Layers

Layers allow you to organize objects for display according to specific criteria. They are similar to the features in CAD programs that allow you to show or hide individual planes in a drawing. Objects that can be managed in layers include not only model objects, such as nodes and members, but also guide objects, such as dimensions or comments.

Specific display properties can be assigned to each layer using color and line style. Layers can also be locked to prevent objects from being accidentally moved or deleted.

Layer for Objects of Staircase Tower with Detached Building

Layer Manager

Layers are managed in the Layer Manager. There, you can create new layers, turn the layer visibility on and off, or lock a layer to prevent editing.

Use one of the following methods to open the Layer Manager:

• In the Navigator – Data, double-click an entry in the Guide Objects → Layers category.
• Click the button in the toolbar.
• Use the View → Layer Manager menu.

Layer Manager

Usually, only the “All Layers” entry is available in the Navigator. If you have created layer groups, they will be displayed as well. You can manage layers specifically using the subentries: The table only lists the layers from the selected layer group.

Table

The table provides a summary of all layers and also includes options for controlling their display. The individual columns mean:

Buttons

The buttons in the Layer Manager toolbar have the following functions:

Button	Feature
	Create a new layer group (see the chapter Layer Groups)
	Rename the selected layer group
	Delete the selected layer group
	Delete all layer groups
	Create a new layer
	Set the selected entry as the current layer (alternative: click in the “Current” column)
	Delete the selected layer
	Delete all layers
	Activate visibility for all layers
	Hide all layers
	Lock all layers (objects cannot be edited)
	Unlock all layers
	Display the objects selected in the table as a selection in the graphic
	Display the objects selected in the graphic as a highlighted selection in the table
	Display invisible objects as transparent or not at all
	Display the objects in the colors of the layers (see the section Rendering)

Assigning Objects to Layer

To manage objects in layers, follow these steps:

1. In the Layer Manager, use the button to create one or more layers.
2. Enter appropriate names and check the default settings, such as color or line style.
3. In the work window, select the objects you want to assign to a layer.
4. In the toolbar, select the relevant layer from the list. You can also specify the layer in the Object Properties panel.

Assigning Objects to Layer

The assigned objects are indicated in the Layer Manager with symbols for nodes, members, dimension lines, and so on (see the image Layer Manager).

New objects are always assigned to the current layer. This layer is marked with the icon in the Layer Manager.

Toolbar

The toolbar in the work window provides several setting options for layers.

Toolbar with Functions for Layers

The text box shows the current layer. You can select a different layer from the list and set it as the current layer. The change is synchronized with the Layer Manager: This layer is marked with the icon .

As described above, you can select objects and assign them to a specific layer using the list. The icons next to the layer name show whether the current layer is visible or locked.

The buttons have the following functions:

Button	Feature
	Show or hide the selected layer
	Lock or unlock the selected layer
	Jump to the row of the selected layer in the Layer Manager for adjustments

Rendering

A color is automatically assigned to each layer. However, you can also customize the colors:

1. Double-click a color in the table of the Layer Manager.
2. Select the desired color in the Select Layer Color dialog box.

Specifying Layer Color

To display objects in their layer colors, you need to configure the display settings accordingly. There are two ways to enable these colors:

• Layer Manager button in the toolbar for displaying objects in material or layer colors
• Navigator – Display: Category Colors of Rendered Objects by → Layers

Displaying Objects in Layer Colors

In the control panel, you can check the colors assigned to the objects in each visible layer.