Organizing layers, layer states manager

[vapross]

hello everybody! first of all special thanks to people who made this very helpful resource!
The question is about layering.we are a small architectural and now i'm trying to make some templates for everybody's use. at the moment we have a such type of organization:
1_site...5_light...9_layout...9_dimensioning...and the others. Plotsyles depend on layers' color(we don't use lineweight at all) autocad 2006 is used. i'm looking for a template that i could use in different phases of planning - for example - concept, site planning, structural, details, interiors. so i want to switch between different states of layers and take advantage of a few clicks.for example-a phase "interiors" is current - layers including stuff about "site" and "structural" are off. in a few words may i have any suggestions on this topic? maybe it'll be better not to use one template,but few ones..
P.S. i've looked through ADT a little bit but it's too complicated and expensive
waiting for answers))

[Opie]

You could use layer filters / layer groups to organize your layer selections a bit.

[vapross]

am i right layer state manager - it's a final step in organizing layers,so it consits of some layers' combinations - layer groups and layer settings and i could name some layer state and assign it to a certain project phase. i excuse if my questions are silly a bit.

[Opie]

I don't see why you couldn't create a layer state depicting a certain project phase. The Layer State Manager isn't going to know the difference. That is up to the user to decide.

[vapross]

I don't see why you couldn't create a layer state depicting a certain project phase. The Layer State Manager isn't going to know the difference. That is up to the user to decide.

the main thought is about the general approach - sorry if i didn't say it exactly - i think it's better to have a certain list of layers(not short of course)) that will prevent of casual appearing of new ones made by other users. cause an user doesn't need this huge list all the time - he can switch between the layer states, layer groups etc

[CADDmanVA]

What you basically need is a layering standard, and a way to manage it. Before my firm migrated to the National CAD Standard, I picked up a utility called AutoLayer. This manager had lists of layers which you could customize, and it would insert the layers as you needed them. The program is very reasonable for purchasing too (like $20 per person). You should give it a try.

[vapross]

thank you very much, it's pretty nice thing,this layer manager. gonna try it)

[CADDmanVA]

No prob. Glad I could help.

[archie.manza]

This is the same concept with the Layer State Manager. All you can do is just set-up a couple of .las and restore it. If you want a shortcut for this I will give the one that I am using.

(defun c:LS () (command "-LAYER" "A" "S" "Floor Finish Plan" "" "" ""))
(defun c:LD () (command "-LAYER" "A" "D" "Floor Finish Plan" "" ""))
(defun c:LR () (command "-LAYER" "A" "R" "Floor Finish Plan" "" ""))

Because we are doing INTERIORS we usually have a Floor Plan, Floor Finish Plan and RCP so what I did is I managed our Standard Layers and put them on a .las file so when they are swithcing on different plans all they had to do is click and restore.