Kean Walmsley & Scott Sheppard announced a free plugin that most AutoCAD users working with layers could really use and that is to DrawOrder By Layer.

To explain the plugin simply, it places the layers in their top to bottom order based on their layer and the order you select. This is perfect for easily setting what object to plot or display on top of other layers.

Brief install instructions

Download the plugin, install per readme on AutoCAD 2007 and later releases and based applications including 64 bit versions from:
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/ADN_plugins/catalog/

Extract the downloaded Zip file. I use a Download directory and organize downloads there personally. After extracting read the text file for all the details on the plugin.

Copy the file ADNPlugin-DrawOrderByLayer.dll to a directory support path for AutoCAD or just under the AutoCAD root directory. A nice organized yet optional be to create a directory under the AutoCAD folder named plugins. Now make sure in AutoCAD the path to plugins is now added so AutoCAD can find it easily.

Launch AutoCAD and run the NETSTAT command to load the .Net based plugin.

Now use the magic command DOBYLAY.

I have a drawing of circles each assigned to a separate layer for the purpose of a simple example of moving layers in the draw order.

Now I run the DOBYLAY command and get the DrawOrder by Layer dialog of the plugin.

Select by check box the layer/s you want to move up or down the draw order. In this example I want to move the layer named Red to the top. I check the layer named Red then using the button all the way to the left with an arrow icon up and select it and repeat until the layer is at the draw order I want.

I can repeat with the red layer to the top.

Or perhaps the green if I have a hard time making up my mind. I could also move other layers down as well or even by Ascending so they flow down in draw order by alphanumerical order.

When using this plugin you should thank longtime AutoCAD 3rd party developer Terry Dotson of Dotsoft for donating the plugin, and the source.

ADN plugins for Autodesk products are available each month, check them out! on Autodesk Labs http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/adn_plugins/. There is also a QR codes plugin from last month if you want to generate those techie QR code images. In November there was the long awaited ScriptPro 2.0 posted for batch processing commands.

As with all Autodesk Labs provided plugins, utilities, and applications please provide your feedback on them. Some may never make it into a final shipping product without your feedback.

Cheers,
Shaan

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