Is there a way to isolate an object and hide everything else in BricsCAD?
Short Answer
Yes — in BricsCAD, you can isolate an object and hide everything else by using the ISOLATEOBJECTS command, which is the fastest and most common professional method. Select the objects you want to keep visible, run the command, and BricsCAD hides the rest temporarily. Limitation: this is a display workflow, not a permanent layer change.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: Object isolation can be confusing in shared drawings because hidden objects are still present and can affect snaps, plotting expectations, or later editing if someone forgets isolation is active. In xref-heavy files, users also often mistake hidden host objects for unloaded references.
How to Isolate an Object and Hide Everything Else in BricsCAD
Command: ISOLATEOBJECTS
Shortcut: No default shortcut in many profiles
Quick Steps:
- Select the object or objects you want to keep visible in the drawing area, then right-click and choose Isolate > Isolate Objects if available, or type ISOLATEOBJECTS on the command line.
- Press Enter to confirm the selection set.
- Continue working with only those objects visible; when finished, restore everything with UNISOLATEOBJECTS.
Variables & Settings
Key Setting: Isolate Objects / Hide Objects access from the right-click menu
Expert Setting: If you preselect objects before launching ISOLATEOBJECTS, the workflow is faster and more reliable in production drafting. Using the right-click Isolate option is often quicker than typing the command repeatedly during review or editing sessions.
Why it Fails
Cause 1 (Geometry): The object you want may be inside a block or xref, so isolating the parent reference may not isolate the nested element the way you expect.
Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Objects on locked layers or in externally referenced files may not behave as expected during isolate/hide workflows, especially if layer state controls are also in use.
Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users often run HIDEOBJECTS instead of ISOLATEOBJECTS, which hides the selected objects rather than everything else.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
Quick Fix: If objects seem to disappear incorrectly, run UNISOLATEOBJECTS first, then preselect the correct objects and rerun ISOLATEOBJECTS.
Manager’s Verdict: Use object isolation for fast editing, clash review, and visual cleanup during live work. Avoid relying on it for deliverables or team coordination; for repeatable visibility control, use layers or saved layer states instead.
FAQ
How do I show everything again in BricsCAD?
Use UNISOLATEOBJECTS to restore all hidden objects.
Can I hide selected objects instead of isolating them?
Yes, use HIDEOBJECTS to hide only the selected objects.
Does object isolation permanently change the drawing?
No, it is a temporary visibility tool unless you manually change layers or properties.
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