Layer Combination Update Tip

[James Murray]

Because updating layer combinations needs every tip it can get.

You know the drill. Create a layer and then update each LC one at a time: Choose the LC, set the lock and eye right, click update, choose next LC. Round and round. It's worse if the new layer is below the "page break" in the layer list and you have to scroll down to bring it into view. I habitually flick the scroll wheel to bring the layer name up, but not precisely, so it shows up somewhere in the middle of the list. Then when you switch LCs again, the layer list resets to the top, and you have to scroll again.

Here's the tip. If the highlighted layer is positioned at the very bottom of the layer list, it will stay put when you switch LCs. No further scrolling needed.

It's the little things. In the layer dialog, it better be.

[Link]

Hey James,

I'd just like to add to this tip if you don't mind. I often see people taking far too long updating their layer combinations. Let's take a case when you create say 5 new layers and want to update say half a dozen layer combinations to make these layers visible in each. There is no need to reselect the layers each time you update the layer combo. They will *all* stay selected no matter where they appear in the list, so all you need to do is go to each layer combo, make sure the selected layers are visible (a simple double click on the eyeball will take care of that), and hit update each time.

Quick and fast. You're so right - it's the little things that add up and make users fast and efficient.

Cheers mate,
Link.

[Steve Jepson]

speaking of updating layers... a very important tool for me is the Quick Layers tool. Why is it not available when PlotMaker is open? I need it!

When I open a layout book, select a drawing, select "open file with ArchiCAD" so I can verify the updates back and forth it disables the Quick Layers tool.

Apparently the Quick Layers tool is not available in PlotMaker, or in ArchiCAD when PlotMaker is open. Bummer! I need good layer controls in PlotMaker too.

[Steve Jepson]

Another thought about layers. In the past I used layer combinations all the time, however, now that we have view sets I don't seem to be using them at all. I control the layers I want to see with the Quick Layers tool and save it as a view set. Every time I go back to the view set it shows the drawing the way I want to see it. I think the view set includes the layer combinations being used so there is no reason to make layer combinations. Is that right? I am just starting to use view sets.

[Link]

Well not quite Steve, it's best to assign a layer combination to your saved view, otherwise it just shows up as 'custom'. If they are all custom, it becomes confusing as to what is actually locked/unlocked, visible/hidden, wireframe/solid and what the layer intersection priority numbers of each layer are for each view. If you assign a layer combo, it is not only easy to tell what is assigned, and the status of each individual layer, but it is also much easier to update later, if needed.

I also match my display option name to my layer combo to make those just as easy: http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/TiponCombiningLayerCombosandDisplayOptions.htm...

Cheers,
Link.

[Anonymous]

to add to link's comment, I've had someone here in our office that has been trying the viewset method instead of the layer combo, and he's the only one who has had the mysterious problem of viewsets "forgetting" what lyers should be showing up... the viewset shows nothing where it usually list the layer combo name or the word 'custom' and nothing shows up on screen.

when he asked me about it a few weeks back, I told him that may be the problem, and he hasn't come back with the problem again...

also, if you just use 'custom' in your viewset, what would you do if you have 12 floors or different views that all need to use the power layer combo, and then you need to add a new layer to what should be showing up? with the layer combo, you make the change once, and all the viewsets referring to it update what shows. otherwise, you have to redefine each view, right?

hth
wes

[Steve Jepson]

thanks for the good info about view sets. I think I have been getting away with using viewsets instead of layer combinations because my projects are small. It has been much faster for me to redefine a view set using the Quick Layers tool than to create a new layer combo, however, the Quick Layer tool does not seem to be available for use when PlotMaker is being used.