Layer Name Standards

[atb1984]

Besides the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, what other standards are there for CAD layer formatting? Also, I've seen a demo of Autocad MEP 2010 which had a layer library included with the software. Does anyone know where the CAD Layers come from in 2010?

Thanks

[CADMASTER1128]

I believe the standards come from your firm. I use personal layers, despite what my instructor says.

[atb1984]

Thanks for the quick reply.

My company has no standards, I'm trying to convince them why they are important. I'd like to show them what is available as far as national standards go, as an example. I don't know of any besides the AIA CAD Layering Guidelines.

[CADMASTER1128]

Well, your lucky using 2004, the AIA standards are preloaded. I am using 2008 and I have to custom create the layers. ( I still use the AIA Layers)

[ReMark]

I'm guessing then your firm does architectural work right?

Your firm must also work with on projects with other firms from time to time right? Have you inquired with them if they are using a "set" standard (ex. - AIA) or if they are using an "in house" standard?

[ReMark]

I thought the AIA layer standards were only pre-loaded in AutoCAD Architecture. Did I miss something? The OP appears to be using vanilla 2004. Were AIA layer standards included? I'm guessing that they were not.

[CADMASTER1128]

I thought the AIA layer standards were only pre-loaded in AutoCAD Architecture. Did I miss something? The OP appears to be using vanilla 2004. Were AIA layer standards included? I'm guessing that they were not.

Well I don't know about Vanilla, but ADT does have them loaded.

[ReMark]

Other standards, besides the AIA, for CAD layering that I am aware of include, but are not limited to:

ISO/DIN 13567
National Institute of Building Sciences
Contruction Specifications Institute
Center for the Study of Architecture
Military (varies by branch I believe)

[atb1984]

Thanks for the replies.

I work for a Natural Gas company, my department does civil, electrical, and mechanical plans, elevations and details.

As far as what I mentioned about the layers included in AutoCAD MEP 2010:
Rather than placing objects on a specific layer, you set up "systems". For example, if I'm drawing natural gas above ground pipe, I'd set up a "system" for that and give it a name. Then when I draw using that system, it automatically assigns a layer to the objects in that system. The layers are obviously from some standard, but it didn't look like AIA standards, so I was wondering what it might be. With this feature I would not need to create a layer formatting system.

Also, there are no preloaded layers in my current version: Autodesk MAP 2004.

[ReMark]

Could you provide us with an example of a "system" layer name? Maybe someone will recognize the standard it is following.

[CADMASTER1128]

Other standards, besides the AIA, for CAD layering that I am aware of include, but are not limited to:

ISO/DIN 13567
National Institute of Building Sciences
Contruction Specifications Institute
Center for the Study of Architecture
Military (varies by branch I believe)

Where can you find these standards? Or are these given out once you at the firm that uses them?

[ReMark]

ISO 13567 can be had in a published form for which you must pay.

The CSA standard I found online.

I can't speak directly to the others.

If a firm is following a standard (external or internal) there will be someone within the company to disseminate the information to those who need it. That most likely would be up to the department head or the CAD manager.

[CADMASTER1128]

Thanks ReMark, That Is helpful info.

Thanks!

[atb1984]

I only got a quick look at the actual layer names, so I can't remember exactly what they were, but again, it didn't look like AIA. Looked like a different format.

If anyone is interested in this however, you can check out www.Avatech.com (http://www.Avatech.com) for free AutoCAD 2010 demos. They will do custom demos for your company if you contact them, all free.

Are those other standards you listed readily available?

[ReMark]

The CSA standards really have more to do with archeology than architecture. Here is a link:

http://www.csanet.org/inftech/csalnc.html

[ReMark]

Going to the NIBS website looking for standards one gets redirected to the National CAD Standards. Guess what? You got to purchase them (can be downloaded at a cost). Start with this link:

http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/ncs/

[ReMark]

CSI links to the NCS website as well. Looks like everyone wants to be on the same page so to speak.

[atb1984]

I assumed some of them would point back to NCS. Thanks though ReMark, this is a big help.

[ReMark]

The premise behind the ISO 13567 (International) standard is outlined here:

http://www.itcon.org/1997/2/paper.htm

[ReMark]

The Nevada Department of Transportation (non-architectural). There is a link to their 2000 CAD Standards Manual on this page:

http://www.nevadadot.com/business/contractor/caddinfo/CADDManuals.asp