Layers

[logarch]

Hello,

This is my first post here. I've been trying to learn Autocad by myself and don't have anybody to ask a question, that is till I found this site.

I've started a drawing using Architectural Desktop of a small home floor plan. I've got the walls and cabinets drawn. I would like to have two layers at this point, a wall layer and a cabinet layer. I've noticed that I have a total of 34 layers in this drawing. I have only manually created two of them. 25 of the layers are in use and most of them cannot be deleted. At this point I am not sure how I ended up with so many layers. The visible information is shown on the two layers walls and floor plans.

How do I simplify this? There is a little information that is drawn on the wrong layer. I want to move it to one of the other layer and I also want to get rid of as many of the other layers as possible.

Thanks,

David

[f700es]

Hello logarch, ADT (arch. desktop) creates it's own layers when you use the design elements (walls, doors and such). You are using them and therefor cannot erase them.

[logarch]

f700es, from what you say all the layers are normal and necessary and I will have to learn to live with it, but I wonder if there is a way that can make it simpler, perhaps so that some of the used layers would not show in the list.

Also, what is the best way to move information from one layer to another?

Thanks for your response.

David

[vrichard]

Hi there logarch,

If you want to move elements of your drawimg onto a new layer just select the lines etc you want to move then click on the drop down button for your layers and click on the layer you want them to be on.

You can also use the match properties little paint brush button. Just click on a line etc that is already on the desired layer then click on a line that you want to be on that layer. This is one of my favourite buttons!!

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers

Vics

[f700es]

f700es, from what you say all the layers are normal and necessary and I will have to learn to live with it, but I wonder if there is a way that can make it simpler, perhaps so that some of the used layers would not show in the list.

Also, what is the best way to move information from one layer to another?

Thanks for your response.

David

Hey David, not sure on how to make it simplier. I too do not like the massive amounts of layers that ADT forces you to use.

Vics has it right on moving items from one layer to another.

[logarch]

Thanks Vrichard and F7

I will definitely use the little paint brush to move items. This is a tool I did not know existed and I also understand now how to select and change layer to move items.

I have come up with a solution about layers and will see how it works. In the layer manage the new grop filter creates another branch on the tree. I dragged the layers I want to see over to the new filter. When this filter is selected, only the layers you want show up in the scroll down menu.

Thanks for your help. I am sure I will be needing lots in the future.

David

[fuccaro]

Myself I use often the MACHPROPERTIES brush to change the objects layer. But I also try from start to create the objects on the right layer.

[a1harps]

Logarch,
I will take a risk here since I am unfamiliar ADT. Since you said you are
just starting out you may be unaware of the "Change Properties" command dialouge box or command. With this you can change individual
traits or attributes of objects such as layer,color etc. With Matchproperties
(paint brush) you are able to quickly give an object all the attributes of
another object or select only the ones you want. I think the real difference between the two commands (besides the speed of Matchprop.)
is that the change properties diolouge box contains more information
about selected objects than you will find in the "Match Properties" box
for individuall selection. Also dont forget that the built in "Help" sections
of these programs can really aid in figureing out how to use new commands and functions and also read the command prompt carefully
as that contains essentiall info.
Frank

[kakalechien]

a really good way to clean up those useless layers...the ones with absolutely nothing on them...they usually come in a template is to export the drawing...

this is not the same as purging...you need to go to file and select export and select block (dwg) in the drop down box at the bottom and rename your file (I usually add the word export to the end of the existing name) and follow the command prompts...the drawing will disappear but you can undo and get it back...

save your original drawing after you have brought it back and then open the export version...you will find all the layers you didn't want are gone!

this has been my first post...hope it makes sense

[CADTutor]

Good tip kakalechien - thanks for that and welcome to the forum .

I guess it's basically the same method as creating a WBLOCK (World Block) from your drawing. Only selected objects will be used to create the new drawing and layers with nothing on them will be discarded.