The Layer Isolate feature has been around since at least the Bonus collection back in R14. In AutoCAD 2008 they kick it up a notch by adding a Settings feature whereby you can opt to either turn Off the layers you don’t select to isolate, or Lock them … which kicks in the new A2008 Fade control feature.

Here’s the new prompt sequence with a running commentary…

LAYISO

Current setting: Hide layers, Viewports=Off

In the past, any layer not selected to isolate was, by default, turned Off.

Select objects on the layer(s) to be isolated or [Settings]: S

Enter S to launch Settings.

Enter setting for layers not isolated [Off/Lock and fade] <Off>: L

You now have the option of Lock and fade; enter L for that option.

Enter fade value (0-90) <60>: [Enter]

The default of the fade percentage is 60% which should be just fine.

In the figures, the furniture and text were selected to isolate, resulting in the building features to be faded. A lock icon indicates the locked layer when the cursor rolls across a locked layer.

Thank you for sharing Michael!
Check out Michael's website for more great tips and tricks and resources.
http://autocadtrainerguy.com/

If you have a tip you want to share with other readers of this Between the Lines blog, please email them to me. BY the way this tip also applies to the soon to be released AutoCAD 2009.

-Shaan