Seeking Tips for Efficient Layer Management in AutoCAD - Emmanuel Katto Uganda

[emmanuelkatto]

Hello CAD Tutor Community,

 

My name is Emmanuel Katto. I am currently working on a project in AutoCAD and find myself struggling with layer management. As my drawings become more complex, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of my layers, especially when it comes to visibility and organization.

 

I have a few specific questions:

1. What are some best practices you recommend for creating and managing layers effectively in AutoCAD?
2. Do you have a preferred naming convention for layers that helps maintain clarity and organization?
3. How can I best utilize layer states to simplify my workflow, particularly when switching between different views or details in my drawings?

 

Any advice or tips you can share would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best,

Emmanuel Katto

[BIGAL]

Where I used to work it was about setting up a DWT, a master template, it had all our layers, linetypes, common blocks etc in one dwg. You can set the DWT to be the default used when you open CAD, OPTIONS, FILES, Template.

 

We used CIV3D so it had layers to match our survey coding and design, around 250 layers. Once a project was finished or nearly would do a purge of layers. 

 

Using layer names that make sense is a good idea, for our Survey layers they were all prefixed with "EX-" so it was obvious it was a on ground feature. From comments here most architectural projects use say "WALL-" "DOOR-" and so on describing an object by its layer.

 

A more advanced way is to draw object but on a predefined layer, this involves a lisp or menu command to set correct layer. In this image all objects are on correct layer without any user input, eg the walls are drawn using just that a "wall lisp" program. 

 

This is a pop menu option for doing mtext behind this the text get made on a predefined layer. Same for dimensions.

 

I will let some one else talk about layer filters and how to use but again a good DWT would be the starting point.

Edited September 13 by BIGAL

[SLW210]

Like BIGAL stated, names that make sense.

 

It really depends on what field of drafting you are working with. There are some specifications from different industries around, as well as what different government entities require usually AIA.

 

An example...https://facilities.duke.edu/sites/default/files/AIA CAD Layer Guidelines.pdf

 

From the UK...https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/guide-to-cad-layering-standards/

 

https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/consultants/images/12part8layering.pdf

 

I used to work where different clients had their own layer set, usually they would send a DWT with the titleblocks to be used, etc.

 

Mechanical details I just use sometimes Hardware for all bolts, nuts, purchased parts, depends on what the drawing was and descriptive for items to be made in the shop. like SS Spindle for a Stainless Steel Spindle, .25 Flat Bar, etc. or maybe just Stainless for all stainless items, really depends on the purpose of the drawing and often for my own, or next draftsman use.

 

There is a lot to be said for Layer States and their use on the Autodesk site.

I don't use them much in my current job, I do mostly company specific and would probably take more time setting them up.