How Do I Purge Non Purgeable Layers in AutoCAD?

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How Do I Purge Non Purgeable Layers in AutoCAD?

If you have been using AutoCAD for a while, you may have encountered the issue of non purgeable layers. These are layers that cannot be deleted or purged using the standard purge command in AutoCAD.

Non purgeable layers can quickly clutter your drawing and make it difficult to work with. In this tutorial, we will explore a few methods to help you effectively purge these non purgeable layers and keep your drawings clean and organized.

Method 1: Using the Layer Properties Manager

The Layer Properties Manager is a powerful tool in AutoCAD that allows you to manage and control the properties of your layers. It also provides an easy way to identify and delete non purgeable layers.

  1. Open the Layer Properties Manager by typing ‘LAYER’ in the command line or by clicking on the Layer Properties button on the Home tab of the ribbon.
  2. In the Layer Properties Manager, scroll through the list of layers and look for any layers that are marked as ‘non purgeable’.
  3. Select each non purgeable layer one by one and click on the ‘Delete’ button at the top of the dialog box to remove them from your drawing.

Note: Be cautious when deleting layers, as this action cannot be undone. Make sure to double-check that you are deleting only non essential or unwanted layers.

Method 2: Using the PURGE Command with ‘Redefine’ Option

The PURGE command is a handy tool in AutoCAD that allows you to remove unused objects from your drawings. However, it does not work directly on non purgeable layers. To overcome this limitation, we can use the ‘Redefine’ option of the PURGE command.

  1. Type ‘PURGE’ in the command line and press Enter.
  2. In the PURGE dialog box, click on the ‘Redefine’ button.
  3. In the Redefine dialog box, check the ‘Non-purgeable items’ checkbox and click on the ‘Purge’ button.

This will remove all non purgeable layers from your drawing. However, keep in mind that this method will also remove other non purgeable items such as blocks or linetypes that are not being used. Make sure to review the items to be purged before proceeding.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools

If you are still unable to purge non purgeable layers using the above methods, you can consider using third-party tools specifically designed for this purpose. These tools offer advanced features and functionalities beyond what AutoCAD provides natively.

Some popular third-party tools for purging non purgeable layers include Layer Tools, CADstudio Layer Manager, and AutoCAD Civil 3D Cleanup Utility. These tools can help you identify and delete non purgeable layers more efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion:

Purging non purgeable layers is essential to keep your AutoCAD drawings clean and organized. In this tutorial, we explored three methods to help you achieve this – using the Layer Properties Manager, utilizing the PURGE command with ‘Redefine’ option, and employing third-party tools. Remember to exercise caution when deleting layers or objects from your drawing and always make a backup before performing any purging operations.