Thursday

Layers 3

2 Comments Apr-17-2008 | Posted by Erhan Toker | Printable Version | Level |

To access the layer manager window, simply type ‘LAYER’ or ‘LA’ into the command line. For pop-up menu users, there is ‘Tools > Layers’ option and for toolbar users there is an icon in the most left of the layer toolbar. All opens the same window seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Filters can be formed in the left part of the window. Tha main part is designed for layer list and properties. The more layers are created the more the list gets complicated. Thus using the filters may become very useful. To understand filtering, please refer to relevant articles. Let us now examine the commands in the window (Figure 2).

Figure 2

To create a new layer, press the ‘New Layer’ button. Upon pressing the button, the last selected layer is copied with its properties and ready to be named (Figure 3).

Figure 3

If you do not want to copy any characteristic, select ‘0’ layer (considering you did not change anything for the layer ‘0’). This is a special layer which I will touch on later. For instance, names like ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ means nothing for the copy center staff even if you know everything about those layers. Moreover, you may be criticized.

Creating a layer with ‘New Layer VP Frozen in All Viewports’ option makes that layer frozen in all Layouts and Viewports. Even it is certain in which window a layer is on or off in a systematic office, it is not practical in most ways. It is usually the best way to arrange the layers in all viewports when the drawing is finished and ready to plot. We will touch on this subject at the end of this series of articles.

Existing layers can be erased by ‘Delete Layer’ option if they do not contain any objects. Yet, you can not delete ‘0’ and ‘Defpoints’ layers.

The working layer is selected by ‘Set Current’ option. The selected one should not be frozen. Apart from general menu, each layer has a small menu as well (Figure 4). Actually, it is not correct to name it ‘menu’.

Figure 4

There are icons and writings about the status of the layer along the line next to it. You can edit the related property by clicking it. Status icons work as a switch. For instance, yellow sun icon means the layer is thawed and grey sun means the layer is frozen. New windows may be appeared when properties are clicked. For example, linetype window comes up when linetype property is clicked (Figure 5).

Figure 5

Usage of layers is that easy. Create the layers one by one and start to use them.

There are usually layer standards in companies. You can add standard layers into a drawing template if you do not want to create layers again and again for each drawing. Copying layers from another drawing is another option. I am going to explain it later.

Related Articles:

• Layers [1][2]
• Linetype Scale
• Layer property filters in AutoCAD
• Hip tip: Organization of layers inside the blocks
• Hint: Use layers when modelling in 3D!
• AutoLISP application: LAY_DEL.LSP

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