Group layering

[kschu]

It would be nice to be able to group layers as one set on either a temporary or permenant basis. To be able to subset a group of layers dealing with common areas such as piping, civil, electrical, etc. that might be on a drawing. Much like the idea of layering found on xrefs only to be able to custom control indivdual layer groupings.

Ken

[Glenn Pope]

This is already done in 2005.

[revacservice]

A method I use to group layers is to assign a number prefix as follows, the numbering dose not indicate any measure of importance just a practical solution.

9 - Architectual details that can not be modified eq lift shafts etc
8 - Architectual details that can be modified eg partitions
7 - Structural information, beams etc
6 - Hydraulic Services
5 - Fire Services
4 - Electrical Services
3 - Spare
2 - Existing Mechanical Services retained
1 - New Mechanical Services
0 - Existing services to be removed and notes relating to the installation works but not required for as installed.

The drawing file is issued to the designer and all layers with a 0 and 1 prefix are empty.
The file is modified to indicate new works, and passed to the installing contractor. On compleation of the works the drawing is passed back to the client as a record of the works compleated. To update the drawing to reflect the entire installation all information on layers with a 0 prefix is deleated as it is no longer relevant. Information on layer 1duct transferd to 2duct, 1 pipe to 2pipe etc. All colours and line types are by layer, blocks created on layer 0 so as the entities are updated transfered between layers maintaining differentation between existing and new works.

I use this system to maintain the mechanical services records for a 44 story office building and by and large works quite well, untill some clown uses a third party add-in or delets all information he is not concerned with resulting in fragmented drawings covering the level, it's a real pain to pull it all back together.

This system can be modified to group layers which are active in differant viewports when drawing a plant room requireing a high level and low level plans and a third view indicating plinth layouts.

Hope this is of interest.

Don Smith

[jpaulsen]

This can be accomplished with layer names and layer filters.