From the course: AutoCAD for Mac 2020 Essential Training

Layer basics - AutoCAD for Mac Tutorial

From the course: AutoCAD for Mac 2020 Essential Training

Start my 1-month free trial

Layer basics

“

- [Instructor] Now that we are familiar with creating and editing your geometry, we need to make sure that we get organized before we create anything terribly complicated. To help us stay organized, AutoCAD for Mac uses a layering system. Using layers, we can assign line weights, line types, color, transparency, and plot weights. We can set walls to print at a certain thickness and display the same color with doors and windows displaying different colors so they're readily identifiable. We can also group hardware objects, like nuts and screws, as well as setting hidden and center lines to print thin. Editing can also be easier by isolating certain areas you want to focus on or locking others so they can't be accidentally modified. The easiest way to visualize layers is to think of an old transparency projector usually found in schools. The instructor would have clear plastic sheets with text and shapes on them and could overlay them on top of each other, each one containing more information to create the final image or chart. Most organizations have a standard layering scheme, which gives all drawings a consistent look and makes working on multiple projects simpler since you know what to expect and look for. After some time working in a layering standard, you start to identify the colors of your layers and associate them with line weights and object types. All drawings, by default, come with a layer called layer zero. This layer is a special layer with some unique properties, including the fact that it can never be renamed or deleted. We'll talk more about another special feature about layer zero when we talk about creating blocks in a future video. Another layer that may appear is def points. Def points is a system layer created while creating dimensions. This layer can be made current, and objects can be drawn on it; but this layer can never be plotted, nor can it be deleted. I recommend never setting def points to the current layer so you never accidentally create any objects on it. Some organizations publish layer standards for use across industries, like the American Institute of Architects National CAD Standards. I recommend looking at them as a reference; but, depending on your work, they may be a bit overkill. Many companies develop a layer standard early on to avoid problems later. So, if you are working for a firm, I would check with your CAD manager to see if one is in place. If not, just try to be logical and separate your objects into layers that will help you later in your drawing. You may not be able to think of every future scenario, but try to cover as many of your object types as you can. Layers can be a bit of a headache; but if planned and implemented properly, it can save a lot more headache down the road, as well as being incredibly useful.

Contents