Layers from csv

AFAIK, if you have a template file with these Layers, you could open both files and select and drag multiple Layers over in Drawing Explorer. I do not know any other way to import Layers. Which doesn't necessarily mean that there is no way.

If not, a workaround could be any other importable App file format, which may offer CSV imports or similar bulk editing. Like IFC (?)

(As I experienced, it would not work from Vectorworks by exporting a DWG, as VW will only write Layers in use to DWG. You would need to add objects to any empty Class in VW before or similar)

If you write a CSV file from Excel its a simple task to make the layer reading the csv file.

Eg

layername,color,linetype

layername,color,linetype

layername,color,linetype

Do you know how to read a csv via lisp ?

if you use lisp see attached lisp and xlsx file sample.

(save the .xlsx file as csv, for some reason the forum don't allow share csv files)

.

aridzv.

@Balu

I wrote this thanks to PyRx in Python, since I am not clever enough to learn Lisp. Maybe it is of use to you:

import traceback
from pyrx_imp import Rx, Ge, Gi, Db, Ap, Ed, Cv
    
import pandas as pd
    
print("added command - py_layerimport")
print("added command - py_layerexport")
    
def updateLayers(db, layers):
    layerMap = {}
    clr = Db.Color()
    lt = Db.LayerTable(db.layerTableId())
    for layer in layers:
        if lt.has(layer[0]):
            ltrid = lt.getAt(layer[0])
            ltr = Db.LayerTableRecord(ltrid,Db.OpenMode.kForWrite)
            clr.setColorIndex(layer[1])
            ltr.setColor(clr)
        else:
            lt.upgradeOpen()
            ltr = Db.LayerTableRecord()
            ltr.setName(layer[0])
            clr.setColorIndex(layer[1])
            ltr.setColor(clr)
            layerMap[layer[0]] = lt.add(ltr)
            lt.downgradeOpen()
    return layerMap
    
def PyRxCmd_py_layerexport() -> None:
    try:
        path = Ed.Core.getFileD("Enter file name for storing layer table", "mylayerfile.xlsx", "xlsx", 32)
        db = Db.curDb()
        lt = Db.LayerTable(db.layerTableId(), Db.OpenMode.kForRead)
        if not lt.hasFields:
            return
    
        layerTable = {
            "Name": [],
            "Color": [],
            "LineType": [],
            "LineWeight": [],
        }
    
        for record in lt.recordIds():
            ltr = Db.LayerTableRecord(record)
            layerTable["Name"].append(ltr.name())
            layerTable["Color"].append(ltr.color().colorIndex())
            layerTable["LineType"].append(ltr.linetypeObjectId().handle())
            layerTable["LineWeight"].append(ltr.lineWeight())
    
        df = pd.DataFrame(layerTable)
        with pd.ExcelWriter(path, engine="openpyxl") as writer:
            df.to_excel(writer, sheet_name="Layers", index=False)
    
    except Exception as err:
        traceback.print_exception(err)
    
def PyRxCmd_py_layerimport() -> None:
    try:
        path = Ed.Core.getFileD("Enter file name for storing layer table", "mylayerfile.xlsx", "xlsx", 32)
        db = Db.curDb()
    
        try:
            df = pd.read_excel(path, sheet_name="Layers")
        except:
            print("\nCould not read source file")
            return
        layerMap = updateLayers(db, df.values.tolist())
    
    except Exception as err:
        traceback.print_exception(err)

Here is an updated lisp and xlsx table (convert to csv after download).

1. the table has an header row to make it more readble.
2. The table must have at least one column for layer name
3. the table has a column for color number - must be a valid number up to 255. if ommited, above 255, not an integer or text it will set to 7 (white)
4. the table has a column for line type - must be a valid line type name. if ommited or has an invalid name the linetype will be set to "Continuous".
   layfcsv2.lsp

   Uploaded Apr 4, 20252 KB
   it will set to "Continuous".
   lay.xlsx

   Uploaded Apr 4, 20259.95 KB

I took @ALANH challenge and completed the missing code to create the layers from the Excel file.

Warning/comment:
when all is done,the excel file and cad software are closed,
the "Microsoft Excel" process still exists in the background processes (can be seen in task manager).
I noticed this when I restarted my computer and got a message that Excel was running in the background.

other then that the lisp works.
aridzv.