AutoCAD – Setting Layers to Default based on Command using System Variables

In AutoCAD, you can automatically set specific layers when using certain commands (like HATCH, DIMENSION, TEXT, etc), by configuring system variables. Let’s have a look at how to do this:

• Open AutoCAD. We are not going to create Layers (this is never advisable but only for what I am about to show can we do this!).

Bonus Tip: Did you know when you create a list of layers, click new layer, type the name and type a comma after then press enter to allow for another layer creation. When you have what you need on the last entry, enter to stop automate layer creation.

• In the CLI (Command Line Interface) or in the Display area type:

TEXTLAYER

DIMLAYER

HPLAYER

CENTERLAYER

• With Layer 0 current, start the text command and type some text on the text layer, created by AutoCAD from our prompt above in step 2 (this does not make the text layer current). We will need to assign a colour.

• If we had created a layer for text, named it text, assigned a colour before step 2, any text placed after step 2, would be places on this layer with the colour.

• With Layer 0 current, start the Dimension command and add a Dimension on the Dims Layer, created by AutoCAD from our prompt above in step 2 (this does not make the text layer current). We will need to assign a colour.

• If we had created a Layer for Dimensions, name it Dims, assigned a colour before step 2, any dimension places after step 2, would be placed on this layer with the colour.

• With Layer 0 current, start the Hatch command and add Hatch.

• With Layer 0 current, start the CentreLine command and add a centre line.

And this is the only time we do not have to create layers, when using system variables.