Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number:  670

How to Lock a Single Wall so that it Cannot be Selected

The information in this article applies to:
  • Chief Architect X5
  • Chief Architect X4
  • Chief Architect X3
  • Chief Architect X2
  • Chief Architect X1
QUESTION

I would like to lock one single wall in my plan so that it cannot be moved, but not affect any other walls in doing so. How can I accomplish this task?

ANSWER

A single wall can be quickly and easily locked by assigning it to a unique layer, and then locking that layer.


To lock an individual wall

  1. Open a drawing in which you would like to lock a single wall.


  2. Select a wall using the Select Objects  tool, and click the Open Object  edit button to open the Wall Specification dialog.


  3. Select the Layer tab. Notice the layer that the selected wall is placed on by default, and then click the Define button to open the Layer Display Options dialog.




  4. The "Walls, Normal" layer should be selected by default. Click the Copy button near the bottom left corner of the dialog to open the New Layer Name dialog and create a new layer with a name of your choice.


  5. Type a name for the new layer, such as "Walls, Locked", and click the OK button.


  6. Notice that Walls, Locked has been added to the list  in the Layer Display Options dialog and is highlighted. Click one time in the Lock column to lock this layer. Locked layers are indicated by a yellow padlock symbol in the Lock column.




  7. Click the OK button to close the Layer Display Options dialog and return to the Layer tab of the Wall Specification dialog. The selected wall is now on the "Walls, Locked" layer.  

    • If it is not on the "Walls, Locked" layer, click the drop-down arrow and select "Walls, Locked" from the list. Click the OK button to close the dialog and return to floor plan view.


  8. In floor plan view, the wall's appearance will be unchanged but you can no longer select, move, or alter the wall in any way.


  9. To make changes to the wall, you will first need to unlock the layer it is on:

    • Select Tools> Display Settings> Display Options  to open the Layer Display Options dialog. 

    • Remove the yellow padlock in the Lock column for "Walls, Locked".

    • Click the OK button to close the dialog. The wall and any other objects on this layer are now unlocked and can be edited as needed.


MORE INFORMATION

When you lock a wall, you will not be able to select it to move or otherwise edit it. However, there are still some cases where moving or creating a new wall that is joined to a locked wall will cause the locked wall to move, so you should always verify your wall dimensions are accurate in your final plan.


Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013


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