How to Use Layer States in BricsCAD

Quick answer: Layer states let you save and restore whole configurations of layer properties, useful when you need a layer to display differently at different times, or specific layers off, frozen, or locked while editing a particular part of a drawing. You can save multiple layer states per drawing, copy them between drawings, and export or import them as external files. The layer utility commands are a quick way to set up the configuration you want before saving it as a state. LAYERSTATE opens the Drawing Explorer’s Layer States dialog.

Saving the Current Layer State

1. Click New in the Drawing Explorer’s Layer States dialog. A new layer state is created.
2. Rename it, replacing the default NewLayerState1.
3. In Detail View, optionally add a description.
4. Select which Layer Properties to restore; click a checkbox to select a property, click again to remove it. New layer states have every property selected by default.
5. Choose your Restore options.
6. In paper space, tick Apply properties as viewport overrides if needed.

Editing a Layer State

1. Optionally click Overwrite to update it with your current layer settings.
2. Optionally rename it.
3. Optionally edit its description.
4. Optionally adjust which Layer Properties to restore, the same checkbox toggle as when creating it.

Restoring a Layer State

1. Click Restore in the dialog, or right-click the layer state and choose Restore.
2. Click Regen, unless Regen at each change is already pressed.

The restore behaviour for layers added after the state was originally created is configurable: Turn Off, Freeze, or Do nothing. You can also restore a layer state directly using the Layer State control, which can be added to a ribbon panel or toolbar.

Copying Layer States Between Drawings

1. Open both the source and target drawings.
2. Select the source drawing in the Open Drawings list in the Layer States dialog.
3. Select the layer state(s) to copy; hold Ctrl to select several.
4. Drag and drop the selection onto the target drawing in the Open Drawings list. The layer states copy across.

Exporting a Layer State

1. Select the layer state in the dialog.
2. Click Export. The Export Layer States dialog opens.
3. Type a filename.
4. Choose a destination folder.
5. Click Save.

Importing a Layer State

1. Click Import in the dialog. The Import Layer States dialog opens.
2. Select the layer state file.
3. Click Open. It’s imported into the current drawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one layer state saved in a drawing? Yes, you can save as many as you need and switch between them.

What happens to layers created after a layer state was saved, when I restore it? That’s configurable: Turn Off, Freeze, or Do nothing, set as part of the restore options.

How do I reuse a layer state in a completely different drawing? Either drag and drop it from one open drawing to another in the Layer States dialog’s Open Drawings list, or export it to a file and import that file into the other drawing.

Is there a quicker way to set up layer properties before saving them as a state? Yes, the layer utility commands (like LAYOFF, LAYFRZ, and LAYLCK) are a fast way to configure layers by selecting entities, before saving the result as a layer state.