Problem: Alphabetizing Layers in "Layer Prop" Dialog Box 4

[EngTech2]

Hey everyone,
New to EngTips - first post, so bear with me.
We are still running v14 and have a problem with the layer list in the "Layer & Linetype Properties" dialog box ("layer" command).

After inserting an x-ref into a drawing, the layers in the "Layer & Linetype Prop." dialog box come up scrambled—that is, not alphabetized. Doesn't happen with all drawings, so must have something to do with the contents of particular x-ref'd drawings that causes AutoCAD to forget how to order layers in the dialog box. Also happens with the "Layer" button in the "Modify Properties" (DDmodify) dialog box. I know you can alphabetize the contents of a dialog box column using the bar at the top of the column, but we're trying to minimize steps—this should happen automatically.

No one in our office has come up with a fix? Any of you guys have an idea what causes the scrambling of a dialog box or how to fix it so they automatically arrange themselves?

Thanks in advance,

EngTech2

 

[tigrek]

I tried all thinkables to get the layers scrambled - just does not happen.
no combination of system variables could make the layers scrambled: not VISRETAIN, XLOADCTL, INDEXCTL), no option in the File>Save As> dialog box, No option under Tools>Preferences> Performence Tab -->Ext. ref. file > Demand Load/Enabled.

Are you sure the layers are really scrambled?

 

[shadow]

I have had something similar happen to me
layers wouldnt rearange properly and there a few other quirky things i dont remeber off hand but give this a try

1st do you know anyone that has 2000 if so get them to run recover on one of your drawings then save back see what happens then if that doesnt help at all look at what you may have running in the background with autocad cause anything even the simplest programs have been known to cause problems here and there if a virus scanner is running disable it they will cause a lot of problems

now after that try creating a new drawing see how the layers in it reacts then if still a problem i can suggest a few other things but try all of these first if everyone helps everybody the world will be a better place

 

[Striker]

The culprit is the maxsort variable, when the number of layers (or other list data) exceeds the number represented by MAXSORT (default is 200) then the layers (or list) will not show in alphabetical order.

 

[tigrek]

Thanks Striker
MAXSORT it is!! I just cheked out.
When number of something in a dialogbox listing exceeds MAXSORT value, they are not sorted - appear in the order of creation - like layer 100something follows 99something.
Goes for block names, layer names, maybe linetypes and other such symbol names too.

Striker really earned this star. Here it is.

 

[shadow]

hey yea i seem to remeber now cause the instance i ran into that problem i also had an issue with more than 16 viewports not showing the contents and yea maxsort did it as well hey some one outta make a lisp/vba routine that ups the maxsort by a specific increment if everyone helps everybody the world will be a better place

 

[shadow]

scratch what i said befor i ment MAXACTVP
but maxsort did aleviate the other problem if everyone helps everybody the world will be a better place

 

[EngTech2]

Hey, you guys are great! Maxsort worked! As our files grew, the alphabetizing layer thing became a problem. Increasing Maxsort did the trick. Patrick says he owe somebody lunch! Thanks a bunch to all.

EngTech2