". Don't ask me how that one happened.

Anyhoo - I've deleted them now and it seems like I did cover all possible bases. It would be good to be able to run a layers report though.

Ta for all your help.