Layer Isolate Locking layers instead of turning off

December 7, 2020 Ryan Wunderlich

Many users are sometimes confused about the layer isolate (LAYISO) command.

The default settings with the software when isolating a layer is to isolate a layer(s) and cause all the other layers become faded and locked rather than turning off.  If you want to configure the settings so that the unisolated layers are turned off rather than faded and locked follow these steps:

  1. Begin the LAYISO command.
  2. Before you click anything look at the command line. The red box shows you what the current settings are:
    To Lock and Fade Layers:

    To Hide (turn off layers):
  3. Select the “Settings” option.  You can Click on Settings or type in S and hit Enter.
  4. By default the “Lock and fade” options is set.  Select the “Off” setting.
  5. The last option to go through is to either turn off layers in a Viewport or Freeze them in the Viewport (I generally use Vpfreeze – so that I’m freezing the layers in the Viewport only)
  6. Continue to use the command as you normally would.  Your unisolated layers will now be turned off, instead of locked and faded.

As a point of note, this is NOT controlled by any system variables, so you have to do this process once to set it.

About the Author

Ryan Wunderlich

Sr. Technical Support Specialist<br><br>An AutoCAD Certified Professional, Ryan is responsible for taking client cases and assisting with issues with the software - everything from regular glitches to software deployments and whatever else goes wrong. He's proficient in AutoCAD (including customization), VBA, LISP, and Civil 3D.

Follow on Linkedin More Content by Ryan Wunderlich
Previous Article
Civil 3D 2020.4 DraftingBuffer You Cannot select the command in the command line
Civil 3D 2020.4 DraftingBuffer You Cannot select the command in the command line

This is a known issue with non-English versions of Civil 3D 2020.4.

Next Article
Civil 3D 2021 Project Explorer Releasing a Network License
Civil 3D 2021 Project Explorer Releasing a Network License

Civil 3D 2021 Project Explorer takes the AEC Collection License in the Network Environment. Can you release...

Need tech support? Let us help!

Learn More