If the linework inside your standard blocks is set to 'By Block', you can control the lineweight/color of the blocks by inserting them on the appropriate layer, or by changing the object properties of individual blocks.Īnd because of the fact that Layers 0 and Defpoints are 'linked', it is not a good idea to use Defpoints. This results in objects that stay white even when you try to change their color, etc.

This is very important - otherwise your block's properties will get hard-coded to the Layer 0 of whatever drawing they are in. For these objects, I put the linework on Layer 0, and make sure that the properties of the entities in the block (the linework, etc.) are set to 'By Block' (and NOT the more-standard 'By Layer'). These are the common, stock symbols that you use all the time, such as a 'fire hydrant' symbol, or whatever. The only time I use Layer 0 is in standard symbols, for example, symbols that get inserted using the Description Key Manager in Land Desktop. You no longer have independent control over the stuff on Layers 0 and Defpoints in your XREF. When you XREF a drawing into your current drawing, objects on Layers 0 and Defpoints in your XREF take on the properties of Layers 0 and Defpoints in your current drawing. In other words, you would have the following layers:

Note that this does not happen with layers 0 and Defpoints. For example, if you have a NOTES layer in the current drawing, and a NOTES layer in an XREF named 'BUBBA', you will see the following two layers in your drawing: Normally, when you XREF a drawing, you will see layer names that consist of layer name preceded by XREF name. What exactly do you do? I can't imagine anyone putting EVERYTHING on layer 0 - that would limit or break about 90% of the stuff that Autocad is capable of.īut to answer your question, note that Layer 0 and Layer Defpoints are both treated as 'special' layers in Autocad.

Autocad what is defpoints layer