Defpoints Layer

[Bruce T]

I have my view port on defpoints. When I am in paper space and click on the viewport border, nothing happens. You see the line but your cursor does not. What's going on? Help!

[CarlB]

While layer "0" is off or frozen. you cannot select items on yhe "defpoints" layer.
You might want to use some other layer for viewports, and set to "no plot".

[Bruce T]

Thanks Carl.

[CLSSY56]

Why not have a "viewport" layer?

[startrek]

Strange.....I don't think it is a good idea use defpoint layer for any thing - it is layer design for dimensioning, better not to mess up with it., and layer 0 usually also layer for inserting blocks etc. - don't think it is a good ideya (although people doit left and right) to freese/off it or change color and linetupe, so when you pass it on your drawing to client or subconsultant - they will not have any surprises. But again it just my opinion...

[CLSSY56]

The only thing I use defpoints is for construction lines (sometimes) and block insertion points. defpoints is for definition points. 0 layer is for making blocks... period. It's the only layer that can be manipulated when used in a block once it is inserted. Also if you change the color of the objects to "byblock" before making it a block, you can change colors per individual block.

Sorry, hahah somethings I am still learning after 10 years of using CAD.

[Cap'n Mac]

Originally Posted by startrek

I don't think it is a good idea use defpoint layer for any thing

Well, for sending off to persons of unknown CAD competence, MView and VPort "frames" defined on Defpoints do have the virtue of never plotting, no matter what. Plotting instructions can similarly be added, but one must remember that such text & graphical elements do modify the drawing's Extents; something that seems to confuse the CAD naive (dunno why that is). "Plot Here [add arrow]" and "Plot To Here [arrow]" can help many "downline" users.

And, yes, I've had to provide phone support for people who used "Select All" under Layer and turned everything to On, Thawed, Unlocked, and Plot(able).

The only pain with that is that PDFs will "plot" Defpoints (unless you tell the PDF printer not to; or, more preferablty, print first to DWF, then print the dwf as pdf.)

[startrek]

>>>Cap'n Mac
With all do respect I am not gonna proof my "CAD competence", I don't think I need to.
Defpoint Layer - is used for dimensioning, yes - it does not plot etc.,
but using it for something else may (or may not) cose some problems.
Even when person has good experience with CAD - it is always BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY. And this is the case.
Nobody ever sad that it is forbidden change linetype, color, to freeze or turn off, etc. layer "0", but common cense tells that it is not a very great idea. Same thing with DEFPOINT layer. As I staded before - this is just my opinion, nothing more and nothing less.

[Cap'n Mac]

Originally Posted by startrek

I don't think it is a good idea use defpoint layer for any thing

Well for those people struggling along on Versions earlier than 2000--it's their only non-plotting Layer. So, some of those folks must use it in ways that are anachronisitic to users with '05 or better.

(And the number of folk with R12, R14 & such are surprisingly legion.)

[schizoidman]

Originally Posted by startrek

>>>Cap'n Mac
With all do respect I am not gonna proof my "CAD competence", I don't think I need to.
Defpoint Layer - is used for dimensioning, yes - it does not plot etc.,
but using it for something else may (or may not) cose some problems.
Even when person has good experience with CAD - it is always BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY. And this is the case.
Nobody ever sad that it is forbidden change linetype, color, to freeze or turn off, etc. layer "0", but common cense tells that it is not a very great idea. Same thing with DEFPOINT layer. As I staded before - this is just my opinion, nothing more and nothing less.

I hate when people "force" a layer by changing the color. The engineers I distribute cad plans to hate it as well.

We at our architectual office have used defpoints for viewports and never had a problem with either pdf creation or anything else.

Why not dimension on a layer named "dims?"