CADDManager on June 9th, 2006

Even the most developed layer standard will have missing layers because each project may call for something special. When this happens, you should have general guidelines for creating layers as needed.

Include in your CAD Standard a model for creating layers. The NCS has a great one that reflects the AIA layer guideline.

Your standard may need to go beyond an AIA style, to the “concepts” of layer creation.

Here are a few conceptual ideas you may want to consider outlining in your standard…

1. Use the shortest layer name you can get away with. Use A-WALL and not A-WALL-EXT if the shorter one will work.

2. Only breakdown layer names if you have to turn off one layer and keep another on or change linetype, color or pen weight.

3. Only abbreviate words in layer names that make sense. If you are using AIA style layers and want to shorten the layer name to 4 characters, then make sure it can be deciphered. If you are not using AIA, then you may not have to abbreviate at all.

4. Group layers under the same main area. If you are drawing something for the Ceiling the AIA guideline shows

A-CLNG-ACCS
A-CLNG-GRID
A-CLNG-OPEN
A-CLNG-PATT
A-CLNG-SUSP
A-CLNG-TEES

If you need to break out another Ceiling layer start it with A-CLNG-????

One Response to “Layer Standard Concepts”

  1. I have devised a layer system of the same principle. It was in alpha numeric format that basically divided into 4 main parts. 1st part is the numeric code, 2nd is the main descriptive, 3rd is the minor descriptive and 4th is the flexible description. Example is 21-wall, 21-wall-brick, 21-wall-brick-low and so on and so forth. We only allow for the contolled flexibility on the 3rd and 4th element.

    New to your Blog. I find it very helpful. I am an Architect with second function as Cad Supervisor. I am trying to learn as much as I can. Your blog certainly gives me a lot of ideas.

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