Save, restore, and import layer settings using layer states. Add layers, remove layers, and change layer settings within a layer state.
Use the Layer States Manager to work with layer states.
- Click

- In the Layer State drop-down list, click Manage Layer States.
NOTE:The Layer States Manager is also accessible from the Layer Properties Manager.
Save Layer Settings to a Layer State
To include the viewport overrides in the layer state, double-click in a layout viewport to make it current before opening the Layer States Manager.
- Click New.
- In the New Layer State to Save dialog box, enter a name for the new layer state, or choose a name from the list. You can also add a description. Click OK.
- Click Close.
NOTE:The Save button in the Layer States Manager is used only when you want to overwrite the selected layer state with the current layer settings.
Restore Layer Settings from a Layer State
- Click a layer state.
- Click expand
and choose the layer properties and settings to restore. - Select from the Restore options:
- Turn off layers not found in layer state. The intent is to preserve the visual appearance of the drawing at the time that the layer state was saved.
- Apply properties as viewport overrides. If a layout viewport is active, the layer properties are applied as viewport overrides to the current layout viewport.
- Click Restore.
NOTE:The layer that was current when the layer state was saved is made current. If that layer no longer exists, the current layer does not change.
Add Layers to a Layer State
If you create layers after creating the layer state, you may want to add those layers to the layer state.
- Click the layer state to which you want to add layers, and click Edit.
- In the Edit Layer State dialog box, click Add.
- In the Select Layers to Add to Layer State dialog box, click the layers that you want to add. Click OK.
- Click Close.
Remove a Layer from a Layer State
- Click the layer state from which you want to remove a layer, and click Edit.
- In the Edit Layer State dialog box dialog box, click the layers that you want to remove.
- Click Remove.
- Click OK.
- Click Close.
Change Layer Settings Within a Layer State
- Click the layer state you want to change the layer settings for, and click Edit.
- In the Edit Layer State dialog box, change the individual layer settings, and click OK.
- Click Close.
Export a Layer State
- Click the layer state that you want to export, and click Export.
- In the Export Layer State dialog box, specify a destination folder for the layer state LAS file, and click Save.
Import Layer Settings from a Layer State (LAS) File
- Click Import.
- In the Import Layer State dialog box, open the LAS file that you want to use.
- Select to close the dialog box or restore one of the layer states.
NOTE: If a layer state is imported from an LAS file that contains linetype or plot style properties that do not exist in the drawing, a message notifies you that the property could not be restored. The message reports only the first such property that is encountered.
Import Saved Layer Settings from Another Drawing
- Click Import.
- In the Import Layer State dialog box, open a .dwg, .dws, or .dwt file.
- In the Select Layer States dialog box, choose the layer states to import, and click OK.
NOTE: When a layer state is imported from a drawing, layer properties such as a linetype or plot style that are not available in the current drawing, are imported from the source drawing.